Lithuania commemorated the 107th anniversary of the restoration of the state and the 150th anniversary of the birth of artist Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis with a special concert at Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul on Monday.

Lithuania's State Restoration Day, observed on Feb. 16, marks the signing of the Act of Independence in 1918, a defining moment in the country's history that ended foreign rule and reestablished its sovereignty.

The concert featured the Ciurlionis Quartet, a leading chamber ensemble from Lithuania.

Named after Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis (1875–1911) — a pioneering composer, painter and cultural icon — the quartet has been performing since 1968 under the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society.

According to the Lithuanian Embassy in Seoul, the quartet, which performs around 80 concerts annually with a repertoire of over 300 works, is renowned for its expressiveness, technical precision and artistic depth.

Speaking to The Korea Herald on Tuesday, Lithuanian Ambassador to Korea Ricardas Slepavicius noted the concert in its third edition had been organized by the embassy at Myeongdong Cathedral.

“We chose this celebration to showcase Lithuania’s rich culture and history, which connect both Lithuania and Korea through shared similarities," he said, underlining cultural connections between Lithuania and Korea.

According to Slepavicius, the emotional bond between Lithuania and Korea and the moods of the Korean and Lithuanian people share a common sentiment.

“The concert was special — not just as a celebration, but as a symbol of Lithuania’s national identity," said Slepavicius.

Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis was a pioneer of European symbolism, Art Nouveau and abstract art, creating around 300 works in just six years. Blending folklore, spirituality and dreamlike imagery, he left a lasting impact on music and the visual arts.

Though little known internationally during his lifetime, he is now globally recognized for his artistic innovations, the ambassador underscored, noting Ciurlionis' legacy has been recognized by UNESCO.

"Both Lithuania and Korea have made significant cultural contributions to the global art scene, demonstrating the global significance of Lithuanian cultural art," he told The Korea Herald.

"We admire Korean culture and global art, and we are happy to share our own heritage. Independence carries a much deeper message, especially for a Korean audience," Slepavicius added.

As part of the group’s visit, the group is set to perform in Seoul, Daejeon, Daegu and Busan, fostering cultural exchanges between Lithuania and Korea.

The concert was attended by over 600 people, including ordinary Korean people and members of the diplomatic community.