The National Library’s program will become a bridge between the past and today’s issues – from citizenship and state security to the importance of memory, identity, and creativity.
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From September 18 to 20, at the Kaunas “Žalgiris” arena book fair, the National Library will present new releases published by the Science and Encyclopaedia Publishing Centre (MELC), invite conversations with historians, authors, and cultural researchers, and also provide an opportunity to meet live with the laureates of the 2025 “Book of the Year” awards.
From Vladas Putvinskis’ commandment to today’s citizenship
On September 18 at 3 p.m. in the LLA event hall, the book “Vladas Putvinskis. Life and Selected Writings,” compiled by Dr. Mindaugas Nefas, will be presented.
The book published by MELC features for the first time the first volume of Vladas Putvinskis’ writings, which was never published before 1940, as well as his journalistic texts on political and social issues. The thoughts of the founder of the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union still sound extremely relevant today, reminding us of civic responsibility, societal vigilance, and each person’s contribution to state security.
The discussion will include the book’s compiler Dr. M. Nefas and historian Dr. Jonas Vaičenonis, with historian Dr. Simonas Jazavita moderating the event.
The largest flood in 20th century Lithuania and untold human stories
On September 19 at 12 p.m. in the LLA event hall, the National Library invites you to the presentation of Gediminas Kasparavičius’ book “City Under Water: The Great Kaunas Flood of 1946.”
This is the first comprehensive study of the largest natural disaster in Lithuania in the 20th century. The book tells not only about the natural disaster but also about Kaunas and its residents who, in the post-war period, simultaneously faced Soviet terror, the consequences of war, and a catastrophic flood.
This narrative reveals the fates of people often left on the margins of history and reminds us of the price societies pay when experiencing great upheavals.
The event will feature the author Gediminas Kasparavičius, historian Dr. Mindaugas Balkus, and hydrologist Dr. Raimundas Baublys. The conversation will be moderated by Dainius Elertas.
The healing power of reading books
On Saturday, September 19, at 10:40 a.m., the library invites you to the presentation of Dr. Daiva Janavičienė’s e-book “Bibliotherapy METHODOLOGY PLUS,” which will take place during the readers’ clubs and communities forum “Open Readers’ Club.” The book published by MELC introduces deep reading, conducting readers’ clubs with bibliotherapy elements, intuitive creative writing, metaphorical associative cards, the use of toys for bibliotherapy purposes, and other methodologies, integrating them with personality development bibliotherapy.
“Understanding bibliotherapy as emotional support, we distinguish several types of it. If we use reading recommendations, believing that by reading the text individuals will receive the necessary help, this is passive bibliotherapy. Interactive bibliotherapy encourages not only reading selected texts but also organizing various activities based on the read text,” says the author.
It will be possible to communicate directly with Dr. D. Janavičienė from 11 a.m. – the author will be present at the National Library’s stand (J1.6).
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Interwar Kaunas: homes, dreams, and losses
On the same day, September 19, at 2 p.m. in the LLA event hall, the presentation of Viktorija Vitkauskaitė’s book “Homes and Fates. 10 Interwar Kaunas Stories” will take place.
The publication, selected as the best non-fiction book of 2025, invites readers to look at interwar Kaunas through the stories of ten homes and the people who lived in them. These are stories about state-building, ambitions, everyday life, and painful breaks when, after Lithuania lost its freedom, not only homes but also people’s lives were destroyed.
The event will feature the author Viktorija Vitkauskaitė and architect and wooden heritage promoter Povilas Konkulevičius. The meeting will be moderated by journalist Kotryna Lingienė.
The Year’s Poetry Laureate’s view on time and memory
On September 19 at 5 p.m., visitors to the Readers’ Space will have the opportunity to meet poet Gintaras Grajauskas, whose poetry book “The Taste of Water” was chosen as the best poetry book of 2025 by readers.
The author’s work sensitively and accurately speaks about time, memory, childhood experiences, and the beauty of everyday life. At the meeting, the poet will share thoughts about creativity, the book’s creation, and answer readers’ questions. The conversation will be moderated by poet Dainius Dirgėla.
Long-standing Lithuanian history in one family’s story
On September 20 at 12 p.m. in the Readers’ Space, the presentation of Vytautas V. Landsbergis’ novel “The Nameless Button” will take place.
The work, which became the 2025 “Book of the Year” prose laureate, covers several epochs of Lithuanian history – from the post-war period, partisan resistance, and exile to the restoration of independence and the present day. Through the choices, fears, and hopes of specific people, the author reveals a vivid and complex narrative of Lithuanian history that remains relevant today.
The event will feature the author Vytautas V. Landsbergis, with the meeting moderated by literary scholar and writer Akvilina Cicėnaitė.
A history that speaks now
The National Library’s program at the Kaunas book fair will invite not only to remember the past but also to seek answers to today’s questions. The stories of interwar Kaunas homes, post-war people’s trials, themes of exile and resistance, Vladas Putvinskis’ ideas about civic responsibility, and voices of contemporary literature will reveal that history is not just a story of the past. It helps to understand the present, strengthens civic awareness, and reminds us of values that remain important for every generation.
The Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania will be waiting for visitors at the Kaunas book fair from September 18 to 20 at the Kaunas “Žalgiris” arena. We invite you to purchase publications published by the National Library at special prices.
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