"Fraternal Kiss"

Art in Lithuania.

Soviet Square

Lukiškės Square, Vilnius, Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic, 1975. See Photo 17 here.

Related by Marriage: Flowers for the Guest

Vilnius, Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic, July 1983. Relatives greet Mr. Irene's Dad upon his arrival in Lithuania. Dad's brother, Stacey, stands on the left.

Paddling Santas

In Vilnius, Lithuania.

ADDED: In Venice, the Santas row.

More here from the hometown of Mr. Irene's Dad.

Related by Marriage: Welcome

Vilnius, Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic, July 1983. Family members greet Mr. Irene's Dad upon his arrival in Lithuania. The man to the right of Mr. Irene's Dad is Stacey.

I wonder if the photographer intentionally included the lurkers on the right in his frame.

Related by Marriage: Reconnected

Vilnius, Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic, July 1983. Mr. Irene's Dad visits with his younger brother, Stacey, and Stacey's family at an authorized hotel.

The Grand Duke

Vilnius, Lithuania, August 2011. This is Grand Duke Gediminas. Lithuanians today celebrate Statehood Day. On July 6, 1253, Lithuania crowned its only king, King Mindaugas. At about the same time, Pope Innocent IV recognized the Lithuanian state.

Thanks to my Toronto Cousin for making this photo available to us.

Related by Marriage: Around the Table, in Color

Vilnius, Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic, 1978. Here's another image of Mr. Irene, the honored guest from America.

Post-Soviet-Era Tourism

"Lithuania is one of the few places where Soviet history could be explored with all the modern amenities and freedoms. A rich array of Soviet-related locations includes the ordinary and extra-ordinary: apartment blocks, nuclear launch site, propaganda art, locations of the freedom struggle and memorials for those who perished."

Background

Near Vilnius, Lithuania, about 1930. This boy is a relative—likely a nephew—of Suzanne. The photo is in bad shape; I post because I love the use of the Lithuanian weaving as a wall hanging. The textile's design is in the family of "apple patterns." I presently am adapting a woven apple pattern for a sweater design.

Thanks to Suzanne's Granddaughter—my Kaunas Cousin—for making this photo available to us.

Playsuit

Near Vilnius, Lithuania, about 1930. A relative—perhaps a niece—of Suzanne balances for the camera.

Thanks to Suzanne's Granddaughter—my Kaunas Cousin—for making this photo available to us.

"If I wanted, in two days I could have Russian troops not only in Kiev, but also in Riga, Vilnius, Tallinn, Warsaw and Bucharest[.]"

Said Putin.

Uncertain

Probably near Vilinius, Lithuania, about mid-1920s. This may be a maternal Aunt or cousin of Suzanne, the wife of my Dad's older cousin Henry.

Thanks to my Kaunas Cousin for making this photo available to us.

Presidential Palace

Vilnius, Lithuania, August 2011. Today's post about Steven Tyler's visit to Vilnius reminded me of the image of the Presidential Palace my Toronto Cousin took when she visited Lithuania.

Thanks to my Toronto Cousin for making this photo available to us.

Here's another reason why I like Steven Tyler.

Aerosmith is performing this week in Vilnius. While sightseeing in the city, the band paused in front of the Lithuanian White House. Steven Tyler stopped there to sing with some musicians.

Later, Tyler toured the White House and met with President Grybauskaitė ("We saw you around palace, and we decided to catch you").

Charming!

It's election day in Lithuania.

Did you notice?

"Grybauskaite can afford sticking with a small campaign with hardly any posters or TV ads. As the current president, she has the stage whenever she wants. Critics used to accuse her of not mingling with the population enough. So, in the past year, she spent more time with everyday people. During the traditional Uzgavenes carnival in February, she toured the sausage and pancakes booths and posed with dressed-up partiers and teenagers."

More photos here.

Exchanging Portraits (Part 24)

Near Vilnius, Lithuania, about 1936. This is the mother of Suzanne. Suzanne was the wife of my Dad's older cousin, Henry.

Thanks to Suzanne's Granddaughter—my Kaunas Cousin—for making this photo available to us.

Northern Europe's first "cat café" ...

... opens in Vilnius.

Bring some toys to amuse the baby.

 Near Vilnius, Lithuania, about 1928. Suzanne—on the left—joins her Parents, Sister, and Nephew. (The wheeled cat toy reminds me of the wooden horse.)

Thanks to Suzanne's Granddaughter—my Kaunas Cousin—for making this photo available to us.

Loose Moose

In Vilnius.