Last night was the opening of an exhibition of the artist Teodoras Valaitis at the National Gallery. He was known as a sculptor but also painted prolifically. He was an artist during the Soviet times. As I understand, he was killed under mysterious circumstances at the age of 40 in 1974. There is tragedy behind every person’s life here.

I got an invitation to the opening, and there were many eager cultural enthusiasts lining up to hear the talk. After the opening ceremony there was a rush to see the paintings and sculptures. Some of his sculptures look like mitochondria, and are actually called biomorphs. His paintings range from dark to colorful abstract. Here are some of the images. I liked it. I was impressed by the amount of interest by the Vilnius community in this relatively unknown artist.

I am also uploading a couple of images by Čiurlionis, Lithuania’s most famous artist/composer. I have performed some of his piano music.

Then the Friday sauna with my new friends. Probably the hottest sauna I have ever been in. Jumping in the very cold pond and being beaten with birch leaves/branches. The guys munch on chicken livers and Lithuanian cheese and bread, but surprisingly no vodka or liquor. I ate pickles and chips. It doesn’t get much more authentic than this, and I will miss being here.