“Preservation of the Lithuanian Armed Forces history, moulding of the historical memory is the way to foster the patriotism and public spirit of the present and future society. I am grateful to Vytautas the Great War Museum for keeping safe the history of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and national defence that are so important for the state. However, when incitement of the public spirit, materialisation of advanced ideas, engagement of the younger generation are in question, we can never have enough. This Museum not only contributed to the re-establishment of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, it managed to withstand all the years of occupation and come back again as an influential symbol of patriotism, not only for Kaunas but the whole of Lithuania,” Minister of National Arvydas Anušauskas said visiting the Museum with Vice Minister Žilvinas Tomkus on February 2 to congratulate its staff on the 100th anniversary. The guests were shown around the exhibitions, collections of weapons, press, numismatics, photographs and negatives. Museum curator Rita Malinauskiene reviewed with them strategic plans for Museum activities, discussed updating Museum exhibitions and extending them into military units.
Renamed five times, based in an old-aged building and then moved into a new one, survivor of occupation periods, Vytautas the Great Museum is now an innovative, open institution that advances in step with cutting-edge technologies and interactive advertising, there are unique educational programmes within and outside of the Museum, modern stationary and mobile exhibitions are created, the most up-to-date methods for virtual exhibiting are used. The Museum also holds events for different audiences and cooperates with the Lithuanian Armed Forces to supplement it funds.
The Museum anniversary will be celebrated all year round. The main celebration which will present the 100 years-long history of the Museum is rescheduled from February 16 to the autumn due to the lockdown. Other events will highlight various innovative exhibitions, comprehensive events, subtleties of conservation, educational activities, as well as the underlying “preserve, store, research” area of Museum activities, and more.
