Miniature diorama Paris

Music, books & Arts

Dalia's family home was a welcoming place filled with music, books, and theater programs, fostering her interest in the arts. This supportive environment helped her develop a love for theater, which she enjoyed sharing with her father during their outings to performances. She traveled often to attend performances in various Lithuanian towns and even Moscow. In addition to her passion for music, she was an avid reader, particularly drawn to Russian classics, with Fyodor Dostoevsky being a favorite. When she was arrested, Dalia was told to pack her most important belongings and chose to take the programs of the plays with her into exile. Read more...

“I remember my thirteenth birthday perfectly. There were just the four girlfriends. Mum had prepared the table with all kinds of tortes and sweets. But the girls were shy and wouldn't eat. Mum would urge them to try one thing or another, but they would only answer, 'No, thanks, I'm fine. Thank you.' Yet no sooner did Mum leave the room than the tortes vanished in seconds, and all that remained were the sweet wrappers in the vases. When she returned, there was very little left on the table - instead there was icing on our chins and chocolate on our lips. It had not taken much urging. When my friends finally left, Dad walked quietly into the room. He gave me a kiss and, putting his arm around me, joined me at the open window. I can still remember what he said. 'Life, Dalia, isn't all fun and games. Life is a battle. Prepare for it. You don't want to be a scaredy cat.' After a short pause, he added, 'What I'm trying to say, dear girl, is never betray your conscience.' I looked up at him: his face was lit by the last rays of the sun, his eyes were moist and his lips trembled. He wanted to say more. But the world smelt of blossoms. I remember thinking, no, life is beautiful, not hard, and it will always be like a splendid dream. I couldn't imagine life being anything but magical.“ (from the book "Shadows on the Tundra")

"I remember my thirteenth birthday perfectly. There were just the four girlfriends. Mum had prepared the table with all kinds of tortes and sweets. But the girls were shy and wouldn't eat. Mum would urge them to try one thing or another, but they would only answer, 'No, thanks, I'm fine. Thank you.' Yet no sooner did Mum leave the room than the tortes vanished in seconds, and all that remained were the sweet wrappers in the vases. When she returned, there was very little left on the table - instead there was icing on our chins and chocolate on our lips. It had not taken much urging. When my friends finally left, Dad walked quietly into the room. He gave me a kiss and, putting his arm around me, joined me at the open window. I can still remember what he said. 'Life, Dalia, isn't all fun and games. Life is a battle. Prepare for it. You don't want to be a scaredy cat.' After a short pause, he added, 'What I'm trying to say, dear girl, is never betray your conscience.' I looked up at him: his face was lit by the last rays of the sun, his eyes were moist and his lips trembled. He wanted to say more. But the world smelt of blossoms. I remember thinking, no, life is beautiful, not hard, and it will always be like a splendid dream. I couldn't imagine life being anything but magical.“ (from the book "Shadows on the Tundra" by Dalia Grinkevičiutė(

Chairs & Table

For our exhibition in Paris, we are proud to showcase original miniature furniture from Lithuania, hand-crafted by the legendary designer Jonas Prapuolenis before World War II. This particular chair, presented in its original size, earned him a gold medal at the 1937 World Exhibition in Paris. In fact, several pieces made by Jonas Prapuolenis, including a bed and several chairs, were actually in the Grinkeviciai family home. Read more...

Antanas Šabaniauskas

If you turn up the volume on your device, you'll hear a popular interwar Lithuanian song "Saulėtas Rytas" by Antanas Šabaniauskas (1903–1987), one of the most sought-after performers of the era. His six-decade career saw a large number of his records circulating throughout Lithuania. Šabaniauskas performed with Moishe Hofmekler’s orchestra, Alfonsas Mikulskis’ vocal octet, and sang in the State Theatre Opera choir, as well as on radio broadcasts and in concerts across the country.

His success inspired composers like Kajetonas Leipus, Juozas Bankas, and others to create music for the small stage. Šabaniauskas recorded 64 works (32 LPs) in London and Copenhagen, performing foreign hits mostly in Lithuanian. Read more...

Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis

M. K. Čiurlionis (1875–1911) was a Lithuanian composer, painter, and visionary, and one of the most important figures in Lithuanian culture. His work uniquely blended music and visual art, as he often saw his compositions as "painted symphonies" and his paintings as "visual music." Influenced by Symbolism and Art Nouveau, Čiurlionis' art and music evoke mystical, dreamlike worlds. His paintings, known for their ethereal landscapes and cosmic themes, and his musical compositions, which merged national folk elements with modernist trends, both reflect his deep connection to Lithuanian identity. Though he died young, Čiurlionis' legacy endures as a symbol of Lithuania’s cultural renaissance and as a pioneer who transcended artistic boundaries. Read more...

LITHUANIAN ART DECO

I crafted this miniature armchair, inspired by real furniture from interwar Kaunas, Lithuania’s temporary capital. Kaunas' Art Deco furniture and architecture were not mere replicas of French or American styles, but rather a unique blend that reflected local craftsmanship and design. Today, Kaunas' interwar architecture is celebrated for its cultural heritage, with ongoing efforts for UNESCO World Heritage status. Read more...

Lithuanian heritage Carpet

This handmade carpet draws inspiration from the renowned Lithuanian artist and carpet maker Antanas Tamošaitis, the first professional textile artist of independent Lithuania. Tamošaitis' carpets, celebrated for their intricate patterns and vibrant colors, were more than just functional items; they became powerful symbols of Lithuanian heritage. His work played a crucial role in elevating textiles from craft to high art, significantly contributing to Lithuania's cultural renaissance. Read more…