Kaunas is a true treasure chest of modernism: only the characteristic gray of this city has become a business card

The National Agency for the Promotion of Tourism “Travel in Lithuania” together with the team “Kaunas – European Capital of Culture 2022” and the tourist information center of the city “Kaunas IN” invites you to get acquainted with Kaunas modernism: architectural style , born in the interwar period and who gave the city a unique face.

The Travel in Lithuania team, which this year presented to tourists the communication campaign of the Lithuanian tourism brand Real is Beautiful, which revolves around unique colors exclusive to Lithuania, today shares a video about the third color: the gray of the Kaunas modernism, which not only reflects the granite buildings of the interwar period. the color of the plaster, but it also symbolizes the creative potential of the city.

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 abroad and in Lithuania, combining prevailing trends in European cities and Lithuanian architectural tradition, donated more than 6,000 buildings to the city, which can be inspected so far. Most have plaster-clad facades, curved shapes, minimalist solutions and large, bright spaces.

“When creating the Lithuanian color campaign, we thought about what is Lithuanian for us and what can attract the attention of foreign tourists. Kaunas modernism and its gray color have been added to 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 heritage conservationist “Kaunas – European Capital of Culture 2022” also supports I. Valentoniene. 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 which European countries where our architects studied had a cultural and visual influence on the buildings designed in Lithuania. And this is what connects us with others, ”says Ž. Ring.

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, so for some time architecture tried to create a so-called “national style”. Later it was limited to more subtle elements of decoration or decoration, which can still be explored in Kaunas.

According to Ž. The brightest objects in the ring, reflecting national details, are the Kaunas central postal floor and 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 on doors, railings, floor patterns, and other design elements.

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, so the object is still full of interwar authenticity.

The young entrepreneurs did not hesitate to undertake another project: restoration work on an apartment in an expressive art deco style located in the house of M. Posvianskis and H. Klisas, Vytautas Avenue. 2017 in this house, businessmen 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.

Another priceless building is the J. Tonkūnas villa built in Kaunas in the later period, just before the start of WWII. During the war, the village became the Consulate of Japan, where the Vice Consul Č. Sugihara. This Japanese diplomat, without the blessing of power, issued more than 6,000 Japanese transit visas to Jews fleeing 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. Iljinų 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 not-so-old renovated building features an unusual composition of windows, an impressive staircase, and a preserved Art Deco interior.

Modernism for the future Coordinator Ž. Rinkšelis mentions other notable, though less well-known, examples of interwar architecture: the Vatican nunciature, which later became the children’s hospital, the Land Bank, the officers’ club, which became the center of culture, the Žaliakalnis funicular still on the hill. with a 63 m high tower and the Romuva cinema, which still fulfills its original function, and rejoices that interwar architecture inspires the modern generation of creators and is thus reborn for a second life.

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The National Agency for Tourism Promotion “Travel in Lithuania” encourages you to travel responsibly and follow the government’s recommendations: wear protective masks, observe hygiene etiquette and safe social distance.