N. Pirosmani. “Boy on Donkey“, Oil on oilcloth, 100 x 80 N. Pirosmani. “Picnic“.  Oil on oilcloth, 71,5 x 104	Exhibition Pirosmani   31 December, 2008 – 31 May, 2009   Vilnius Picture Gallery (Didžioji g. 4, LT-01128, Vilnius. Tel./faksas (8-5) 2120841, tel. (8-5) 2124258) Romualdas Budrys, Director of the Lithuanian Art Museum Professor David Lordkipanidze, General Director of the Georgian National Museum Niko Pirosmanashvili (Pirosmani) 1862–1918 Virtual Exhibition	oRGANIZERS Lithuanian Art Museum Georgian National Museum GENERAL PATRON OF THE EXHIBITION INFORMATION PATRON OF THE EXHIBITION
N. Pirosmani. “Batumi“. Oil on oilcloth, 93 x 118 N. Pirosmani.  “Chef“. Oil on oilcloth, 105 x 44 cm N. Pirosmani . “Lion and Sun“. Oil on cardboard, 81 x 99 oTHER ATRONS OF THE EXHIBITION
Romualdas Budrys, Director of the Lithuanian Art Museum:   This New Year’s Eve, the national programme, “Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009”, opens with an event of exceptional importance – the art exhibit “Pirosmani” at the Vilnius Picture Gallery. In the exhibit, the National Museum of Georgia presents a collection of unique works by world-renowned artist Niko Pirosmani.   For five months, Lithuanians and visitors from abroad will have a special opportunity to acquaint themselves with Pirosmani’s extraordinary creative world. He came to the attention of the general public here in 1981, when the famous Lithuanian director Eimuntas Nekrošius staged the play “Pirosmani, Pirosmani” at the Youth Theatre in Vilnius. Even though this evocative and innovative play about Pirosmani is no longer being performed, visitors to the exhibit will have the opportunity to view video clips from it recorded by Lithuanian Television.   It is noteworthy that the “Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009” programme focuses on very different, distinctive art phenomena, thus enabling one to get a sense of Europe’s multiculturalism. I trust that Pirosmani’s work will stand out in this variety for its especially distinctive, unbelievably unique world of artistic images, which have been surprising and delighting European cultural communities since the second decade of the twentieth century. Presented for the first time in a personal exhibit in Paris in 1969, Pirosmani became a universally acclaimed artist. Nearly a century has passed since Pirosmani’s works, first exhibited in Moscow in 1913, have not only been on permanent exhibit at the National Museum of Georgia, but have also been shown over twenty times in many major European art centers and even in faraway Japan. As Grigol Robakidze, emphasizing Pirosmani’s uniqueness by world standards, correctly observed, “An anonymous Egyptian fresco, an African idol, or a vase from Crete – these are the works of art among which Pirosmani’s paintings should be reckoned, because only then can they be truly understood…” Visitors to Vilnius, European Capital of Culture, are invited to view Pirosmani’s work, and, viewing it, as Robakidze put it, “believe in Georgia…”  The Lithuanian Art Museum is proud to host the Pirosmani exhibit and extends its sincere thanks to the General Director of the National Museum of Georgia, Prof. David Lordkipanidze, as well as his colleagues Dr. Irina Arsenishvili and Ms. Maia Khachidze, and the Embassy of Georgia to the Republic of Lithuania, for the opportunity to exhibit this unique collection in Vilnius. We also thank “BTA Draudimas” (BTA Insurance), general sponsor of the exhibit, as well as the following sponsors: the Ministry of National Defence of the Republic of Lithuania, the Lithuanian Air Force, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, and the Ministry of Culture, Monuments Protection and Sport of Georgia. Without their significant support, this exhibit in Vilnius, European Capital of Culture in 2009, would not have been possible.   Professor David Lordkipanidze, General Director of the Georgian National Museum:   It is a distinct honour for the Georgian National Museum to present the magnificent works of the legendary Georgian painter Niko Pirosmani in Lithuania. Niko Pirosmani is a phenomenal artist with a timeless creativity that captivates all viewers. As his works travel triumphantly to the European capitals, his exceptional artistic talent is awaiting wider international recognition. We are most grateful and privileged to be participating in the exhibit of Pirosmani that launches the series of events planned in Vilnius, the European Capital of Culture in 2009. Today, as Georgia continues its efforts to gain recognition and become visible for its rich culture on the world map, it is our genuine belief that it is through cultural activities that we can once again be a gateway to the West, affirming Georgia’s heritage as a bridge between Eastern and Western civilizations. Relations between Georgia and Lithuania go beyond today’s festivities. We have strong historic and cultural ties that have only begun to be looked at and have yet to be fully explored. Today Lithuania continues to be a strong partner in paving our way toward Europe. We have watched the great progress made by the Lithuanian Art Museum under the strong leadership of Mr. Romualdas Budrys and we appreciate participating. We are grateful for the wonderful opportunity to begin a long and rewarding partnership between our museums. I thank all who supported and contributed to the success of this project, particularly Mr. Skaistis Mikulionis and the teams of both our museums for their efficient collaboration in preparing the exhibition. I also sincerely thank the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania to Georgia for its assistance. We hope that the exhibition will generate great public interest and will encourage visitors, especially those of younger generations, to learn more about Georgia and its culture and prompt their desire to visit and promote Georgia.