Visit of Stanley Balzekas and Vasaris Stanley Balzekas to the Lithuanian State Historical Archives
On October 21, the Lithuanian State Historical Archives welcomed Stanley Balzekas and Vasaris Stanley IV Balzekas – representatives of the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture in Chicago, who continue a long-standing tradition of preserving Lithuanian cultural memory.
During their visit, the guests met with Chief Archivist of Lithuania Inga Zakšauskienė and Director of the Lithuanian State Historical Archives Darius Žeruolis at the Office of the Chief Archivist of Lithuania. The meeting focused on opportunities for cooperation aimed at strengthening ties between Lithuanian archives and institutions of the Lithuanian diaspora in the United States, sharing expertise, and promoting the dissemination of Lithuanian heritage across the Atlantic.
The visitors also toured the Archives’ reading room, where they had a unique opportunity to view the birth records of their ancestors. Such moments are always special – when family histories come to life in archival documents, revealing personal connections to Lithuania.
While visiting the archival storage facilities, Stanley and Vasaris Stanley Balzekas showed great interest not only in the treasures of history but also in how these valuable documents are preserved for future generations. Discussions touched upon archival conservation processes – how to stabilize leather bindings, manage paper containing acidic residues from industrial production, ensure the quality of digitization, and maintain the reliability of backup copies.
The visit left a warm impression on both sides – it was not only an introduction to the work of the Archives but also a sincere conversation about how Lithuanians living in different countries can preserve, study, and share their common cultural heritage together.