December 5, 2022 - December 8
In 1934, the three-act dramatic legend by artist and writer Sholom Zelmanovich was published in Yiddish in Kaunas. He illustrated the play about Count Valentine Potocki, who converted from Christianity to Judaism, with 16 drawings depicting various mystical scenes and the old Jewish cemetery in Vilnius, where his father worked as the caretaker. After years of oblivion, this impressive play, as well as this fascinating artistic personality, are “resurrected” and given new life. Today, this publication, translated to Lithuanian and English, reveals undiscovered layers of Litvak art.
Laurie B. Cowan, a relative of the author and the sponsor of the publication, is the special guest at the event. Dr Arūnas Gelūnas, Director General of the Lithuanian National Museum of Art, Olga Polevikova, Head of The Old Theatre of Vilnius, and book artist Ula Šimulynaitė will share their impressions. Dr Vilma Gradinskaitė, the compiler of the book, will present the life and work of Sholom Zelmanovich, and will reveal the secrets of the bohemian life in Kaunas.
