This year, Lithuania commemorates the 150th birth anniversary of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis. A long list of events, ongoing discussions about their content, new publications, and symbolic gestures – all of this serves as both a backdrop and an impetus to remember and rediscover this genius.
We don’t attempt to sound original when we note that Čiurlionis’ work has transcended time and become an integral part of Lithuanian identity. So, rather than resisting the prevailing sentiment, we delve into the Čiurlionis phenomenon in springtime Kaunas, seeking to prove that a genius never dies and that his legacy continues to resonate even 114 years after his passing.
Egidijus Stancikas, the chairman of the M. K. Čiurlionis Society in Kaunas, aptly observes that Čiurlionis is the shortest bridge to self, others, and spiritual values. His work invites us to turn back to idealism and symbols of light that help us cultivate the radiance of our spirit. And the British curator Kathleen Soriano, inviting us to the exhibition From Amber to the Stars. Together with M. K. Čiurlionis: Now and Then – which is a must-see for every culture enthusiast this year – offers a fresh look at Čiurlionis and an appreciation of the relevance and universality of his work, which bridges the past and present.
In this issue: from real and virtual journeys through Čiurlionis-like Kaunas and intimate conversations with his great-grandson Džiugas Palukaitis, who safeguards family relics in Sofija Kymantaitė-Čiurlionienė’s house, to musicologists’ insights on interpreting unfinished works and pianist Monika Lozinskienė’s personal letter to Čiurlionis, sent in preparation for her tour in Scotland. The articles reveal different worlds, each reflecting Čiurlionis’ presence. Time and again, the universal brilliance of the artist astounds: music, painting, and literature merging into a harmonious whole.
With the approval of the Lithuanian Writers’ Union publishing house, we are delighted to include Čiurlionis’ own prose in this issue. Earlier this year, a new edition of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis. Žodžio kūryba, compiled by V. Landsbergis, was released; we encourage you to explore it as well. Of course, you must have noticed that for such a special occasion, we selected an extraordinary illustration for the magazine cover: Rex II, the second painting from M. K. Čiurlionis’ early series, Rex, created in 1904/5. We extend our gratitude to the National M. K. Čiurlionis Art Museum for making this possible and for inspiring the preparation of this issue.
