Juozapas Paškauskas
@juozapas.bsky.social
Historian of 19th-Century Social and Cultural History in the Russian Empire | Research Fellow at the Lithuanian Institute of History
It’s always intriguing to stumble upon familiar words in Vilnius news from the Russian imperial period — like Azov and Don (Cossacks) — alongside a glimpse of a successful economic institution of that time, the Азовсько-донський банк (Azov-Don Bank), opening a branch in the city. #Azov #Vilnius
September 3, 2025 at 1:08 PM
When the NATO summit took place in Vilnius and optimists were full of hope about Ukraine being invited into the alliance, my friend organized a showing of this Maksym Palenko painting in the rather touristy Užupis district – hoping to tip the scales in Ukraine’s favor. Still praying for victory!
May 27, 2025 at 2:19 PM
When the NATO summit took place in Vilnius and optimists were full of hope about Ukraine being invited into the alliance, my friend organized a showing of this Maksym Palenko painting in the rather touristy Užupis district – hoping to tip the scales in Ukraine’s favor. Still praying for victory!
2/3 Looking at Julija Kochetova’s photo reportage from Pokrovsk, the wonderful scent of lilacs takes on a new, haunting dimension. In Ukraine’s towns, full of blooming lilacs, the air mingles with the smell of decomposing bodies beneath the rubble of bombed homes.
May 22, 2025 at 1:55 PM
2/3 Looking at Julija Kochetova’s photo reportage from Pokrovsk, the wonderful scent of lilacs takes on a new, haunting dimension. In Ukraine’s towns, full of blooming lilacs, the air mingles with the smell of decomposing bodies beneath the rubble of bombed homes.
1/3 Spring blossoms have always carried a hint of melancholy for me. In the words In the words of Lithuanian classic Salomėja Neris: "I wasn’t yet - Lilacs were blooming. I’ll be gone - They’ll bloom again."
May 22, 2025 at 1:55 PM
1/3 Spring blossoms have always carried a hint of melancholy for me. In the words In the words of Lithuanian classic Salomėja Neris: "I wasn’t yet - Lilacs were blooming. I’ll be gone - They’ll bloom again."
On this Labour Day, a thought—and a warning—from one of the Bund’s foundational texts, On Agitation (1894), attributed to Kremer (and Martov): "Nothing is easier than to deceive the worker and prove to him that shortening the working day is impossible". 1/2
May 3, 2025 at 10:25 AM
On this Labour Day, a thought—and a warning—from one of the Bund’s foundational texts, On Agitation (1894), attributed to Kremer (and Martov): "Nothing is easier than to deceive the worker and prove to him that shortening the working day is impossible". 1/2
Bureaucracy kills. My colleagues raised the latest round of support for Ukrainian historians fighting on the front lines at the end of November, but unfortunately, the purchased equipment only reached the soldiers a week ago.
#StandWithUkraine #LithuaniaSupportsUkraine #SolidarityInAction
#StandWithUkraine #LithuaniaSupportsUkraine #SolidarityInAction
April 7, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Bureaucracy kills. My colleagues raised the latest round of support for Ukrainian historians fighting on the front lines at the end of November, but unfortunately, the purchased equipment only reached the soldiers a week ago.
#StandWithUkraine #LithuaniaSupportsUkraine #SolidarityInAction
#StandWithUkraine #LithuaniaSupportsUkraine #SolidarityInAction
Meanwhile, on the second floor, the exhibition Repeat After Me II by the OPEN Group — originally presented in the Polish Pavilion at the 2024 Venice Biennale — offers a striking counterpoint.
April 3, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Meanwhile, on the second floor, the exhibition Repeat After Me II by the OPEN Group — originally presented in the Polish Pavilion at the 2024 Venice Biennale — offers a striking counterpoint.
It’s fascinating to discover what our neighbors in Poland were creating in the 1970s. Even as one is left with the sense that elements of this technically driven film avant-garde had already been — or would later be — taken up by other moving-image experimenters.
April 3, 2025 at 12:21 PM
It’s fascinating to discover what our neighbors in Poland were creating in the 1970s. Even as one is left with the sense that elements of this technically driven film avant-garde had already been — or would later be — taken up by other moving-image experimenters.
On the ground floor: Beyond the Script. Workshop of the Film Form presents radical film experimenters from the Łódź Film School. Think Wojciech Bruszewski, Ryszard Waśko, Zbigniew Rybczyński, and Andrzej Różycki
April 3, 2025 at 12:21 PM
On the ground floor: Beyond the Script. Workshop of the Film Form presents radical film experimenters from the Łódź Film School. Think Wojciech Bruszewski, Ryszard Waśko, Zbigniew Rybczyński, and Andrzej Różycki
To those who say Lithuanians support Ukraine only under the "safe" umbrella of NATO and the EU — think again. Our solidarity goes back generations. In the 19th century, Lithuanians were banned from using the Latin alphabet, and Ukrainians were banned from printing in their own language. 1/3
March 21, 2025 at 11:41 AM
To those who say Lithuanians support Ukraine only under the "safe" umbrella of NATO and the EU — think again. Our solidarity goes back generations. In the 19th century, Lithuanians were banned from using the Latin alphabet, and Ukrainians were banned from printing in their own language. 1/3
I would love to see their works side by side—perhaps in an exhibition exploring how two artists from different backgrounds arrived at such a similar artistic and philosophical sensibility!
March 20, 2025 at 10:17 AM
I would love to see their works side by side—perhaps in an exhibition exploring how two artists from different backgrounds arrived at such a similar artistic and philosophical sensibility!
A few decades later, Lithuanian graphic artist Algimantas Švėgžda would begin to paint similarly 'simple' still lifes: eggs, apples, or dying blossoms against a calm background. Both Hnizdovsky and Švėgžda transformed these objects into meditative reflections on time, mortality, and stillness.
March 20, 2025 at 10:17 AM
A few decades later, Lithuanian graphic artist Algimantas Švėgžda would begin to paint similarly 'simple' still lifes: eggs, apples, or dying blossoms against a calm background. Both Hnizdovsky and Švėgžda transformed these objects into meditative reflections on time, mortality, and stillness.
Even as we celebrate, we do not forget Ukraine. Wrapped in Lithuanian & Ukrainian flags, we paddle together in one boat, floating on a river of Irish green! #StPatricksDay #Vilnius #StandWithUkraine #uzupis
March 17, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Even as we celebrate, we do not forget Ukraine. Wrapped in Lithuanian & Ukrainian flags, we paddle together in one boat, floating on a river of Irish green! #StPatricksDay #Vilnius #StandWithUkraine #uzupis
Are we living in a spy thriller? For decades, Hollywood has painted Russians as villains—first as Soviet hardliners, now as oligarchs, mafia bosses, and spies. But here’s the plot twist: Trump’s geopolitical stance is aligning with them in real life. When fiction becomes reality, what’s next?
March 7, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Are we living in a spy thriller? For decades, Hollywood has painted Russians as villains—first as Soviet hardliners, now as oligarchs, mafia bosses, and spies. But here’s the plot twist: Trump’s geopolitical stance is aligning with them in real life. When fiction becomes reality, what’s next?
Just came from a ceremony where Lithuania’s highest state awards were presented to scientists—among them, my former thesis supervisor, Professor Bairašauskaitė. The speeches were brief, but one theme stood out: the empire is awakening, and its appetite is growing. 1/3
#Lithuania
#Lithuania
March 4, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Just came from a ceremony where Lithuania’s highest state awards were presented to scientists—among them, my former thesis supervisor, Professor Bairašauskaitė. The speeches were brief, but one theme stood out: the empire is awakening, and its appetite is growing. 1/3
#Lithuania
#Lithuania
The visit to the White House brings to mind a chapter of history that every Lithuanian knows—the moment when our nation was forced to accept two ultimatums, issued by both the Soviets and the Nazis.
March 1, 2025 at 8:37 PM
The visit to the White House brings to mind a chapter of history that every Lithuanian knows—the moment when our nation was forced to accept two ultimatums, issued by both the Soviets and the Nazis.
The russians are destroying Ukrainian textbooks but leaving monuments to Lesya Ukrainka and Taras Shevchenko—because later, they’ll label them as russian. A thought from #MykolaRiabchuk 's lecture. #russiancolonization
February 11, 2025 at 1:05 PM
The russians are destroying Ukrainian textbooks but leaving monuments to Lesya Ukrainka and Taras Shevchenko—because later, they’ll label them as russian. A thought from #MykolaRiabchuk 's lecture. #russiancolonization
The greatest joy in life often comes from its smallest pleasures.
As Bertolt Brecht beautifully caught in Vergnügungen (Pleasures):
As Bertolt Brecht beautifully caught in Vergnügungen (Pleasures):
January 9, 2025 at 2:11 PM
The greatest joy in life often comes from its smallest pleasures.
As Bertolt Brecht beautifully caught in Vergnügungen (Pleasures):
As Bertolt Brecht beautifully caught in Vergnügungen (Pleasures):
Some nerdy stuff about the peculiarities of working in Soviet-Era archives
#SovietArchives
#HistoricalResearch
#ArchivalChallenges
#VytautasMerkys
#Chernobyl
#SovietEra
#Censorship
#HistoricalObstacles
#HistoryMatters
#ResearchLife
#BalticHistory
#ColdWarHistory
#SovietUnion
#SovietArchives
#HistoricalResearch
#ArchivalChallenges
#VytautasMerkys
#Chernobyl
#SovietEra
#Censorship
#HistoricalObstacles
#HistoryMatters
#ResearchLife
#BalticHistory
#ColdWarHistory
#SovietUnion
December 20, 2024 at 8:16 PM
Some nerdy stuff about the peculiarities of working in Soviet-Era archives
#SovietArchives
#HistoricalResearch
#ArchivalChallenges
#VytautasMerkys
#Chernobyl
#SovietEra
#Censorship
#HistoricalObstacles
#HistoryMatters
#ResearchLife
#BalticHistory
#ColdWarHistory
#SovietUnion
#SovietArchives
#HistoricalResearch
#ArchivalChallenges
#VytautasMerkys
#Chernobyl
#SovietEra
#Censorship
#HistoricalObstacles
#HistoryMatters
#ResearchLife
#BalticHistory
#ColdWarHistory
#SovietUnion
My mind and memory are fragmented, composed of countless episodes, and as the year draws to a close, I reflect on some of the most enduring ones. Among them are the words of Oksana Karpovych the director of #Intercepted, a film I saw this year. She speaks on russian guilt:
December 19, 2024 at 4:01 PM
My mind and memory are fragmented, composed of countless episodes, and as the year draws to a close, I reflect on some of the most enduring ones. Among them are the words of Oksana Karpovych the director of #Intercepted, a film I saw this year. She speaks on russian guilt:
Vilnius feels quite grey in December, but the symbols of solidarity with Sakartvelo shine like beacons of light! #StandWithGeorgia #SolidarityWithSakartvelo #SupportGeorgia #FreedomForGeorgia #StrongerTogether #საქართველოსთანერთად
December 4, 2024 at 11:53 AM
Vilnius feels quite grey in December, but the symbols of solidarity with Sakartvelo shine like beacons of light! #StandWithGeorgia #SolidarityWithSakartvelo #SupportGeorgia #FreedomForGeorgia #StrongerTogether #საქართველოსთანერთად
The Lithuanian national movement sought partners within the broader nationalist currents of Eastern and Central Europe. In 1909, Antanas Smetona—later the first president of Lithuania and, regrettably, its first authoritarian leader—advocated for collaboration and conciliation with the Ukrainians.
November 28, 2024 at 12:58 PM
The Lithuanian national movement sought partners within the broader nationalist currents of Eastern and Central Europe. In 1909, Antanas Smetona—later the first president of Lithuania and, regrettably, its first authoritarian leader—advocated for collaboration and conciliation with the Ukrainians.
Duolingo & coffee are my morning rituals. Today’s lessons hit deep: 'Ukraine is an independent country' (Україна — незалежна країна); 'My mind is on Ukraine' (Моя думка про Україну); 'Our dream is independence' (Наша мрія — незалежність). 33 years on, Ukrainians still fight to keep these words true.
November 27, 2024 at 3:34 PM
Duolingo & coffee are my morning rituals. Today’s lessons hit deep: 'Ukraine is an independent country' (Україна — незалежна країна); 'My mind is on Ukraine' (Моя думка про Україну); 'Our dream is independence' (Наша мрія — незалежність). 33 years on, Ukrainians still fight to keep these words true.
Given how rare it is to find historical evidence about queer experiences in the provinces of the Russian Empire at the turn of the 20th century, the brief mention in Antanas Didžiulis's memoirs about a 'pederast' teacher in Mintauja (Jelgava) is striking!
November 26, 2024 at 3:57 PM
Given how rare it is to find historical evidence about queer experiences in the provinces of the Russian Empire at the turn of the 20th century, the brief mention in Antanas Didžiulis's memoirs about a 'pederast' teacher in Mintauja (Jelgava) is striking!
A typical protest in such a society:
November 24, 2024 at 4:05 PM
A typical protest in such a society: