Exhibiting contemporary history always poses special challenges, as the memories of contemporary witnesses interact with the narratives of the exhibitions. In the case of the Soviet period of Lithuanian history, the appropriate treatment of recent history is particularly difficult. How can the experience of occupation, deportation and violence be combined with memories of everyday life? What objects from the Soviet period can be found in museum collections and how does this selection (pre)determine the view of history? What are the possibilities to illuminate the recent past in a multifaceted manner without repeating old myths and creating new ones?

We want to explore these questions together in the planned workshop and discuss possible solutions using concrete objects. A visit to the exhibition “Trapped (with central heating)” in the Former Detention House will provide additional material for our reflections. We are looking forward to the participation of museum practitioners who deal with the exhibition and dissemination of Lithuanian 20th century history and who would like to share their experiences with other interested colleagues.