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In the press release, the “Travel in Lithuania” team shares a video clip about the gray of Kaunas modernism, which not only reflects the granite plaster color typical of interwar buildings, but also symbolizes the creative potential of the city.
VIDEO: Kaunas Modernism. Explore inspiration.
The ideas of modernism spread in Lithuania after WWI and further influenced Kaunas, which became the temporary capital at that time. Lithuanian architects who graduated in foreign countries and Lithuania, combining the prevailing trends in European cities and the Lithuanian architectural tradition, donated more than 6,000 buildings to the city, which so far can be inspected. Most have plaster-clad facades, curved shapes, minimalist solutions and large, bright spaces.
“When creating the Lithuanian color campaign, we thought about what Lithuania is for us and what can attract the attention of foreign tourists. Kaunas modernism and its gray color have dropped onto our list without much hesitation, as it reflects the twists and turns of Lithuanian history and Lithuania’s creative energy, as well as, of course, openness to ideas and interaction with the world, ”says Inga, Head of Marketing in Lithuania. Valentine has.
Modernism and traditions
Žilvinas Rinkšelis, coordinator of the “Modernism for the Future” program, historian and curator of heritage, also supports the representative of “Travel in Lithuania”. According to him, the architecture of modernism basically shapes the face of Kaunas and sets it apart from others.
“More than once we have heard from foreign guests that Kaunas will not be confused with other Lithuanian cities. Of course, similar buildings, their shapes, details and other accents can be seen all over the world and in other parts of Lithuania, because modernism has manifested itself everywhere. From this we can see that the countries where our architects studied had a cultural and visual influence on the buildings designed in European Lithuania. And this is what connects us with others, ”says Ž. Rinkšelis.
However, the historian emphasizes that the young and independent Lithuania, which was formed after the First World War, sought not only to modernize, but also to present a unique national culture to the world, which is why architecture has been trying to create a so-called “national style” for some time. Later it was limited to more subtle elements of decoration or decoration, which can still be explored in Kaunas.
According to Ž.Rinkšelis, the most striking objects, reflecting national details, are the Kaunas floor and central postal operations room, the Vytautas art gallery of the officers’ chamber and the president’s room. Numerous smaller examples can be found in a variety of decorations and trims for doors, railings, floor patterns and other design elements.
Photo by Indrė Bungardaitė / 15min / M. y A. Prussian House
Walls that have preserved history
The historian claims that Kaunas is a living museum with thousands of objects of modernism in the open air. According to him, each of them is interesting not only in an architectural but also a historical sense. Public buildings often mark important aspects of the history of politics or statehood, while private buildings represent everyday personal stories of the time.
The apartment bought by the young entrepreneurs K.Banis and P. Gaidamavičius was restored in the house of Dr. P. Gudavičius on Gedimino Street. Valuable original details have been revealed during the works, therefore the object is still full of interwar authenticity. Young entrepreneurs did not hesitate to take up another project – an apartment located in the house of M. Posvianskis and H. Klisas, Vytautas Avenue, which has an expressive art deco style, restoration work. 2017 in this house, entrepreneurs revived the spirit of the time and began to organize private excursions, and in 2018 the film crew of the series “Chernobyl” entered the apartment.
Photo of Karolis Banis / P. Gudavičius House, Gedimino str. 48
Another priceless building is the J. Tonkūnas villa built in Kaunas in the later period, just before the start of World War II. During the war, the village became a consulate of Japan, where Vice Consul C. Sugihara also worked. This Japanese diplomat, without the blessing of power, expelled more than 6,000 Japanese Jews in transit because of the horrors of war, saving thousands of lives. At that time, more than a hundred war refugees crossed the thresholds of the building located on Vaižganto Street.
The house of J. and A. Iljinai located on K. Donelaičio street certainly attracts attention. Although historically this building has not been of great importance, architecturally it still amazes passersby today. The oldest renovated building has an unusual composition of windows, an impressive staircase and a art deco inside.
Photo by Laura Žičkutė / J. and A. Ilyin House
Ž. Rinkšelis, coordinator of Modernism for the Future, mentions other notable, though lesser-known, examples of interwar architecture: the Vatican Nunciature, which later became the children’s hospital, the Land Bank, the Officers’ Center, the funicular, the Church of the Resurrection on the hill with a 63 m high tower and the Romuva cinema, which still serves its original function, and they are happy that the interwar architecture inspires the modern generation of creators and is reborn in a second Life.
Indrė Bungardaitė / 15min photo / House of Soldier A. Sliesoraitis
Lack of inspiration? More information here.
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