At the M. K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Art, V. Putvinskio g. 55, Kaunas, on Thursday, September 11, at 5:30 p.m., we invite you to Laura Stukonytė's lecture-tour "The Unknown Sea: Then and Now" at the exhibition "From Amber to Stars. Together with M. K. Čiurlionis:Now and then"

Since ancient times, the sea has both frightened and fascinated people with its mystery. It was a gateway to new worlds, an important source of food, and a source of inspiration for incredible stories. Mermaids, sea monsters, flying ghost ships, and other mythical creatures are woven into the folklore of many European countries. But what could have inspired such stories, and how has humanity's knowledge of the sea changed over time? Limited knowledge of the ocean and irresponsible human behavior have led to the deterioration of the ecological condition of the underwater world. This is evidenced by the oxygen-depleted dead zones that have formed in the sea due to pollution, which are also addressed and displayed in the exhibition installations.

Laura Stukonytė is a marine biologist and ocean science communicator. Through her work, which encompasses scientific research, education, and science communication, Laura seeks to combine scientific understanding and public engagement in the protection of the underwater world, which is mysterious to many but infinitely important to us all. Recognizing the lack of public education on ocean-related topics in Lithuania, Laura and her like-minded colleagues founded the non-profit organization Po bangom (Under the Waves) in 2021, which aims to educate people about the importance of the ocean and its ecosystems and inspire them to protect it. During her scientific career, Laura has conducted research on whales and seals, and is currently a doctoral student at Vilnius University, studying the impact of climate change on gray seals in the Baltic Sea. Laura also works for the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission's ocean observation program, which helps to convey the importance of ocean observation to countries around the world.

This meeting is part of a series of events accompanying the exhibition "From Amber to Stars. Together with M. K. Čiurlionis:Now and then" on display at the M. K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Art.

The event is included in the museum admission ticket.

We cordially invite you to attend.

The event is open to the public and may be filmed and photographed. By participating in the event, you agree to be visible in photos and videos of the event and are informed that these photos and videos may be published publicly.

--- --- ---

EVENT INFORMATION

Date and time: September 11, 2025 at 5:30 PM

Venue: M. K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Art

Address: V. Putvinskio st. 55, Kaunas

More: HERE

--- --- ---

ORGANIZER

M. K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Art