The Master Glazier will be leading a group of Members and their guests to Vilnius and to Kaunas, to see some of Lithuania’s unique stained glass and visit one of Europe’s hidden gems.
From our base in the family-run boutique Stikliai hotel , located in the heart of Vilnius old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, we will tour key sites in the capital and Kaunas City. At each location, renowned academic Žydrūnas Mirinavičius, lecturer in stained glass at the Vilnius Academy of Arts, will provide expert commentary on the stained glass works of art.
The tour of Vilnius will include iconic pieces by leading Lithuanian stained glass artists, Kazys Morkūnas, Konstantinas Šatūnas and Antanas Garbauskas; with visits to Parliament, the National Library and the Wedding Palace. We will have a day trip to Kaunas, observing the beautiful stained glass windows by Stasys Ušinskas in the Christ Resurrection Church and spend time at the Ninth Fort in Kaunas. A sombre but important experience, with a tour of this fortification that also served as a prison and was the site of large-scale atrocities – the slaughter of thousands of Jews and other prisoners during World War II. It includes ‘The Monument’ a breath-taking Brutalist structure and will finish with an exclusive viewing of a dalle de verre masterpiece.
And we will have lots of fun. Our schedule includes welcome drinks, dinner at a historic hunting themed restaurant, a Gala Dinner in the splendour of the Stikliai banqueting room and a farewell dinner with traditional folk music. There is an optional walking tour of the old town on the first day.
We have allocated a free day for people to explore Vilnius and the surrounding area – there is a lot to see: castles, lakes, majestic forests, museums, galleries; and a veritable feast of architecture: Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassical – all contrasted with the Brutalist statement buildings of the Soviet era.
The hotel staff are incredibly helpful. We have complementary use of the hotel spa. They will book additional services such as massage and beauty treatments and can offer advice on excursions and restaurants (of which there are many). ‘Stikliai’ means glassblowers – how appropriate that our Worshipful Company will be staying at a location celebrating glass craftsmanship!
Please join the Master on what promises to be a uniquely memorable trip celebrating the artistry of stained glass in this special, culturally rich, country.
Please note that the hotel is about a 7-minute walk from the nearest drop-off point for coaches and other transport. Luggage on arrival and departure will be collected from the drop-off point for those arriving on the main flights. However it will be necessary to walk to and from the drop-off point on all other occasions. Please also note that there are some cobbled streets in central Vilnius, including the hotel’s street, so comfortable walking shoes are a must.
If you are a member of the Company and would like to attend or to join the waiting list please contact the Assistant Clerk at assistant@worshipfulglaziers.co.uk
