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Kaunas Unveils “Echoes of Čiurlionis”, a New Route for Reflection and Slow Exploration

Take a moment, stop, and listen – what does the city around you sound like? It flows, it whooshes, it rustles, it murmurs… and, of course, it echoes. A new tourist route invites you to explore this very Kaunas, a city brimming with inspiration and discovery. Named “Echoes of Čiurlionis,” it’s dedicated to Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, whose 150th birthday is being celebrated this year in Lithuania and around the world.

“This new route isn’t just an invitation to get to know Čiurlionis’ life and work better; it’s a fresh way to experience Kaunas, adding to our growing collection of themed routes. These routes reveal all sorts of facets of Kaunas, from its Japanese and Scandinavian influences to its green spaces, modernist architecture, and literary heritage,” says Agnė Kriaučiūnienė, Head of Tourism and Marketing at Kaunas IN.

“Echoes of Čiurlionis” stands out from your usual tourist trails because it doesn’t just give you a list of sights. It encourages you to slow down and seek out those subtler connections with Čiurlionis’ spirit, to experience Kaunas through its sounds, sights, and atmosphere. The route is even complemented by a specially curated playlist to help you tune in to your surroundings. You’ll also find recommendations for books and virtual reality films “Trail of Angels” and “Creation of the Worlds.”

Although the great artist never actually lived in Kaunas and only visited a handful of times, the city – home to the National M. K. Čiurlionis Museum of Art – is forever linked to his genius and draws inspiration from his work. So, the new route presents over 30 spots and experiences, divided into three categories.

Fact-hunters will be drawn to places that Čiurlionis himself visited, or where you can see his works – or even locations where they were housed in the past. This section of the route includes the now-demolished Adamčikas Progymnasium, the Kaunas State Musical Theatre, Sofija Čiurlionienė’s house, and, of course, the National M. K. Čiurlionis Museum of Art, whose team played a key role in developing this new route.

Inspiration-seekers will love the list of Kaunas’ cultural institutions, libraries, and art spaces – perfect for delving deeper into Čiurlionis’ creative output, his ideas, and his influences. Travellers will find the Oak Grove Library, the Art and Music Department of the Kaunas Vincas Kudirka Public Library, the Kaunas State Philharmonic, the National Kaunas Drama Theatre, and many other gems.

The section for symbolists and interpreters features places and experiences that aren’t directly linked to Čiurlionis’ life or work, but which spark interpretation, reflection, and new discoveries. Among these are the VMU Kaunas Botanical Garden and the planetarium at the Science Island.

You can grab a printed copy of the “Echoes of Čiurlionis” route at the Kaunas IN Tourist Information Centre, the National M. K. Čiurlionis Museum of Art, and other tourist-friendly spots around town. For the digital version, head to our publications section.

Photos A. Aleksandravičius, Kaunas IN.

Kaunas Unveils “Echoes of Čiurlionis”, a New Route for Reflection and Slow Exploration

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