These seven stainless steel letters have a rich history – they made up the original sign that graced the top of the Soviet-era Lietuva movie theatre. It was created by artist Linas Katinas, who was inspired by logo of airlines “SAS”. After the theatre was closed in 2005, the building changed hands more than once, and there were plans to build offices or apartment buildings in the site. But as a result of public protest against the increasing loss of cultural spaces in the city and pressure from the movement “Lithuania Without Quotation Marks,” the Lietuva site was zoned as non-commercial.
In 2014 it was decided that a modern art museum would replace the iconic movie theatre. Before demolition of the building began, the Modern Art Centre organised a symbolic farewell with the Lietuva. Vilnius residents had the chance to visit the old movie theatre one last time and a special exhibition was organised to mark the event. 2018 saw the opening of MO Museum – an open cultural space that will not only host visual art exhibitions but will continue the Lietuva’s tradition of screening films. The theatre’s preserved signage symbolizes the preservation of memory and creating transformation of the past.