The Panevėžys Regional History Museum’s exposition “To Stay, to Emigrate, or to Return?” was recognized the best in the country by the Lithuanian Museum Association.
The exhibition analyzes one of the most pressing problems in Lithuania—emigration. It looks at the stories of the writer and philanthropist Vladas Rasčiauskas, the linguist Petras Būtėnas, and the promoter of Lithuanian identity and organizer of charity events Aleksandra Kalvėnaitė-Kazickienė, as well as the stories of today’s emigrants, their motives for leaving and their life in the diaspora. Video stories of people who have lived in Panevėžys and are currently building a new life abroad or have returned after emigration have been prepared especially for the exhibition. A sales manager, a businessperson and director of the Lithuanian Robotics Association, a student, an engineer and a member of the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union, a producer, a photographer, and an interior designer share their experiences. Suitcases, which are among the exhibits, show the difference between the past and present emigrants. In an old suitcase, you can see relics that are important to a person who emigrated from Lithuania in the 19th or 20th century. It contains a passport, books and important photos. In the suitcase of a recent emigrant, one can see modern things, which attest to different life conditions and changing times. The exhibition also includes suitcases and objects donated by emigrants. Not only the museum staff, but also the community contributed to the creation of the exposition. Two colors, black and white, were chosen to convey the present and the past.