Bullying is a universal issue that every country faces. It is a form of violence that can have long-lasting effects on a person’s life. In Lithuania, a group of volunteers opened the first “Bullying Museum” in the world in 2020.

Located in the city of Kaunas, this unique museum is dedicated to educating people about the effects of bullying and raising awareness about this important issue.

The establishment of Lithuania’s “Bullying Museum”

In 2018, Giedrius Drukteinis, a well-known Lithuanian photographer, launched a photography project titled “Bullying” which aimed to raise awareness about this social problem.

The project showcased portraits of victims alongside their stories of bullying, with the hope of bringing attention to the issue. Later, his project caught the attention of Karolis Pocius, a designer who then decided to turn it into a museum.

Karolis Pocius, along with a team of volunteers, spent a year setting up the museum, designing the exhibits, and gathering stories from survivors.

The museum is located in the heart of Kaunas, and visitors can walk through a series of exhibits that tell the stories of people affected by bullying. The exhibits include photos, videos, and texts, all of which aim to create an immersive experience for visitors.

Exhibits at the “Bullying Museum”

The exhibits at the “Bullying Museum” are designed to be interactive and engaging, with the hope of creating an emotional connection to the issue.

One of the most striking exhibits is a wall of more than 1000 portraits of children and teenagers who have experienced bullying. Visitors can wander through the portraits, reading stories from the victims, and learning about their experiences.

The museum also features a room with an installation made of glass bottles, each one filled with notes from bullying victims. The notes include the names of bullies, the date and time of the incident, and how the victim felt.

The installation represents the emotional weight of bullying and aims to show the long-lasting effects it can have on a person’s life.

Another exhibit features a giant mirror with text on it that reads “The bully within us”.

Visitors can stand in front of the mirror and reflect on their past actions and words, questioning whether they may have contributed to the problem of bullying. This thought-provoking exhibit aims to encourage visitors to take responsibility for their actions and to help solve the problem of bullying.

The impact of the “Bullying Museum”

The “Bullying Museum” has become an important tool for educating people about bullying and raising awareness about its effects.

Since its opening, the museum has attracted visitors from all over Lithuania and beyond, including school groups, families, and individuals. The museum has also become a center for advocacy and policy change, with volunteers and supporters continuing to push for more effective ways of combating the problem of bullying.

At the end of the museum tour, visitors have the opportunity to take a stand against bullying by signing a petition to support anti-bullying efforts.

The museum hopes that this small act will inspire visitors to speak out against bullying and to take action in their own communities.

Conclusion

The “Bullying Museum” in Kaunas, Lithuania, is a powerful reminder of the damage that bullying can inflict on a person’s life.

Through its exhibits, the museum aims to raise awareness about the issue and to encourage visitors to take action in their own communities. The museum serves as a reminder that bullying is a universal problem that requires continued attention and action to resolve.