Did you know that at one point, nearly 10% of Kaunas’ population belonged to the Polish minority? Over the years, this vibrant community adapted and evolved, leaving a lasting cultural imprint on the city.
During the Interwar period, the Polish community in Kaunas thrived—establishing schools, gymnasiums, libraries, newspapers, and community centers. Today, we invite you to explore this rich heritage through two dedicated guides
Step into the stories, spaces, and legacy of the Polish community in Kaunas.
Explore:
IT’S TIME TO Explore KAUNAS Polish COMMUNITY
How This Project Was Born and Why
The project began in 2022, when Kaunas was the European Capital of Culture. During this year, the Museum of the Historical Presidential Palace of the Republic of Lithuania in Kaunas launched the initiative “Susipažinkime iš naujo” (“Let’s Get to Know Each Other Anew”), aimed at meeting the city’s minority communities and learning more about their cultural heritage.
As we prepared for these meetings, we realized that much of the knowledge within the Kaunas Polish community was scattered among individual members. Many people who carried important memories and stories had already passed away or were no longer active in the community.
To preserve these stories and prevent the history from fading, we created the project “A Gift for Future Generations.” The guides for the Kaunas Polish community are part of a series of 3–4 projects designed to make this heritage easily accessible in multiple formats: an Android app, an iPhone app, informational roll-ups, and downloadable PDFs on our website.
Project is organized by:
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