After its nearly month-long stay at Paliesius Manor, we invite you to a special afternoon—a farewell to the cycle of twelve lithographs, “King Solomon’s Song of Songs” by Litvak artist Théo Tobiasse, from the collection of Dr. Shmuel Tatz.
This event opens a new cycle of cultural encounters dedicated to the theme of the 2026 European Days of Jewish Culture: love. We have chosen to explore this theme of love through one of humanity’s oldest and most beautiful texts—the “Song of Songs” (Shir ha-Shirim), which for over two millennia has inspired poets, painters, musicians, and thinkers to continually reimagine love, beauty, and our connection to one another.
During the afternoon, surrounded by these works of art, poet Indrė Valantinaitė will read excerpts from the “Song of Songs,” while pianist and painter Viktoras Paukštelis crafts a sonic landscape with piano music. Théo Tobiasse’s lithographs, live poetry readings, and the music of the piano will merge into a seamless artistic narrative of timeless love.
About the project
Four distinct narratives meet in this project: a cycle of twelve lithographs created in 1975 by Litvak artist Théo Tobiasse (1927–2012), wherein Jewish cultural memory, echoes of Lithuanian landscapes, and the universal experience of love entwine; the longstanding work of Litvak art collector Dr. Shmuel Tatz, which helps return Litvak art to Lithuania’s cultural memory; and two contemporary creators—poet Indrė Valantinaitė and pianist and painter Viktoras Paukštelis—whose own creative work continually transcends the boundaries of a single medium. In this project, they speak in the languages of poetry and music, continuing Théo Tobiasse’s dialogue with one of the Bible’s most poetic texts.
The project is implemented by the Vilnius Jewish Public Library (a branch of the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania), Paliesius Manor, and Paideia—The European Institute for Jewish Studies in Stockholm.
Project curator – Liana Jagniatinskytė.
Exhibition designer – Aleksandra Jacovskytė.
We invite you to immerse yourself in the story of the “Song of Songs” through a journey of imagery, poetry, and music. It will be a living dialogue of love, art, and cultures.