An icon of modernist architecture, appreciated internationally
Palanga’s summer reading room is one of the most prominent examples of Lithuanian modernist architecture on the seaside. The creation of the building’s author, architect Albinos Čepis, stands out for its expressive, wavy roof shape, light construction and sensitive relationship with the environment. The reading room organically blends into the pine forest and dune landscape and maintains the principle of openness and accessibility.
Photo by N.Tukaj/Lithuanian National Martynas Mažvydas Library Palanga summer reading room
The architectural value of this building has also been assessed internationally – the Palanga summer reading room and its interpretations were presented at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale, one of the most important architectural events in the world. This once again highlighted the importance of the reading room as an exceptional cultural and architectural object.
Six decades of reading tradition
The reading room has maintained its authentic purpose throughout its life, which is a rare characteristic of an architectural object. It still functions as an open public space for reading, cultural meetings and slow presence.
Over 60 years, Palanga’s summer reading room has become an integral part of the resort’s cultural identity. It is not only a reading room, but also a space of cultural memory, where a community of readers was formed and several generations of visitors grew up.
The reading room represents a slower, more attentive way of life and culture, the flourishing reading culture naturally attracts people to meetings with representatives of culture and art, and the unique architecture and environment of the reading room unites all these experiences under one roof.
Milda Govedaitė’s photo/Palanga summer reading room
Cultural program and contemporary art dialogues
In commemoration of the 60th anniversary, various cultural events will be held in the reading room throughout the season, on June 19 at 6:30 p.m. anniversary celebration is planned. During it, the history and architecture of the reading room will be presented, and the jubilee exhibition will be opened.
Throughout the summer, the reading room will host a wide cultural program – meetings with writers, literary evenings, poetry readings and musical performances presenting different creative practices and generations.
An important place is also given to contemporary art. The 2026 season will be marked by the “Soft Solids” exhibition of the artist duo “Daydreaming Objects” operating in Lithuania and Denmark. The project combines the materiality of wax with light technologies and actualizes the themes of sustainability and design, while the objects of the exhibition, replicating the architectural forms of the reading room, will highlight the interaction between architecture and art.
The reading room will also exhibit the project “Archi / Tree / tecture” of the Union of Lithuanian Architects, presented in 2025. At the Venice Architecture Biennale – an exceptionally accurate model of Palanga’s summer reading room.
Educational activities and community involvement
An important part of the activity of the reading room is education and training of young readers. The Children’s and Youth Literature Center of the National Library, together with its partners, will invite families to creative workshops, reading promotion activities and educations.
The “Knygiu starto” reading corner, which will be open throughout the summer in Palanga’s summer reading room, will invite the youngest readers and their parents to discover together books selected by specialists and suitable for various age groups.
The Palanga summer reading room invites you to celebrate the 60th anniversary and discover a place where architectural heritage, reading culture and modern creativity come together in a unique experience at the seaside.
