VMU Library invites to visit the exhibition “The Road to February 16: The History We Read”
We invite you to discover the history of the restoration of the Lithuanian state up close – visit the exhibition “The Road to February 16: The History We Read” at V. Biržiška Library. The exhibition invites you not only to remember, but also to rethink how the modern Lithuanian state was created.
On February 16, 1918, the Council of Lithuania unanimously declared the restoration of an independent, democratic Lithuanian state. The document became the fundamental basis of statehood, on which the political system, social life and a new vision of the state were formed. The publications from the VMU library collection at the exhibition provide a broader context for this event: the ideological discussions that led to independence and the social and political issues of the period.
The exhibition pays special attention to the signatories of the Act of Independence, who were united by their responsibility for the future of the state. They were active intellectuals, political figures and educators. Among the most prominent personalities were public figure and cultural inspiration Jonas Basanavičius, social democracy initiator Steponas Kairys, diplomat Jurgis Šaulys, politician and president Antanas Smetona, as well as clergymen Kazimieras Steponas Šaulys and Justinas Staugaitis, who were known for their moral stance. Some of the signatories of the Act of February 16 later became university lecturers. The decision to establish a university in Kaunas on February 16, 1922, symbolically links Lithuanian higher education with the restoration of the state. This connection remains important to this day, as the university continues to cherish the memory of history.
Vytautas Magnus University contributes to the study of the history of Lithuanian statehood and the preservation of its documentary heritage: in 2017, the original Act of February 16 in Lithuanian and German, with the signatures of all signatories, was found in a German archive. This historical document was discovered by VMU professor Liudas Mažylis, whose consistent work has shown how important it is to constantly search for, research and rethink the history of the creation of the state. This discovery reminded us that the story of Lithuanian statehood is not complete – it continues to be shaped by new facts, discovered documents and research findings.