On October 16–17, 2025, the Institute of Lithuanian Literature and Folklore hosted the national conference “Memory and Future: Archives in the 21st Century”, marking the 90th anniversary of the Lithuanian Folklore Archive.

The event brought together 18 speakers representing various Lithuanian research and cultural institutions, including the Institute of Lithuanian Literature and Folklore, the Kaunas City Museum, the Institute of the Lithuanian Language, the Rokiškis Regional Museum, the National Museum of Lithuania, the Institute of Baltic Region History and Archaeology at Klaipėda University, and the Lithuanian Museum of Ethnography.

The conference featured presentations of valuable archival collections, recent studies, and new discoveries highlighting the legacy of scholars, folklore collectors, and creators, as well as cultural treasures preserved in museums and libraries. Speakers also discussed collections found in foreign archives, which reveal the complexities of Lithuanian history and the diverse efforts to preserve national identity. The presentations covered a wide range of topics, from folklore research, manuscripts, and oral histories to musical landscapes, traditional customs, wartime memories, partisan resistance, and archaeological heritage.

A special highlight of the conference was the presentation of a traveling exhibition by the Joniškis Museum of History and Culture, dedicated to Matas Slančiauskas (1850–1924) — a renowned folklore collector, book smuggler, and member of the Lithuanian Science Society.

The first day concluded with a cherished tradition: the presentation of the “Honey of Folklore” award. The 19th laureate of this symbolic honor was artist and ethnographic researcher Virginijus Kašinskas, recognized for his significant contribution to the Lithuanian Folklore Archive — a collection of video and audio recordings interweaving folk creativity, traditional customs, and memories of the struggle for freedom.

The Lithuanian Folklore Archive sincerely thanks all participants and presenters whose insights, experience, and archival discoveries enriched this memorable anniversary event.

Photo by Sonata Noreikienė