A History of the City of Vilnius, vol. I, title page

The 1830s brought about a new phenomenon in Lithuanian culture, books about the history of Vilnius. They were written by graduates of Vilnius University, literary figures who were inspired by Romanticism, a love for their homeland, the desire to know about its past, and a duty to educate people. The legends and stories in their work intertwine charmingly with information from historical sources. The first history of the city was published by Michał Baliński (1794–1864), the owner of the Jašiūnai estate. He graduated from Vilnius University in 1818, and began to publish the scientific and literary magazine Tygodnik Wileński (Vilnius Weekly). He was an active public figure, joined the 1831 uprising, and was put in prison. In 1836, Baliński published the two-volume Historya Miasta Wilna (A History of the City of Vilnius), in which he shed light on the past of the city through the deeds, works and constructions of rulers, noblemen and clergy of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The book covers the period from pagan times to the reign of King Stephen Báthory.

Source: Law firm Valiunas Ellex art album VILNIUS. TOPOPHILIA II (2015). Compiler and author Laima Laučkaitė
Expositions: "Vilnius Time", 5 June 2023 – 1 May 2024, Lithuanian Art Centre TARTLE (Užupio St. 40, Vilnius). Curators Ieva Burbaitė and Emilija Vanagaitė.

The 1830s brought about a new phenomenon in Lithuanian culture, books about the history of Vilnius. They were written by graduates of Vilnius University, literary figures who were inspired by Romanticism, a love for their homeland, the desire to know about its past, and a duty to educate people. The legends and stories in their work intertwine charmingly with information from historical sources. The first history of the city was published by Michał Baliński (1794–1864), the owner of the Jašiūnai estate. He graduated from Vilnius University in 1818, and began to publish the scientific and literary magazine Tygodnik Wileński (Vilnius Weekly). He was an active public figure, joined the 1831 uprising, and was put in prison. In 1836, Baliński published the two-volume Historya Miasta Wilna (A History of the City of Vilnius), in which he shed light on the past of the city through the deeds, works and constructions of rulers, noblemen and clergy of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The book covers the period from pagan times to the reign of King Stephen Báthory.

Source: Law firm Valiunas Ellex art album VILNIUS. TOPOPHILIA II (2015). Compiler and author Laima Laučkaitė
Expositions: "Vilnius Time", 5 June 2023 – 1 May 2024, Lithuanian Art Centre TARTLE (Užupio St. 40, Vilnius). Curators Ieva Burbaitė and Emilija Vanagaitė.