An Exceptional Evening with Director Algimantas Puipa in Šiauliai

On 15 July 2026 at 6 p.m., Zubovai Palace hosted one of the events in the programme of the international artists’ symposium-creative workshops “Sunny Šiauliai” – a screening of director Algimantas Puipa’s film “Ticket to Taj Mahal” (1991). Film lovers had an exceptional opportunity not only to see once again a film that has become a classic of Lithuanian cinema, but also to meet its director in person, hear stories about the creative process and behind-the-scenes moments from filming, and ask questions.
Organised by Šiauliai Culture Centre. Funded by Šiauliai City Municipality.

The evening began with a meeting with director Algimantas Puipa – one of Lithuania’s most prominent and distinctive film directors, who over five decades of creative work has made numerous films that have become classics of Lithuanian cinema, with his works receiving recognition at international film festivals on multiple occasions. Although best known as a film director, A. Puipa also frequently picks up a paintbrush – this year, he is also participating in the international artists’ symposium-creative workshops “Sunny Šiauliai”.

It is already becoming a beautiful tradition that, while participating in the symposium, the director also presents screenings of his films to Šiauliai audiences. Last year, visitors to “Sunny Šiauliai” were introduced to his latest film “Night Screening” (2025), while in 2024, “Cinephilia” (2021) was presented. This year, audiences revisited the 1991 film “Ticket to Taj Mahal”.

Before the film screening, the director shared the story behind the making of “Ticket to Taj Mahal”, recalled behind-the-scenes moments from filming and spoke about the creative process. During the event, art historian Dr Dalia Karatajienė also shared her thoughts on the director’s work and his contribution to Lithuanian cinema. Following the conversation, the audience was invited to watch the 1991 film “Ticket to Taj Mahal”.

Based on motifs from Romualdas Šavelis’ short story “Fabijonas”, the film takes viewers to a Lithuanian village in the post-war period, where the family of Fabijonas Motuzas lives under constant tension. Their everyday life is overshadowed by regular visits from NKVD soldiers and partisans, while Fabijonas, exhausted by the oppressive reality, discovers a book about the Taj Mahal and begins to create a different world of his own – one filled with beauty, love and hope. It is a story about a person’s inner freedom, the power of imagination and the desire to remain true to oneself in the face of historical upheaval.

The film stars well-known Lithuanian actors Saulius Kizas, Ilona Balsytė, Mindaugas Andriukaitis, Nijolė Narmontaitė, Kostas Smoriginas, Vidas Petkevičius and others. In 1991, the film received the Ecumenical Jury Prize at the 9th Munich International Film Festival and was also presented at international film festivals in Vienna and Riga.

Information is provided by Kristina Alseikė, Event Organiser at the Exhibitions Department of Šiauliai Culture Centre, tel. +370 658 80 507, e-mail kristina.alseike@siauliukc.lt.

Photo by Rolandas Parafinavičius.