For visitors

From October 15 to 19, the 38th Congress of FIDEM (International Art Medal Federation) took place in Munich, Germany. Representatives of the Samogitian Museum “Alka” also participated in the event.

FIDEM brings together medal artists, researchers, and institutions from across the world. Held every two years in different countries, the congress has become a major international forum for medal art, where the medium is explored, interpreted, and presented from multiple perspectives.

This year’s theme, “Our Myths, Our Roots,” invited participants to consider medal art as a form of universal storytelling—one that helps us better understand identity, as well as regional history and culture. Participants from Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, Poland, Portugal, and many other countries engaged in discussions on what messages medals convey and what stories they tell today.

The museum was represented by Deputy Director for Cultural Activities Ingrida Vaitiekienė and exhibition curator Monika Sudintaitė.

During the conference sessions, the museum’s medal collection was presented. In her talk, “The Myth of Palemonas and Other Legends: The Search for Identity in Lithuanian Medal Art,” Monika Sudintaitė explored themes of identity in medal art, highlighting the connections between the legend of Palemonas and the Samogitian myth. The presentation attracted considerable interest and prompted participants to look up the city of Telšiai.

An exhibition of contemporary medals dedicated to this year’s FIDEM theme was opened at the Staatliche Antikensammlungen during the congress. The exhibition features works by medal artists from around the world, including Lithuania, and will be open until January 31, 2026.

Lithuanian medal artists continue to contribute actively to the international field and traditionally gather in Telšiai for the International Medal Art Symposium.