The oldest Lithuanian cinema "Romuva" on April 22. will open its doors to visitors. After the reconstruction, two modern halls will be waiting for the audience here, the enlarged stage will be able to host performances of music, theater, dance and other performers. The historical building will become a cozy, modern, bold and open cultural space. Introducing and updating the logo and name - Kino namai "Romuva".
A reborn interwar gem
"This is a very important and significant event in the cultural life of Kaunas. The long-awaited opening of "Romuva" will give the people of Kaunas the opportunity to return to their favorite cinema, with which many have fond memories. Kaunas will again be enriched with a modern film program of high artistic value", Rūta Mašanauskaitė, director of Romuva Cinema House, shared her thoughts.
The festive opening event will invite pounikals to take a walk Art Deco the cinema spaces that have preserved elements, get to know the exhibition dedicated to the building and its history, and try out the new cinema halls.
The first visitors will be treated to a special program - a night movie marathon, which will allow you to forget about everyday problems for a while and immerse yourself in magical adventures.
A special program has been prepared
"Cinema is an important part of culture, and Romuva has symbolized quality and evokes nostalgic memories for Kaunas since the interwar period. I am glad that the reconstruction, which took a long time, was finally completed. Let the new cinema spaces become a strong attraction for the people of Kaunas, and let the films, cultural activities and events shown here provide even more pleasant experiences and cozy moments", said Kaunas Mayor Visvaldas Matijošaitis.
An exceptional surprise awaits the participants of the opening event - in the newly established Kamerina cinema hall, it will be possible to see films from 1940. April 18 The classic film "The Great Symphony of Love" shown on the occasion of the opening of "Romuva". The interwar press wrote about it: "This is a film of extraordinary beauty. It's a tune for enchanted hearts. It is a golden pattern of love in the dimensions of life, full of trials and sufferings" ("Lietuvos žinios", 1940, bal. 18, p. 5.).
A wide repertoire is prepared for the audience of the night movie marathon - the premiere of the Danish comedy "Wild Men", the Norwegian film "Baby Ninja", which was awarded the best European comedy prize, the critically acclaimed "The Unbearable Weight of a Giant Talent" at the "South by Southwest" festival, together with the Vilnius International Short Film Festival a special program of short films has also been prepared. These films tell unexpected stories of ordinary people with wit and irony.
More than 80 years of history
The history of the "Romuva" building began back in 1938, when businessmen Antanas and Petras Steikūnai purchased a plot of land on Laisvės avenue and just a few years later, in April 1940, they opened the "Romuva" cinema. Between the wars, it was recognized as the most spacious, modern and original, surpassing not only cinemas in Kaunas, Lithuania, but also some Baltic countries.
In 2015, the building was awarded the European Heritage Label, and currently it is one of the symbols of modernist architecture in Kaunas, claiming to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The cinema, which has been in operation for more than eight decades, has become not only a space for quality cinema and events, but is also mentioned by many Kaunas residents as a place for meetings, dates and acquaintances.
The Romuva cinema invites Kaunas and city guests to rediscover this historical space and immerse themselves in the cultural activities taking place here.
