Article

Original Artwork: The Vilnius Project: The Time We Danced — Testimony of Chaika-II — Backgrounds

Author

• • Ms Julia-Anna Simonchuk julia.simonchuk@me.com Email Ms Julia-Anna Simonchuk. (compose email, opens in email app.)

Abstract

This essay describes and analyses the discourse within three short films — The Time We Danced, Testimony of Chaika-II, and Backgrounds — which comprise Julia-Anna Simonchuk’s The Vilnius Project. The text introduces the project's background before delving into the subjective realm of the author's experience. It explores the feelings and observations gathered during her visits to Lukiškės Prison 2.0 and the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights, which ultimately led to the development of this moving-image trilogy. Links to the films are available at the end of the article.

Keywords: Artist moving image, documentary photography, photography as a document, witnessing, hauntology, collaboration, Soviet occupation, Nazi German occupation, Holocaust.

How to Cite: Simonchuk, J. (2026) “Original Artwork: The Vilnius Project: The Time We Danced — Testimony of Chaika-II — Backgrounds”, Slovo. 37(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.14324/111.444.0954-6839.2304