There are no observers on this tour: all participants become characters in the stories, carrying in their suitcase their new identity, the story of an unknown character, the longing for home, and the will to survive among strangers. The silent barracks remind us of a time when they were home to soldiers from Germany, France, Lithuania, and the Soviet Union, waving flags of peace or war.
Over 800 people from various Lithuanian cities took part in the tour
More than 800 people took part in the experiential tour last summer, taking away sensitive and mindset-changing experiences with them. The stories of people recorded by Italians, French, Ukrainians, Russian speakers, Jews, Dzukijans, Samogitijans, Aukštaitijans, Lietuvninkai (Lithuanians of Lithuanian Minor), and Germans, either living in Klaipėda or staying in it for a short period of time, contributed to the conveyance of its cultural and linguistic diversity during the twentieth century. Old suitcases donated by people of Western Lithuania continue their life stories as silent narrators in this migrant journey. The organisers of the tours are pleased that not only guests from Lithuanian cities, but also Lithuanians living abroad take part in them. According to Rima Čerapė, educator of the tour, one of the most memorable tours was with the representatives of the World Lithuanian Community, who were even more sensitive to the topics touched upon during the tour. Also memorable were the participants who came to Klaipėda from all over Lithuania to celebrate their class reunion with the Migrant. Even the pouring rain did not scare them away.
Discounts for groups from schools and cultural institutions in June
Although in the post-tour sharing of opinions more than one participant said that the tour was a must-see for schoolchildren, according to the organisers, they were the smallest group on the tours. Egidijus Sereičikas, a history teacher at the Klaipėda Lyceum, said that it was extremely important to empathise with another person, their situation, emotions, and character. It allowed one to see the period from an emotional perspective, which was genuine and sensitive. "For me, as a history teacher, it is very important to see not only the environment and the period, but also to get close to the people, to how they felt and what they were experiencing at the time. The relationship with Klaipėda created by the Migrant project is also relevant to me. I am a migrant myself, who came in search of a better life and found it in Klaipėda. Therefore it is not surprising that this topic is close to me. I have experienced what it means to be a foreigner in my own country, and therefore embodying the character made me realise that it was important not only to find a place for oneself, but also to welcome and help another person. After all, we are all looking for a place under the sun," Sereičikas shared his impressions after the excursion.
To encourage more young people still at school to participate in the project, KU is designating June as the Migrant Class Month and inviting them to swap their history lesson for a migrant experience. According to the organisers, if the historical topics covered during the tour seem too difficult for younger children, they are welcome to come with parents or other relatives. In June, Migrant will also offer discounts to groups of cultural workers.
For more information about the experiential tour, its content, and terms of participation, please visit the Facebook page Migrantas-istorinė ekskursija. For group tours, please write to or call Rima Čerapė, educator: migrantas.ku@gmail.com, +370 46 398648.
The project's creative team:
Dr Raimonda Nabažaitė, researcher at the Institute of History and Archaeology of the Baltic Region of KU, project leader and author of the conception; Milda Kontrimė (co-author, educator); Rima Čerapė (co-author, educator); Sondra Simana (author of the script); Kristijonas Lučinskas (sound director); Mikalojus Urbonas (voice of the main character).
Schedule of Migrant tours planned for the summer:
JUNE:
Sunday, June 11: 10 am.
Wednesday, June 14: 6 pm.
Sunday, June 18: 3 pm.
Wednesday, June 28: 6 pm
JULY:
Wednesday, July 5: 6 pm
Sunday, July 16: 10 am
Wednesday, July 26: 6 pm
SEPTEMBER:
Wednesday, September 9: 6 pm
Sunday, September 13: 10 am.
Sunday, September 27: 3 pm
Tickets are available on the platform www.bilietai.lt .
