Alytaus kraštotyros muziejus - dzūkiškojo paveldo saugotojas

LTAlytaus kraštotyros muziejus - seniausias ir didžiausias muziejus Dzūkijoje, savo rinkiniuose saugantis daugiau nei 120 000 eksponatų. Jau beveik šimtą metų čia renkami, prižiūrimi ir visuomenei pristatomi Dzūkijos lobiai, liudijantys šio regiono ypatumus. įprasta manyti, kad dzūkiškasis kodas slypi kaimiškos aplinkos daiktuose, rankų darbo audiniuose, senovės dainose ar kalboje, tačiau muziejaus eksponatai atskleidžia daug platesnę dzūkiškumo sampratą. Straipsnyje aprašoma muziejaus istorija, rinkinių formavimo etapai ir dzūkiškasis paveldas, užkoduotas muziejuje saugomuose artefaktuose. Tai bus pirmas bandymas muziejines vertybes įvertinti dzūkiškajame kontekste. Raktažodžiai: dzūkiškumas, muziejus, eksponatas, paveldas.

ENAlytus Museum of Ethnography is the oldest and largest museum in Dzūkija holding over 120 000 exhibits in its collections. Treasures of Dzūkija presenting peculiarities of this region are collected, taken care of and presented to the society. It is generally assumed that the Dzūkai code is hidden in the things of the country environment, hand-woven cloths, ancient songs or the dialect, but the exhibits reveal much wider concept of the Dzūkai spirit. The history of the Museum started 24 April, 1928, after the registration of Alytus Museum. In 1934, the Society of Dzūkai Regional Studies was founded. In 1935 Alytus Museum was joined to the Society of Dzūkai Regional Studies and named the Dzūkai Museum. During WW2 almost all the exhibits were lost. In 1947 the Museum was renamed into Alytus Museum of Ethnography. In 1957, under the management of Henrikas Lizdenis, archaeological and ethnographical exhibits from Varėna region were added to the collections. The Departments of History and Archaeology, Folk Art and Socialistic Construction were established in the House of Culture. In 1981 the Museum was settled in the renovated building in Margytės St. 6 (now Savanorių St). In 1988 the Museum was rebuilt, and new expositions were arranged. In 1990 two new branches of the Museum were established: Anzelmas Matutis and A. Jonynas memorial museums. In 2013 the Museum of Archaeology was opened; In 2014 the main building was renovated, and in 2021 the Centre of Audio-Visual Arts was established.The main part of the Dzūkai collection belongs to Ethnography. It holds 3029 exhibits. A large part of the collection is made up by textiles, the most prominent of which are: 140 collections of nation al woven sashes, 200 bed-cloths, 45 towels, 41 aprons. The most interesting household utensils are 60 straw-woven dishes for keeping various grain products. The collection of wooden utensils consists of 24 towel hangers and 24 clothes-chests. The collection of ethnography is most often presented to society: during the period of ten years, 9 exhibitions have been organized, and 4 catalogues have been published. The exhibits of Dzūkai heritage can be found among the collections of writings: books, newspapers and magazines, documents, calendars, posters, and election materials. A separate group of exhibits can be distinguished: those with the word Dzūkija or Dzūkas in their name. There are over 200 of them. Besides the publications, the name Dzūkija is used on badges (19), pennants (5), and in audio recordings (9). The Dzūkai exhibits are supplemented by 140 badges with towns and settlements of Dzūkija. The postcards and photos with views of Dzūkija are also included in the Dzūkai heritage. This list contains cards with reproductions of A. Žmuidzinavičius and M. K. Čiurlionis pictures. The art collection holds the works of artists from Dzūkija. The Dzūkai heritage is also reflected in all works of Folk-Art artists.The Dzūkai roots can be found in A. Matutis’ collections which were greatly inspired by the nature of Dzūkija, especially the forests and the tours around Dzūkija and by its rivers. The exhibits of the Museum have been evaluated according to Dzūkian traditions for the first time. So far, we cannot tell the exact number of exhibits with the Dzūkai code. It is difficult to decide what can be considered as a real Dzūkai origin and what does not correspond to this definition.