A project based on stories of Lithuanians who were exiled to the USSR in the 1940s-50s. Publication includes documents, photos taken by me in Lithuania in 2017 & photos taken by Steponas, one of the exiles, in the labour camp in Siberia.
Following the publication, a documentary film was produced collaboratively with Agota Balnione. (link below) The latter explores stories by 4 Lithuanians from their memories. Including my family members and their perspective of their experience as exiles while hiding in Lithuania. It also includes old photographs to visually demonstrate life back in the day.
The title of the project ‘Tremtyje’ means in exile, and I chose to write it in the Cyrillic alphabet because back when Lithuania was part of the USSR you were not allowed Lithuanian books. And this title, you are only able to read it if you know Lithuanian because it is a Lithuanian word.
This project made me reconnect with my roots on a deeper level. I come from Lithuania but moved away at the age of 15 and during the past years I have lived in Sweden, the UK, and Australia. So this project made me think more about my bond with my home country in the sense that I had more of a choice to move while back in the day people didn’t. And I have also learned a lot about the part of the family from my mother’s side. My great-grandfather passed away in Siberia and I only discovered more of this story while interviewing my grandfather’s sisters because he himself passed away years ago. This made me discover more of who I am as a person too.
The project was exhibited at KLAVB in Klaipėda, Lithuania October 1st 2024 – January 4th 2025.
