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Be sure not to miss the ongoing Hope & Spirit series of exhibitions and events at the Balzekas Museum from June, 18 to October 22, 2011
BALZEKAS MUSEUM OF LITHUANIAN CULTURE
 
6500 S. PULASKI ROAD CHICAGO, IL 60629
 
TEL.: 773.582.6500
FAX:773.582.5133
 
info@balzekasmuseum.org
 
Open 10 AM - 4 PM daily
Except Christmas, Easter and New Year's Day
 

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Exhibitions


Lithuania Through the Ages

Baltic Amber with embedded ant - Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture
Baltic amber with
embedded ant

The main exhibit transports visitors through centuries of fascinating events in the history of a country, which during the Middle Ages was one of the largest and most influential in all of Europe.  Visitors can supplement their knowledge of Lithuania watching a film on Lithuanian culture, history, and present times in the Museum's Audio-Visual Room.

Children's Museum

The mission and goal of the Children's Museum is to offer children and their families an environment where they learn about medieval history and the folk culture of rural 19th century Lithuania. More...

The Women's Guild Room

The Women's Guild Room contains beautifully displayed Lithuanian costumes, amber jewelry, textiles, dolls, folk art and an exhibition featuring outstanding women who greatly contributed to the history and culture of Lithuania. More...

 

War after War


War After War bannerWar After War: Armed Anti-Soviet Resistance in Lithuania in 1944 - 1953 recounts the crimes of the Soviet occupation and the fate of Lithuanian freedom fighters and victims of Soviet genocide.  Although one of the biggest and longest guerilla wars in 20th-century Europe, the war fought by Lithuanian partisans is still largely unknown, due to the suppression of information by Soviet authorities.  From 1940 - 1958, the Soviets imprisoned over 200,000 Lithuanian residents. Many of them became disabled or died from starvation, exhaustion, and disease, in places of exile and imprisonment. Over 50,000 were directly engaged in the guerilla war.  The Soviet occupation lasted from 1944 - 1993, when the last Russian troops withdrew from Lithuania.

War After War combines material from The Museum of Genocide Victims in Vilnius, Lithuania and the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture. The exhibition is made of banners showcasing aspects of the partisan war; the military organization; every-day life and activities of fighters; photographs and documents from the period of the guerilla war; and articles documenting the lives of some freedom fighters and their deported family members.  Artifacts from the Balzekas Museum's collections, such as uniforms, books, patriotic sculptures, and flags supplement the exhibition.

Fine Art

Numerous distinguished local and international artists have been featured in the Museum's exhibitions. Over the years, works my major Lithuanian artists have been added to the Museum's collection. The Museum is a proud sponsor of Lithuanian art in Chicago.


Valeska Stained Glass

The third floor Gallery of the Balzekas Museum is used for exhibitions and concerts. The focal point of this room is a magnificent stained glass window by Lithuanian artist Adolfas Valeška (1905 - 1994).  More...