How does an ambitious woman feel when she is forever overshadowed by her husband—a genius?

The “Lietuva” ensemble presents the premiere of the dance performance “Sofija,” which, with a bold perspective, will bring to light what is (un)expected—and perhaps often left unsaid. The Year of M. K. Čiurlionis is filled with attention to his most notable achievements and the artist’s impressive biography, which inspired the creators of the performance to take the opposite approach—an exceptionally sensitive and open exploration of his great muse, Sofija Kymantaitė —Čiurlionienė.

“It is time to turn our attention to the person who best understood and most deeply felt M. K. Čiurlionis’s genius in the present day. A person who, in our opinion, was unjustly overshadowed by her husband, her contribution unjustly forgotten. Sofija—a woman who weathered life’s twists and turns, embodying countless roles within herself. Her love, struggle, determination, and devotion are simply inspiring. “As I researched her biography, I realized she went through so much; these experiences will prompt the audience to reflect and raise thought-provoking questions,” says director and chief choreographer of the “Lietuva” ensemble, Aušra Krasauskaitė, about the concept behind the production. The new performance, through the language of movement and symbols, will highlight S. Kymantaitė-Čiurlionienė’s multifaceted personality—especially her lesser-known sides, her most intimate struggles, and her transformations. What does it mean to live with a genius? How does one cope with a loved one’s mental illness? What is the point of fighting to preserve every memory of one’s husband? How much can love withstand poverty and a lack of recognition? How many roles can one woman embody?

"Čiurlionis is one of the most intriguing Lithuanian artists, whose life, work and thoughts allow us not only to delve into the unique philosophy of art about the eternal incompleteness of a work, to ask where the line is between brilliant creativity and madness, and to worry about unrecognized or poverty. In addition, we can admire the extraordinary love story with a strong, exceptional woman - Sofija Kymantaitė. An active fosterer of Lithuanian identity, public figure, writer, one of the first literary and theater critics. Sofija Kymantaitė - Čiurlionienė - the genius's teacher, muse, lover, wife, nurse, mother of the child, the main keeper and disseminator of Čiurlionis's work. After the death of her beloved husband, Sofija remained a widow for the rest of her life, turned the loss into the engine of life, and followed love until the very end. The fact that today we can delve into Čiurlionis's work is only due to Sofija's persistent and consistent devotion. Čiurlionis is like The hurricane disrupted her life, but at the same time, with her early death, it dictated a clear direction for it,” the creators say.

Sofija, already at the age of 21, was engaged in political activities, actively participated in the activities of the Lithuanian Women's Movement. The first scout leader and the only woman - the representative of Lithuania in the League of Nations. She contributed to the development of the Lithuanian language, taught this language to Čiurlionis. For saving Jews, she was awarded the Righteous Among the Nations Commemorative Medal, and in 1999 - the Cross of the Rescuer of the Drowned. It is interesting that she always wrote her husband's name first and only then her maiden name: S. Čiurlionienė - Kymantaitė.

Another relevant theme is developed in the storyline: burnout from stress, insufficient recognition, such a great feeling of pressure to prove one's worth that one can no longer bear it psychologically. More and more people and health professionals are raising sensitive psychological and mental health issues, especially in today's context, when people are feeling increasingly anxious, stressed, and insecure, often dealing with depression, a complicated work-life balance, perfectionism, established social norms, and dilemmas of self-expression and self-worth. As is known, in the last years of his life, Čiurlionis faced nervous exhaustion and was treated at the Pustelniki sanatorium near Warsaw. It is likely that it was a severe form of depression or schizophrenia, although the exact diagnosis remains a subject of debate to this day. This illness interrupted his work precisely when he was close to his most mature works. His beloved Sofija said that Čiurlionis often painted or wrote music at night, as if in a creative ecstasy - sometimes he would work for several days in a row without rest. This further exhausted his health.

The dance performance will exclusively draw on the musical and artistic legacy of M.K. Čiurlionis. Čiurlionis' works are characterized by a unique synthesis between music and visual art, deep symbolism, spiritual and natural motifs. Important biographical facts, through which the main characters of our performance will be revealed. Čiurlionis' biography tells the story of a brilliant man who combined music, painting, literature and philosophy. We are invited to get to know Čiurlionis not only as a great creator, but also as a person - an earthly, resonating personality for us, with all the dramatic facts of life, internal difficulties experienced, with the relationship he created to the environment, people, and dialogue with creation. In parallel, the line of femininity will also open - Sofia's bright personality and merits, her life story and relationship with her lover. According to director A. Krasauskaitė, a sensitively deep relationship with Lithuania, the love between a man and a woman, conflicts or even schizophrenia will emerge here.

The choreography will be dominated by classical, neoclassical and contemporary dances, dynamic mass scenes will be replaced by duets and solo compositions. Modern choreography, intertwined with ethno motifs, supplemented with Lithuanian folk customs, will strengthen the created images. The scenography will draw inspiration from the paintings of M.K. Čiurlionis. The performance will feature a modern arrangement of M.K. Čiurlionis' music, motifs from the most recognizable works, and electronic art. The music of composer Mindaugas Urbaitis and the group "Happyendless" will be used.

Director and choreographer A. Krasauskaitė – winner of the Golden Stage Cross and the Mask of Gratitude, works in various Lithuanian theaters, having created choreography for such projects of the ensemble “Lietuva” as the musical drama “Emilija”, the collage opera “Mažvydas”, the musical drama “Sakmė apie dovanota čiržić” or the dance performance “Dance Symphony from Northern Jerusalem” based on the music of Jievaras Jasinskis. The creator was also inspired for the new project by dance performances – “Žemaitė N.18(0)” dedicated to the year of the writer Žemaitė and “Dėdės ir dėdienės” based on Juozas Tuma-Vaižgantas.

Vienytis invites: the project is partially financed by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania, information partner LRT.

CREATIVE TEAM:

Director and choreographer: Aušra Krasauskaitė

Playwright: Giedrė Kriaučionytė-Vosylienė

Musical arranger and composer: Martynas Bialobžeskis

Costume designer: Elvita Brazdylytė

Scenographer: Modestas Jančiulis

Light designer: Pijus Vasiliauskas

Soloists:

Sofia: Paulina Čistovaitė / Goda Mikuckytė

Čiurlionis: Marius Pinigis / Robertas Vinik

Performers:

State Ensemble "Lietuva" Dance Troupe

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EVENT INFORMATION

Date and time: October 16, 2026, 7 p.m.

Duration: 1.5 hours

Intermissions: none

Location: Birštonas Cultural Center

Address: Jaunimo g. 4, Birštonas

Price: from 19.2 €/person

Tickets: bilietai.lt

More: HERE

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EVENT ORGANIZER

Concert institution State Ensemble "Lietuva"

Contacts: vadyba@ansamblis-lietuva.lt / tel:+37069989895

Program

Dance Play "Sofija" | In the Shadow of the Genius

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