Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture

Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture The Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture

Founded in 1966 in Chicago, Illinois, the Balzekas Museum is dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of Lithuanian culture. The Museum celebrates the notable achievements of Lithuanian Americans, the Lithuanian nation, and Lithuanian communities world wide.

01/17/2025

WE ARE SHARING INFORMATION ON THE LITHUANIAN LANGUAGE COURSE THIS SUMMER VIA INDIANA UNIVERSITY ON ZOOM. THE DEADLINE TO APPLY IS JANUARY 31. SHARE THE INFORMATION IF YOU KNOW PEOPLE WHO WOULD BE INTERESTED. THE LINK TO THE WEBSITE IS IN COMMENTS.

Welcome to the Lithuanian Workshop
In June and July, the BALSSI Lithuanian Program helps students develop their linguistic and cultural competency rapidly and effectively through live online instruction, extracurricular activities, authentic materials, and real-time interactions with instructors and presenters from Lithuania. Classes are conducted primarily in Lithuanian and focus on the rapid development of practical communication skills.

First taught in the Language Workshop in 1998, Lithuanian is offered as part of the Baltic Studies Summer Institute, a cooperative project of the Baltic Languages Consortium and the Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies. BALSSI combines support for the study of Baltic languages with Baltic-focused cultural events and Baltic studies. Classes are small, intimate, and customized to help students achieve their individual academic and personal Baltic-related goals.

LEARN ABOUT YOUR ANCESTORS BY DOING RESEARCH WITH THE HELP OF A PROFESSIONAL GENEALOGISTFor information, please write to...
01/10/2025

LEARN ABOUT YOUR ANCESTORS BY DOING RESEARCH WITH THE HELP OF A PROFESSIONAL GENEALOGIST
For information, please write to [email protected]
BASIC GENEALOGY MEMBERSHIP $125 PER YEAR
Membership includes one surname search and one ancestral town search. After Member submits genealogical information on his ancestor by filling out our questionnaire, the information is evaluated and further steps are suggested in order to answer the genealogical questions Member has on his ancestor.
The etymology, differences in spelling, and some grammatical features of the ancestor’s last name are explained. Places where people with the name in question used to live in Lithuania are indicated. If the location of the Member’s ancestor’s origin is known, we include the map of it. If it is not known we evaluate the possibility of finding the location and suggest what further steps should be taken to find the location and learn more about its history. A short history of the changes in the borders of Lithuania is provided.
PATRON GENEALOGY MEMBERSHIP $350 PER YEAR
The Patron Genealogy level includes all the privileges of a Basic Genealogy-level membership, PLUS up to four basic surname searches, for example, the names of four grandparents, and up to four basic ancestral town searches.
_____________________________________
The search for the church records in the Lithuanian State Historical Archive (online) is provided for a separate charge which depends on the length of the search. The search is based on availability as not all records survived and not all that survived are placed online. Only records of Catholic churches are searched. Translations into English for the records in Lithuanian, Russian, Polish, or Latin will be provided.
For more information, please write to [email protected]

BALZEKAS MUSEUM OF LITHUANIAN CULTURE LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT. LITHUANIAN LANGUAGE COURSE VIA ZOOMInstructor: Karile Vaitkut...
01/03/2025

BALZEKAS MUSEUM OF LITHUANIAN CULTURE LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT. LITHUANIAN LANGUAGE COURSE VIA ZOOM
Instructor: Karile Vaitkute
Beginners: Thursdays 6-7 pm CT
January 23-March 13, 2025: 8 classes, $225, 10% for Balzekas Museum members
March-20-27, 2025: Vacation
April 3-May 22, 2025: 8 classes, $225, 10% for Balzekas Museum members
Advanced: Tuesdays 6-7 pm CT
January 21-March 11, 2025: 8 classes, $225, 10% for Balzekas Museum members
March-18-25, 2025: Vacation
April 1-May 20, 2025: 8 classes, $225, 10% for Balzekas Museum members
TO REGISTER, please write to [email protected]

12/26/2024

LEARN ABOUT YOUR ANCESTORS BY DOING RESEARCH WITH THE HELP OF A PROFESSIONAL GENEALOGIST
For information, please write to [email protected]

BASIC GENEALOGY MEMBERSHIP $125 PER YEAR
Membership includes one surname search and one ancestral town search. After Member submits genealogical information on his ancestor by filling out our questionnaire, the information is evaluated and further steps are suggested in order to answer the genealogical questions Member has on his ancestor.
The etymology, differences in spelling, and some grammatical features of the ancestor’s last name are explained. Places where people with the name in question used to live in Lithuania are indicated. If the location of the Member’s ancestor’s origin is known, we include the map of it. If it is not known we evaluate the possibility of finding the location and suggest what further steps should be taken to find the location and learn more about its history. A short history of the changes in the borders of Lithuania is provided.
PATRON GENEALOGY MEMBERSHIP $350 PER YEAR
The Patron Genealogy level includes all the privileges of a Basic Genealogy-level membership, PLUS up to four basic surname searches, for example, the names of four grandparents, and up to four basic ancestral town searches.
_____________________________________
The search for the church records in the Lithuanian State Historical Archive (online) is provided for a separate charge which depends on the length of the search. The search is based on availability as not all records survived and not all that survived are placed online. Only records of Catholic churches are searched. Translations into English for the records in Lithuanian, Russian, Polish, or Latin will be provided.
For more information, please write to [email protected]

12/10/2024
Beata Nicholson, TV presenter, journalist and author of several cookbooks, visited the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Cul...
12/06/2024

Beata Nicholson, TV presenter, journalist and author of several cookbooks, visited the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture today and signed all her books that can be purchased in the Museum Gift Shop. Beata visited with her daughter, sister, and cousin. They were delighted to see our newest art exhibit and requested to take a picture next to the painting by Janina Monkutė Marks, who, like Beata, came from Kėdainiai.

For many decades, the Lithuanian Museum of Lithuanian Culture has decorated the Christmas Tree at Midway Airport in Chic...
11/26/2024

For many decades, the Lithuanian Museum of Lithuanian Culture has decorated the Christmas Tree at Midway Airport in Chicago. This year is no exception. Traditional Lithuanian ornaments were made by the late Mary Krauchunas. The Tree was decorated by Rita Janz and Karile Vaitkute.

We've just received new cookbooks from Lithuania. They can make a very nice Christmas gift. Beata Nicholson's TASTE LITH...
11/25/2024

We've just received new cookbooks from Lithuania. They can make a very nice Christmas gift. Beata Nicholson's TASTE LITHUANIA is the new edition first printing 2024! It has myriads of wonderful recipes. All in English. To buy this and other Lithuanian gifts, please go to our website balzekasmuseum.myshopify.com

The Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture in Chicago has been decorating its traditional Lithuanian Christmas Tree at th...
11/15/2024

The Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture in Chicago has been decorating its traditional Lithuanian Christmas Tree at the O'Hare International Airport for many decades. The tradition started by the Women's Guild of the Museum continues. This year, the ornaments that were made by the late Mary Krauchunas adorn the tree in the Rotunda area in Terminal 3 of the airport. Museum's representatives Regina Vasiliauskiene (left) and Rita Janz (right) decorated this year's tree.
Jau daug dešimtmečių trunkanti tradicija pratęsta ir šiemet. Lietuvišką Kalėdų eglutę O'Hare oro uoste Čikagoje šiemet puošė Balzeko lietuvių kultūros muziejaus atstovės Rita ir Regina.

Every year, the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture honors exceptional individuals who, through their talents, efforts...
11/14/2024

Every year, the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture honors exceptional individuals who, through their talents, efforts, and achievements, have distinguished themselves and contributed to the betterment of humanity. The Award is the highest and longest-standing civic honor of its kind outside of Lithuania. The roster of former honorees includes civic and cultural leaders, physicians, artists, scholars, diplomats, and even two Lithuanian Presidents.

Juozas Polikaitis (born November 3, 1935, in Gudžiūnai, Lithuania) is a prominent chemist, social activist, and leader in the Lithuanian-American community. He earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Detroit (1959) and a master's in metallurgical engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology (1977). After serving as an Army captain (1959-1961), he worked as a chemical engineer at Douglas Aircraft, Pyle National, EKCO Products, and Chicago-American National Can. He contributed to technical journals and gave lectures, including at Lehigh University.

Polikaitis was elected to the Board of Directors of the National Metal Decorators Association in 1990. He has also been deeply involved in Lithuanian-American cultural and social organizations, including leadership roles in the Ateitis Federation, the Ateitininkai Federation, and the U.S. Lithuanian Community Council. He served on the Council of the Lithuanian newspaper Draugas and was a member of the Lithuanian World Community Parliament (PLB Seimas).

An advocate for education, Polikaitis taught at several Lithuanian schools in Chicago and was active in the Dainava ensemble and Virgin Mary Parish.

The Award dinner, which is also the Museum's annual fundraiser, is a long-standing tradition and a much-anticipated social event of the calendar year. This year's event will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 5 p.m at the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture, 6500 S. Pulaski Rd., 60629.

Tickets are $125 per person and $200 for Patron Donors. Black tie attire is optional.

R.S.V.P. by Friday, December 3, 2024.

Register on Eventbrite: https://polikaitis2024.eventbrite.com/

The most popular music show on the Lithuanian National TV is "Duokim garo". The creators of the show are currently visit...
10/24/2024

The most popular music show on the Lithuanian National TV is "Duokim garo". The creators of the show are currently visiting the United States and filming in various locations. Today they visited the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture and interviewed the Museum President Sigita Balzekas.

10/22/2024

The Women’s Guild Mythic Feminism Curator’s Talk has been postponed

We hope this message finds you well, our women’s guild event originally scheduled for tomorrow has been postponed. We are working to reschedule and will provide a new date and time for mid-November.

We appreciate your understanding and flexibility and look forward to seeing you at the rescheduled event. Stay tuned for further updates!

Thanks for your support!

Major Exhibition at the Balzekas Museum Highlights the Legacy and Impact of 125 Years of Lithuanian Immigrant Artists in...
10/15/2024

Major Exhibition at the Balzekas Museum Highlights the Legacy and Impact of 125 Years of Lithuanian Immigrant Artists in Chicago
beLONGING: Lithuanian Artists in Chicago, 1900 to Now
Open September 29, 2024 Through May 17, 2025

The Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture announces a major exhibition showcasing over a century of art by Lithuanian immigrant artists with ties to Chicago. Three years in the making, the exhibition beLONGING: Lithuanian Artists in Chicago, 1900 to Now reveals the role and impact of these artists within Chicago’s rich cultural landscape and beyond. The first such expansive survey, beLONGING features nearly 30 artists representing three waves of immigration to Chicago and more than 115 works of art in various media, including painting, drawing, sculpture, textiles, print media, and photography, as well as rare books, video interviews, interpretative materials, and ephemera. Curated by art historian Victoria Kašuba Matranga, a native Chicagoan of Lithuanian heritage, with support from the Terra Foundation of American Art, the Lithuanian Foundation, the Lithuanian Culture Institute, the Illinois Arts Council, DCASE CityArts, and private donors, beLONGING opens on September 29, 2024, at the Balzekas Museum at 6500 South Pulaski Road, Chicago.

Drawing extensively on holdings in the Balzekas Museum’s art collection and loans from artists, private collectors, and Chicago institutions, beLONGING explores the immigrant artist’s existential dilemma: forging a life and career in the new world while reconciling with one’s past. Some sever all ties to the identity and culture they have left behind, while others carry elements forward in new work and ways. Narrated in six thematic sections—Changing Chicago, Art as Activism, Mythic Feminine: Lithuanian Women Artists, Sacral Art, and Designed in Chicago—the exhibition examines personal and cultural identity by considering how refugee status, displacement, trauma, and the process of assimilation reconfigured and ultimately enriched the artistic output of Lithuanian artists, the Chicago neighborhoods in which they lived and worked, and the city’s art scene as a whole.

As part of the Terra Foundation’s Art Design Chicago initiative, which seeks to highlight Chicago’s creative communities, beLONGING emphasizes the interaction between Lithuanians and their adopted communities, as well as the businesses, churches, galleries, and schools, through which the immigrant artists re-established their lives on this side of the Atlantic. The exhibition also explores how Lithuanian artists influenced and integrated into Chicago’s diverse cultural landscape. Timely, in light of the global refugee crisis and the implications for Chicago as a self-proclaimed sanctuary city, beLONGING delves into the emotional, practical, artistic, socio-political, and psychological stakes that define the complex process of building a new life—and a new community and identity—in a foreign country from the perspective of immigrant artists who lived the experience.

These photos are from the exhibition opening.

So many of the Balzekas Museum Genealogy Members started their explanation about their family history this way: my grand...
09/30/2024

So many of the Balzekas Museum Genealogy Members started their explanation about their family history this way: my grandparents came from Vilno or My grandparents came from Kovno believing that they came from the cities of Kaunas or Vilnius. After we did the genealogy search, it turned out they were not from the cities of Vilnius or Kaunas but from some villages in the Vilnius or Kaunas Governorates. This mistake might have come from some immigration records, ship passenger lists where the ancestors said they lived in Kovno gubernia (governorate) or Vilnius gubernia and it was recorded as Kovno gub. or Vilno gub. or just simply Kowno or Vilno. The word "gubernia" was omitted as it was understood that it meant not the city but the governorate. If we look at the map of Lithuania before World War One, the time when many Lithuanian immigrants came to the US, we will see that Lithuanian land was divided into three parts - three big provinces or gubernias: Kaunas, Vilnius, and Suwalki. They in turn also were divided into smaller districts. Immigrants might have also mentioned that they were from one or another district naming the district seat but that did not mean they were from that town either. A thorough investigation always needs to be done before jumping to conclusions. If you need help, please write to our genealogist, Karile Vaitkute at [email protected].

Address

6500 S Pulaski Road
Chicago, IL
60629

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm

Telephone

+17735826500

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture:

Share

Category