Audioguía Interwar Tatar Route

Tatars – one of the oldest Muslim communities on the territory of the former Grand Dutchy of Lithuania, and Vilnius is one of the main centers of their historical presence.

In the 20th century, when Vilnius was part of an interwar Poland, the city became the capital of Tatar cultural and religious revival. It was here, where muftiate and museum operated, scholarly researches were conducted, magazines were published. During this period, despite their relatively small numbers, Tatars made a strong mark, reminding to others of their presence.

This tour – our attempt to recall the existence of the Tatar community in Vilnius, to lead visitors along the streets, where Tatar life was once flourished, where Tatar organizations worked, and thanks to whose activities, we have lots of valuable information about that period and the community as a whole. This rout offers participants a unique opportunity to discover a little-known, but significant part of Vilnius history – the story of the Tatar community, which for centuries was an integral part of the city’s cultural landscape. Familiarity with Tatar heritage will help foster respect for multiculturalism and intercultural dialogue.

A team of researchers and designers worked on the creation of this interactive route, united by the desire to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of the Tatar community in Vilnius. Our values are mutual respect, cultural inclusivity and open access to knowledge.

The project was implemented thanks to the support of the IDUB UW program from the University of Warsaw, whose help allowed us to make the history of the Vilna Tatars visible.

Team:

Researcher- Andrey Levchenko

Curator- Anhelina Branitskaya

Designer- Yahor Davydzenka

Sound Editor- Andrei Kudinov