In an innovative exploration of urban art and linguistics, researchers from Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) have undertaken a profound study of multilingual murals in the streets of Lithuania’s second-largest city, Kaunas. These murals are not merely decorative elements; they are viewed through the lens of the linguistic landscape framework—a concept that recognizes language as a spatial and visual entity interwoven with cultural identity and collective memory. The study, published in the Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, reveals the multifaceted roles that street art plays in shaping public consciousness and fostering community dialogue.
The core of this research lies in understanding how murals, especially those erected during Kaunas’ tenure as the European Capital of Culture, transcend simple aesthetic appeal. Professors Saulutė Juzelėnienė and Saulė Petronienė, leading scholars in this field, argue convincingly that these murals act as potent cultural activism tools that invoke a shared sense of history and identity among residents. By carefully blending multiple languages, historical symbols, and visual narratives, these street artworks reconfigure the spatial experience of the city, enriching both residents’ and visitors’ interactions with their environment.
One significant aspect unearthed by the study is the ability of certain murals—such as those found in Ramybės Park, Mickevičius Street, and the Kiemas Gallery—to serve as sites of remembrance for painful historical episodes like the Holocaust and mass deportations. These artworks function as mediators of collective memory, enabling individuals to engage emotionally and intellectually with the past without reducing history to oversimplified narratives. According to Professor Juzelėnienė, the emotional depth imbued in these murals opens up a vital space for reflection and education, which is crucial for societies grappling with dark historical chapters.
Kaunas’ distinctive cultural identity is heavily anchored in its historical multiculturalism, a theme underscored by Professor Petronienė. While largely perceived as one of Lithuania’s most ethnically homogeneous cities, Kaunas historically hosted diverse communities including Jews, Poles, Russians, and Germans. The murals capture this pluralistic heritage, embodying the city’s layered past and fostering a nuanced understanding of its social fabric. This artistic representation aligns with the broader theoretical framework of the linguistic landscape, which situates language use within specific local contexts through visible public signs, inscriptions, and, critically, visual symbols and colors.
This research emphasizes the importance of preserving historical consciousness in the face of contemporary geopolitical uncertainties. Professor Petronienė highlights how murals operate as accessible and effective conduits of historical awareness, ensuring that stories—both celebrated and painful—are not lost to the passage of time. By embedding these narratives into the urban environment, murals contribute to a cultural ecosystem that resists forgetting and actively engages citizens in a continuous process of collective remembrance.
Beyond their memorial function, murals in Kaunas represent a dynamic form of cultural activism. The KTU study reveals that the artwork stirs collective pride and curiosity, prompting viewers to immerse themselves more deeply in the city’s multifaceted history. This street art operates subtly yet powerfully in everyday life, inviting interaction and dialogue among diverse audiences. Professor Juzelėnienė notes that such engagement fosters a participatory history that is lived and experienced communally, fundamentally transforming residents’ relationships with their urban surroundings.
The genesis of this scholarly interest in Kaunas’ murals is, intriguingly, rooted in Professor Juzelėnienė’s personal connection to the Kiemas Gallery, where her family resides. Initial murals commemorating Jewish victims of the Holocaust spurred her to harness her expertise in international project coordination to expand this cultural initiative. This hands-on involvement exemplifies how academic inquiry and civic activism intersect, producing environments where art and memory coexist dynamically to breathe new life into public spaces.
From an urban development perspective, these murals act as catalysts for social cohesion and community revitalization. KTU researchers have established through comparative European studies—such as those examining post-industrial cities like Herlen in the Netherlands—that mural projects often galvanize local populations, fostering increased social participation well beyond the creative process itself. This case parallels transformations seen in cities like Belfast, where politically charged murals narrate the complexities of the Troubles, illustrating how wall paintings can become interactive channels of communication in contested spaces.
The communicative potential of murals is further underscored by interviews with the artists involved. These creators view their work as ongoing social actions rather than static artworks, emphasizing the evolving dialogue between the art, its surroundings, and the people who engage with it. Professor Juzelėnienė explains that this processual nature ensures murals remain alive within community memory, extending their influence indefinitely as participants continuously reinterpret their meanings across time.
While the murals central to this study are predominantly located in official cultural areas of Kaunas, the researchers recognize the existence of alternative or protest-oriented street art outside these zones. Such diversity enriches the city’s linguistic landscape, incorporating both institutional narratives and grassroots expressions that together paint a complex cultural portrait. This multiplicity of voices is essential to capturing authentic urban identities that resist homogenization.
One notable insight of the study is the counterargument against the notion that institutional involvement compromises mural authenticity. Rather than stifling creativity, official patronage has facilitated the resurfacing of silenced histories and marginalized stories. This has significant implications for how cities can leverage public art policy to nurture inclusive cultural memories, empowering younger generations unfamiliar with nuanced historical contexts to engage critically with their heritage.
Ultimately, KTU researchers argue that multilingual murals function not only as bearers of historical narratives but also as vibrant, living archives that stimulate inquiry, discourse, and emotional resonance. These artworks contribute to an urban linguistic ecology where language, visuals, and space intersect to create meaningful cultural dialogues. By highlighting the dynamic intersections between artistic expression and linguistic geography, the study opens new pathways for interdisciplinary scholarship and urban cultural policymaking.
The innovative use of murals in Kaunas exemplifies a forward-thinking model for cities worldwide seeking to reconcile heritage with contemporary identity. As walls speak through myriad languages and images, they challenge observers to reconsider the ways in which public spaces can reflect and shape communal realities. This research underscores the power of visual language as a tool for cultural activism, historical preservation, and community empowerment, ultimately illustrating that murals are more than mere decoration—they are vital instruments for shaping the soul of a city.
Subject of Research: Not applicable
Article Title: Painting the linguistic landscape of Kaunas: a study of multilingual murals in public spaces
News Publication Date: 5-Aug-2025
Web References:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01434632.2025.2539916
References:
Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development
Image Credits: KTU
Keywords: linguistic landscape, multilingual murals, street art, cultural activism, collective memory, Kaunas, European Capital of Culture, Holocaust remembrance, urban identity, public space, cultural heritage, social communication
