Exhibition of masks and ritual items at Šiauliai Aušros Museum
On February 12, 2010 at Šiauliai Aušros Museum, Ch. Frenkelis Villa (Vilniaus St. 74, Šiauliai), the exhibition displaying masks and ritual items "New Guinea – Lithuania" was opened and a concert took place. The Oceania region music was performed by Šiauliai State Chamber Choir „Polifonija" (leader – Gediminas Ramanauskas), Kęstutis and Gintautas Gascevičius, the Shrovetide songs sung by Šiauliai City Cultural Centre „Laiptai Gallery" Folklore Ensemble „Salduvė" (leaders – Violeta and Darius Daknys).
The exhibition will last till April 30, 2010.
The exhibition, arranged for Shrovetide, shows the Papuan masks and ritual items from the Lithuanian Art Museum's collection, gifted by Dr. Genovaitė Kazokienė (Australian Lithuanian, public and cultural figure) and the most ancient Shrovetide masks and ceremonial items from Šiauliai Aušros Museum's collections.
Most expressive and unique exhibits are the masks and sculptures, conveying the elements of mythological world-view (totemic ancestors, their souls and other mythological personages) of the combative, impulsive, long ago famed as cannibals, living in hellish tropical fever tribes.