Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture

07/17/2023

Prof. Dr. Renaldas Gudauskas, Director-General of the National Library of Lithuania visited the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture and discussed the possibilities of future cooperation between the Library and the Museum.

07/10/2023

Come visit the virtual reality film "Trails of Angels" at the Balzekas Museum.

Trail of Angels, invites You to get acquainted with 60 famous, and some less-known paintings by Čiurlionis, including: Serenity, Angels, The Altar, The Angel, News and The Sun.

06/29/2023

New items in our Gift Shop!

Perfect Gifts for individuals who are of Lithuanian heritage or who have close friends and family with Lithuanian roots. It is also a great way to display Lithuanian pride.

Visit our website: https://balzekasmuseum.myshopify.com/
or call us at: 773-582-6500

06/26/2023

06/22/2023

https://balzekasmuseum.org/plays/

A Presentation of a Collection of PLAYS by Gabrielė Labanauskaitė We invite you to a meeting with playwright Gabriele Labanauskaitė and director Greta Štiormer, coming from Vilnius, Lithuania. During this meeting, the authors and the audience will present excerpts from Gabriele Labanauskaite’s...

06/21/2023

The bestselling cookbook is back in stock!

This book provides a comprehensive source of information for those interested in Lithuanian culture and cuisine. But it's not just the recipes that make this cookbook a must-have - it's the story behind it. Professor Libertas Klimka is known in Lithuania as an expert on Baltic cosmology and calendar customs. He presents a number of interesting facts in relation to how Lithuanians celebrate the most important festivals across the year and which customs they follow during traditional wedding and baptism celebrations. His writing is accompanied by eighty traditional Lithuanian recipes.

Quantities are limited, so be quick and get yours in before they sell out!

Order Today:
https://balzekasmuseum.myshopify.com/products/lithuanian_cuisine_traditional_holidays_and_food?fbclid=IwAR0ACPz6MByj1_jJDsrIpKcKjSbp3ybu7aYQNHkTn3W7nY9K66RpMrULpzI

06/16/2023

https://balzekasmuseum.org/plays/

06/16/2023

Join us on June 25th!

A Presentation of a Collection of PLAYS by Gabrielė Labanauskaitė We invite you to a meeting with playwright Gabriele Labanauskaitė and director Greta Štiormer, coming from Vilnius, Lithuania. During this meeting, the authors and the audience will present excerpts from Gabriele Labanauskaite’s...

06/15/2023

Just another day at the Lithuanian Museum. :) Unwrapping a gift - a painting by Antanas Rūkštelė.

06/10/2023

06/08/2023

Nauja Knyga!

Knygoje rasite 15 kulinarinių kelionių po Lietuvą. Susipažinsite su gražiausiomis Lietuvos vietovėmis, sužinosite, kokių tradicinių valgių verta paskanauti skirtinguose Lietuvos regionuose, kur galima išmokti pasigaminti skirtingomis vietovėms būdingų patiekalų. Paskaitysite, ką apie savo gimtąsias vietas kalba įžymūs žmonės, kokius tradicinius valgius jie mėgsta.

Daugiau informacijos: https://balzekasmuseum.myshopify.com/products/kulinarines-keliones

06/05/2023

Please check out our upcoming events: a virtual reality film Trail of Angels based on Čiurlionis paintings (this Friday) and a Bus tour of Chicago Lithuanian historical sites and landmarks (this Saturday, In English)

This program is sponsored in part by members and donors of the Balzekas Museum as well as the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events through a CityArts grant. The Museum gratefully acknowledges all contributors.

06/05/2023

The definitive tour of the historic neighborhoods and landmarks where Chicago Lithuanians lived, worked, played, and prayed for 150 years

06/01/2023

A good opportunity for everyone who is interested in the history of Chicago Lithuanians. Don't forget to sign up!

The definitive tour of the historic neighborhoods and landmarks where Chicago Lithuanians lived, worked, played, and prayed for 150 years

05/26/2023

Join us on June 10 for a tour with an English-speaking guide!

The definitive tour of the historic neighborhoods and landmarks where Chicago Lithuanians lived, worked, played, and prayed for 150 years

05/24/2023

Don't miss this opportunity! Join us with an English-speaking tour guide!

The definitive tour of the historic neighborhoods and landmarks where Chicago Lithuanians lived, worked, played, and prayed for 150 years

05/22/2023

On May 21, 2023, upon the invitation of the Balzekas Museum Board Member and Beverly Shores Lithuanian Club Chairman Marius Kasniunas, the Museum's Genealogy Department Chair Karile Vaitkute visited the Lithuanian community in Beverly Shores, Indiana where she spoke about the Museum's Genealogy Department's services and the importance of writing and preserving family histories of Lithuanian Americans. Every third Sunday f the month, Lithuanians from around Beverly Shores come together for the Sunday Mass celebrated in the Lithuanian language at St. Ann's church. Lithuanians built the church in 1955. The church also serves as a community center.
As a reminder, the Museum collects family histories and documents. If you have written your family history, the Museum would appreciate a copy. For more information, please contact Karile Vaitkute at [email protected].

05/16/2023

Gifts for Coin Collectors!

Shop unique and authentic collectible coins including silver coins, mint sets, coin holders and more.

Visit our website: https://balzekasmuseum.myshopify.com/products/fifty_litas_xxvi_olympic_games_in_atlanta
https://balzekasmuseum.myshopify.com/products/fifty_litas_coin_dedicated_to_panemune_castle
https://balzekasmuseum.myshopify.com/products/1991-coin-set-of-the-republic-of-lithuania
https://balzekasmuseum.myshopify.com/products/lithuania_2003_official_mint_set_6pcs
https://balzekasmuseum.myshopify.com/products/lithuanian_coin_holder

05/10/2023

Back in stock! Calling all cooking lovers!

The book, “Lithuanian Cuisine. Traditional Holidays and Food”, is intended for anyone who is interested in the national traditions of Lithuania, or in upholding those traditions, and who is looking for traditional food recipes.
But it's not just the recipes that make this cookbook a must-have - it's the story behind it. Professor Libertas Klimka is known in Lithuania as an expert on Baltic cosmology and calendar customs. He presents a number of interesting facts in relation to how Lithuanians celebrate the most important festivals across the year and which customs they follow during traditional wedding and baptism celebrations. His writing is accompanied by eighty traditional Lithuanian recipes.

Order today: https://balzekasmuseum.myshopify.com/products/lithuanian_cuisine_traditional_holidays_and_food

05/04/2023

On May 4, 2023, two authors from Lithuania, Nijolė Kliukaitė-Kepenienė and Daiva Molytė-Lukauskienė, visited the Balzekas Museum accompanied by Valdas Aušra, pastor at Zion Lithuanian Evangelical Lutheran Church. The writers donated their latest books to the Museum library.

05/04/2023

Just in time for Mother's Day. With Mother's Day in Lithuania on Sunday, May 7th and in the United States on the 14th. It's not too late to get that perfect gift for your mom at the Museum Gift Shop. We are currently offering six different Gift Sets, we're certain you will find just what you're looking for. Order on-line quickly to get them shipped in time for Mother's Day or stop in at the Gift Shop at 6500 S. Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL today to pick yours up today. Please call ahead if coming in so that we can be sure to have ample supply available when you arrive as each gift set is put together to order. Don't see something you like in the photos below, come in and select your own items and we will package them for you on the spot. The gift shop can be reached at 1.773.582.6500. Hours Monday-Saturday 10am to 4:00pm and Sunday, Noon to 4:00pm. Hope to see you soon!

05/03/2023

BACK IN STOCK!

An Illustrated History of Lithuania. From the Prehistoric Balts to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
Author: Ignas Kapleris
To purchase, please visit https://balzekasmuseum.myshopify.com/products/an-illustrated-history-of-lithuania-from-the-prehistoric-balts-to-the-grand-duchy-of-lithuania-and-the-polish-lithuanian-commonwealth-volume-i

Book Description:
Evocative descriptions that bring past events to life, hundreds of maps, timelines, genealogies, diagrams, battle plans, visual and written sources, biographies of the famous, historical concepts, and little-known fascinating facts of Lithuanian history, the two-volume Illustrated History of Lithuania written by Dr. Ignas Kapleris has it all. The first volume covers the period of the nation's development from the Baltic tribes of prehistory and the creation of a state in the 13th century to the fall of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1795. The second will cover the period of the modern state's formation - the events of the 19th-21* centuries from the incorporation into the Russian Empire to interwar independence (First Republic), the Soviet era, and the present- day current events of the Second Republic of Lithuania.

05/03/2023

On May 1, 2023, Lithuania's Minister of Education, Science and Sports Jurgita Šiugždinienė, Lithuania's Consul General in Chicago Sigrida Mulevičienė, and attache Julijonas Matukas visited the Balzekas Museum and met with the Museum's President Sigita Balzekas and Museum's staff: librarian Jolanta Taras, genealogist and language instructor Karilė Vaitkutė, registrar Regina Vasiliauskienė, and administrative assistant Julius Sriubėnas.

04/26/2023

Naujiena! Stalo žaidimai – laiko patikrintas įdomaus laisvalaikio leidimo būdas, tinkantis tiek dviems asmenims, tiek draugų būriui. Išbandykite šiuos žaidimus, kurie tiks vaikams ir suaugusiems.

 „Lietuvos istorija. Datos“– puiki proga praplėsti savo žinias apie svarbius Lietuvos istorijos įvykius. Žaidžiant teks pasukti galvą ir prisiminti, kuriais metais buvo sudaryta Liublino unija ar atidarytas Vilniaus universitetas. Dėliokite Lietuvos istorijos įvykius į laiko gijas ir išgyvenkite mūsų valstybės istoriją nuo pirmojo Lietuvos vardo paminėjimo iki šių dienų. 3 smagūs žaidimai vienoje dėžutėje padės lengvai įsiminti svarbiausių istorinių Lietuvos įvykių datas. Žaidimą sudaro: 105 metų kotrelės su daugiau nei 200 reikšmingų įvykių, 1 laiko kortelė “Pirmyn/atgal”, 4 krypties kortelės.

 Visa Lietuva - žaidimas, kurį žaisdami pasitikrinsite savo žinias, o taip pat sužinosite daug įdomios informacijos apie Lietuvos gyvenimą. Visa Lietuva žaidimo tikslas – keliaujant po Lietuvos regionus atsakyti į klausimus apie Lietuvos gamtą, kultūrą, lankytinas vietas, geografiją, istoriją. Visa Lietuva žaidimo žemėlapyje rasite daugiau kaip keturiasdešimt unikalių lankytinų Lietuvos vietų piešinių. Žaidimo rinkinyje yra: žaidimo laukas, 100 klausimų kortelių, 8 žaidimo bokšteliai, žaidimo kubelis, žaidimo taisyklės.

Apsilankykite mūsų svetainėje ir įsigykite norimus stalo žaidimus:
https://balzekasmuseum.myshopify.com/products/zaidimas-lietuvos-istorija-datos
https://balzekasmuseum.myshopify.com/products/stalo-zaidimas-visa-lietuva

04/19/2023

Check out this new book in our Gift Shop! An Illustrated History of Lithuania. From the Prehistoric Balts to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth

We live in the 21st century surrounded by modern digital technologies that are changing the conventional understanding of books. This book, with its many illustrations, maps, and excerpts from primary sources, is also different. Its genre should perhaps be called a cocktail of history that combines image and word, academic knowledge and journalism, and various episodes and themes, past and present. Readers will find everything here: watershed events in Lithuanian history, epoch-making victories, equally important cultural achievements, episodes and curiosities of everyday life, and great men and women. Almost every topic involves the history of Vilnius, Lithuania's capital.
The first volume covers the period of the nation's development from the Baltic tribes of prehistory and the creation of a state in the 13th century to the fall of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1795.
The second will cover the period of the modern state's formation - the events of the 19th -21st centuries from the incorporation into the Russian Empire to interwar independence (First Republic), the Soviet era, and the present- day current events of the Second Republic of Lithuania.

We are confident that this lavishly illustrated publication will be of great interest to both experts and all who wish to explore Lithuanian cultural heritage.
Shop Online: https://balzekasmuseum.myshopify.com/products/an-illustrated-history-of-lithuania-from-the-prehistoric-balts-to-the-grand-duchy-of-lithuania-and-the-polish-lithuanian-commonwealth-volume-i?_pos=1&_psq=an+ill&_ss=e&_v=1.0

04/10/2023

A Lecture in Lithuanian by Prof. Giedrius Subačius on his most recent book: Simono Daukanto Orthografija (19th Century)

04/07/2023

The staff of the Balzekas Museum is getting ready for Easter.
Su Šventom Velykom!

03/29/2023

On Saturday after Easter, April 15 at 2 pm UIC Prof. Giedrius Subačius will talk about Simonas Daukantas and his orthography. Please join us. The lecture is free of charge, parking is in the back of the Museum building. Come early and visit Museum exhibits and gift shop.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/book-talk-in-lithuanian-prof-g-subacius-on-simonas-daukantas-orthography-tickets-560111938887

A Lecture in Lithuanian by Prof. Giedrius Subačius on his most recent book: Simono Daukanto Orthografija (19th Century)

03/27/2023

New T-shirt in our Gift Shop!
Featuring Adolfas Valeška's stained glass window, which is a part of the Balzekas Museum's collection.
A great present for Lithuanian descent and those who have Lithuanian family/friends, or to show love for Lithuania.
Currently available in our Gift Shop and online.
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL.
Order details: https://balzekasmuseum.myshopify.com/products/balzekas-museum-vytis-t-shirt-short-sleeve

03/25/2023

Easter egg decorating class with Don and Kathy Astras at the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture in Chicago on March 25, 2023.
The Easter egg etching class at the Balzekas Lithuanian Cultural Museum in Chicago is always popular. After working at the museum for more than a quarter of a century I have come to the decision that third or fourth-generation Lithuanian Americans are very much interested in culinary and ethnographic heritage. They will always turn up if there is an opportunity to eat kugelis, decorate an Easter egg or make a Christmas tree straw ornament. For many, it is associated with their childhood experiences in their families, and they want to pass these experiences on to their children. This time, a huge crowd of more than fifty participants gathered for the egg-printing lesson with Don Astras. It was a very motley crowd - from old to young. It is not just age. It is also varied in terms of nationality, place of residence, and links to the museum itself. There was a woman who was born in the museum building. As soon as she walked in, she said: I was born here. And it's true that before the museum moved into this building in 1986, it was a hospital. There was another woman who said that her relative had donated the museum some of his artwork and a shoot of the Stelmužė oak, the oldest living oak tree in Lithuania. And it is true that the oak tree, which has been growing for 33 years now next to the Museum, is the "child" of the Stelmužė oak tree, which was given to the museum by the painter Vytautas Virkau. There were people who have come not only from Chicago and its suburbs but also from St. Louis, Cincinnati, Grand Rapids - cities from which the journey takes between 3 and 8 hours. There was a family with six children, who not only decorated Easter eggs but also became members of the museum and visited all the exhibitions. There was a family, half of whom are Chinese. There was a relative of Vincas Kudirka, the author of the Lithuanian National Anthem, who said she was writing a book about her family history and promised to donate a copy to the Museum's Genealogy Department. And at the next table, there was a Polish woman asking me if I really wanted to take a picture of her. There was a 12-year-old girl, decorating an egg with a battery-powered engraver surprisingly quickly and beautifully, and writing "good fortune" on the egg in Chinese. And another mixed family, a daughter with some Native American blood, who drew skulls on her pale pink egg. And young children sitting at another table who spoke Lithuanian fluently. Diversity, fusion, and intermingling of customs and cultures... So typical for America.

03/22/2023

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/book-talk-in-lithuanian-prof-g-subacius-on-simonas-daukantas-orthography-tickets-560111938887

A Lecture in Lithuanian by Prof. Giedrius Subačius on his most recent book: Simono Daukanto Orthografija (19th Century)

03/22/2023

The names of the people on the lists of those to be deported are published

The Lithuanian Special Archive has published the names of people who were included in the lists of persons scheduled for deportation in 1941 and 1945-1953 on the website "Electronic Surname Archive" (https://lyapavardes.archyvai.lt). These lists are kept in the archive of the Information Centre of the Ministry of the Interior of the Lithuanian SSR (MVD), archive fund No V-135, in the Activity Files, folder No 7.

The lists kept in the archive are incomplete and some lists contain little information. Of the lists drawn up in 1941, only the lists of persons to be deported from the cities of Vilnius and Kaunas and the districts of Mažeikiai and Utena have survived. Little information can be found in the lists compiled by county in 1945-1948. Some lists contain only the data of the heads of the families to be deported, others contain the data of all family members, but some profile data (year of birth, place of birth, etc.) are missing. In some districts, e.g. For some counties, such as Vilkaviškis, there are no lists at all. Lists compiled in 1949 and later contain much more information. The lists are arranged by county, and in some counties, communes are distinguished. The lists include not only the head of the family, but also all other members of the family who lived together and farmed together, their year of birth or age, and place of residence. In 1950-1953, the lists were drawn up in accordance with the new administrative division of the Lithuanian SSR, according to oblasts and districts. The lists for this period contain almost all the information on the composition of the families to be deported, as well as the profiles of all the family members. It should be mentioned that the lists drawn up in 1941 and 1945-1948 practically do not mention children. In the lists drawn up after 1949, children are already mentioned: in the lists of some districts from the age of one year, and in the lists of others from the age of three.

The lists of persons to be deported have been digitized and are publicly available so that if a person's name is found in the Electronic Archive of Surnames, the list on which he or she appears can be consulted in the Digital Reading Room of the Electronic Archive's information system (https://eais.archyvai.lt/repo-ext), where the documents can be read without restriction.

03/17/2023

The complete top 100 countdown: https://www.tasteatlas.com/100-best-rated-dumplings-in-the-world

03/15/2023

Shop Grateful Dead 1996 Lithuania Olympics Basketball Tie Dye Short or Long Sleeve T-Shirt!
For more details, visit our website: https://balzekasmuseum.myshopify.com/products/grateful-dead-1996-lithuania-olympics-basketball-tie-dye-long-sleeve-t-shirt
https://balzekasmuseum.myshopify.com/products/grateful-dead-1996-lithuania-olympics-basketball-tie-dye-t-shirt