International exhibition "Vytis and Lelija. Manuscripts of translations of Bulla INEFAFALIS DEUS from the Vatican Apostolic Library at the Rokiškis Regional Museum", 2025. October 18 - 2026. January 17

The international exhibition "Vytis and Lily" was opened at the Rokiškis Regional Museum, which was prepared for the first time in the history of Lithuanian museums in cooperation with the Vatican Apostolic Library. It is a unique bridge of culture and faith, connecting Lithuania and the Vatican, history and the present. The exhibition presents illustrated translations of the bull Ineffabilis Deus of Pope Pius IX by three countesses – Marija Tyzenhauzaitė-Pšezdzeckienė, Idalija Sobianskytė-Broel-Pliaterienė and Natalija Bisping-Kicka. In 1854, this bull proclaimed the Blessed Virgin Mary. The dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary is one of the most important documents of the Catholic Church of the nineteenth century.

One of the initiators of the exhibition, Giedrius Kujelis, Deputy Director of the Rokiškis Regional Museum, was looking for ways to meaningfully commemorate the Rokiškis St. The 140th anniversary of the consecration of the Church of St. Matthew the Evangelist, ignited a spark that turned into a project that grew into an international cultural event.

The coordinator of the exhibition, museum curator Santa Kančytė, recalled: "At first, it seemed that it would be too much of a challenge for a small town, but we were guided by gratitude – to the people who created this city, founded the church, and donated cultural values to the country. And when we started, discoveries led one after the other forward."

One of such discoveries is the news about the Lithuanian translation of the bull, which the museum curator found only through one bibliographic reference in the catalogue of the Vatican Library. "At that time, I had to dare to ask the library to lend not one, but two manuscripts," smiles S. Kančytė.

The trust was strengthened by the Ambassador of Lithuania to the Holy See and to the Order of Malta, Dr. Sigita Maslauskaitė-Mažylienė, whose mediation helped to achieve that two manuscripts created by the Counts would be exhibited in Lithuania for the first time.

"You repeated that you are small. But the professionalism was immediately apparent – there is no doubt that you will do everything perfectly," said the ambassador, thanking the museum team.

The artistic concept of the exhibition was formed by curators Dr. Aušra Vasiliauskienė and Dr. Skirmantė Smilingytė-Žeimienė. They say that there was not much time, but the people of Rokiškė were able to prepare for a complex exposition, which included exhibits not only from the Vatican, but also from the National Museum of Krakow, the Orsay Museum in Paris, Lithuanian museums and private collections.

The director of the museum, Aušra Gudgalienė, admitted that the road was not easy: "Sometimes our hands were shaken, but we were supported by our partners – AB Rokiškio sūris, the dean of Rokiškis parish Eimantas Novikas, and Ambassador Sigita. Everyone felt that this exhibition was important not only for our country, but also for the whole of Lithuania."

The patron of the exhibition, Bishop Linas Vodopjanovas OFM of Panevėžys, joked: "How good that in those days there was no television or the Internet and noble women could create masterpieces." And he ended his speech by thanking the museum staff for the wonderful exhibition and saying, "God, bless your further discoveries."

Mauro Mantovani, Prefect of the Vatican Apostolic Library, who participated in the opening ceremony of the exhibition, said that the library receives about 30 requests to lend objects stored by them every year. The project of the Rokiškis Regional Museum did not raise any doubts and was gladly agreed to lend. It was clear that these two manuscripts were important in three aspects: as historical, spiritual and linguistic heritage. The prefect hopes that these 3 things will be correctly understood and will spread a message to the visitors of the exhibition.

As a token of gratitude for the communion, the Prefect of the Vatican Apostolic Library, Mauro Mantovani, presented the museum with a gift – a pilgrim's statue on St. Peter's Basilica in 1450. A copy of the coin left behind by St. Peter's Tomb, issued in the Vatican in 2025.

After the solemn ceremony, the guests were the first to enter the exhibition halls, leaving which they said that one visit is not enough for this exhibition – there are so many layers, meanings and beauty here.