The Building of Kaunas Garrison Officers' Club

The first building of Garrison Officers' club during the Interwar period was in a two-storey building designed by an unknown architect at the corner of Laisvės Alėja and A. Mickevičiaus Street (currently the premises of the Union of Political Prisoners and Deportees). When Kaunas became the temporary capital, it required new representative spaces that would allow the development of cultural conversations, so at the officer's initiative, the decision was made to build a new building for the Garrison Officers' Club. Exclusive people participated in the events that took place in the Building of Kaunas Garrison Officers' Club, and it reminded gatherings of bohemians, as they communicated as a separate community with its unique ideology and habits.

Gytis Padegimas, theatre director: Army officers where mostly the caste of intellectuals. They had enough time in between their manoeuvres. I happened to hear about certain duels and unique codes of honour. There were also poets among officers. Very large and interesting theatrical balls would take place here, with lotteries for charity and so on. These were some of the best balls in Kaunas, and to attend them was a great honour.

Rimantas Žukas, Reserve Major: The existence of Kaunas Garrison Officers' Club during the Interwar period is marked by manifestations of bohemian life. [...] During its opening, which was very grand and beautiful, a mystery play was shown about the birth of Lithuania. Back then, mystery plays were quite a young and new genre, [...] for artists and representatives of the bohemian life, it was some sort of a business card. During other celebrations at the Garrison Officers' Club one could usually see various cultural and artistic performances created not only by famous artists, but off-duty officers as well.