Vytautas the Great War museum: creator of the Lithuanian armed forces’ traditions and guardian of military heritage.

Straipsnyje atskleidžiama, kaip Vytauto Didžiojo karo muziejus, remdamasis geriausiomis Europos muziejininkystės tradicijomis, tyrė karybos istoriją, rengė ekspozicijas, kūrė tradicijas ir ceremonijas ir auklėjo visuomenę Tėvynės meilės dvasia. Įvertinami ir skaudūs okupacijų padariniai, išskirtinis muziejaus vaidmuo atgimimo laikotarpiu, atkuriant senąsias ir kuriant naujas tradicijas.Established in 1921, Vytautas the Great War Museum had a mission to introduce the society to the history of the development of Lithuania, its armed forces and fights for independent statehood. Following the best traditions of the European museology, the museum investigated the military history of Lithuania, collected military exhibits, drew battle pictures and arranged exhibitions. Additionally, the museum had yet another special mission, namely to educate the society in the spirit of love for the homeland. It was done through patriotic events and monuments for the Lithuanian heroes erected in the museum’s garden, celebration of public holidays and New Year’s Eve, marking All Saints’ Day, wishing the dead farewell in the main hall, etc. It proves the museum’s particular role in the life of the independent Lithuania and its merits in fostering national spirit and love for the homeland. The Lithuanian Armed Forces were effectively integrated in the activities organized by the museum. In 1930, a cornerstone was laid for a new museum building that was named in honour of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Vytautas, known as Vytautas the Great. The museum presented new exhibitions and a crypt honouring the dead unveiled in 1938, whereas a new tower boasted the first 35-bell carillon in Lithuania. Of all the museums in Lithuania, Vytautas the Great War Museum suffered the most damage during the occupations. Its name was changed four times, while the exhibits were continuously destroyed by occupants. During the first Soviet and German occupation, the losses were not significant, however, some national traditions were banned. The second Soviet occupation destroyed the museum completely eliminating its traditions and exhibits. Nevertheless, the most valuable ones were transferred to the archives of the Ministry of the Interior and special funds of the libraries. Although the destruction was overwhelming, the museum remained alive in people’s memory. In the Soviet period, the museum was called and known as the war museum despite its official names the Museum of Military History in 1940 and 1945 or Kaunas National Museum of History in 1956. It leads to the conclusion that due to the accomplished aims of the museum and cherished historical memory during the Independence period, it has endured throughout all the occupations. When Sąjūdis, the Reform Movement of Lithuania, began, the National Museum of History revived together with Lithuania. Prior to the declaration of the Act of Independence of Lithuania of 11 March 1990, the museum retrieved its initial name Vytautas the Great War Museum on 29 January 1990, actively restored its garden and made an important contribution to the revival of the state and society. Although only some employees of the museum got involved in the movement, the new exhibits and exhibitions they arranged awakened the society with the hidden and banned history. All the public holidays and celebrations were held at Vytautas the Great War Museum and its garden. The role of the museum has remained significant to present day. Not only it preserves the museum treasures, but also collects the new ones, cherishes and establishes traditions and tailors them to the modern society