OPENING OF THE POSTER EXHIBITION: Lithuanian Americans Celebrate Their Native Land in the 20th Century

Native Land in the 20th Century"

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
Lithuanian American communities, many founded in the late 1800s, continued to grow culturally, socially, and politically in the twentieth century.  As they established schools, churches, businesses, organizations, and deepened their ties and fortunes in the United States, Lithuanian Americans also remained committed to their homeland.  They fought for and supported Lithuania’s struggle for freedom from Russian occupation and actively worked for United States’ recognition of that independence once freedom was attained.  One visual evidence of this deep interest, commitment, and loyalty are the posters produced during the first half of the last century. 
Authored and published by several individuals and published by several companies, posters, like those in this exhibition, date from the teens into the 1950s. They depict jubilation at reaching independence, a yearning for the ancestral land, and a recognition of the promise and opportunity provided by America.  The posters show idyllic scenes of the Lithuanian countryside and its traditions; the brutalities that Lithuanians endured during the Czarist rule; ancient as well as more modern heroes; and, repeatedly, celebrations commemorating Lithuania’s newly achieved independence, shown sometimes as the joint accomplishment of Lithuania and the United States. 
The colors and style of the posters emphasize the idealized nature of the scenes and individuals featured in them.  Some have flowers, animals, and pristine landscapes.  In many a dominant feature is a female figure, dressed in a gown or native costume, and holding or surrounded by a large Lithuanian flag and with words asserting the value of freedom.  The posters were used as advertisements for Lithuanian stores, as calendars, and for other national and community purposes.
The exhibition will be on view at the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania May 5 – June 9 | 10 am – 5 pm (by appointment at culture.us@urm.lt only)