Lecture “Bohemia and Cafés in the Soviet Era” – the 6th lecture of the series at Vilnius Town Hall
This lecture will explore how the café scene in Vilnius Old Town during the Soviet era served as small islands of freedom within a totalitarian system. It will examine two parallel realities: the official one—broadcast on television, reported in newspapers, and showcased in parades—and the real one, experienced in the streets and cafés of Vilnius Old Town. The lecture will present specific café routes, their appeal, the social groups and subcultures that frequented them, their lifestyles, and the subtle ways they ignored Soviet reality. It also invites reflection on the importance of like-minded communities and spaces where people could meet, socialize, and create, emphasizing their significance for each generation.
This lecture is the final – 6th – event in the series “Culture Against the System: Vilnius’ Resistance in the Soviet Era”, organized to mark the 35th anniversary of Lithuania’s independence in 2025. The series aims to foster discussion and deepen public understanding of cultural resistance in Vilnius from 1945 to 1990. Participants will discover little-known stories about art, theatre, subcultures, heritage preservation, cinema, and café culture as quiet yet powerful forms of resistance against the Soviet system. Each session includes discussions with artists, cultural figures, and witnesses of the era and events.
The lecture will be delivered by journalist Rasa Pakalkienė, followed by a discussion moderated by cultural journalist Laivė Radzevičienė. Participants in the discussion include poet Antanas Jonynas, actor Rimas Morkūnas, and mythologist Dainius Razauskas – cultural figures who grew and matured in Vilnius’ café scene and serve as living witnesses to the city’s cultural life during the Soviet era.
Venue: Vilnius Town Hall, Chamber Hall (2nd floor)
Date and Time: September 29, 2025, 6:00 PM
Admission: Free
