The Museum of the History of Lithuania Minor has announced an opening reception for the exhibition on September 4 in Klaipeda
LEON. Through the Photographer’s Eyes, 1925–1939 / LEON. Fotografo žvilgsnis 1925–1939
Mažosios Lietuvos istorijos muziejus / History Museum of Lithuania Minor
Didžioji Vandens str. 2. Klaipėda
Exhibition opening: September 4, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.
Originally from Taurage, photographer Leon Balk spent over 20 years living in England before capturing the vibrant life of Klaipéda between 1925 and 1939. His lens chronicled a remarkably diverse clientele: schoolchildren, college students, scouts, soldiers, and local families. Jewish organizations in the city were among his most prominent patrons, alongside intimate portraits of his own family. For the first time, this cross-section of his work is on display, offering surprising insights into the rich tapestry of urban life
About the Photographer
Leon Balk was born in Tauragė in 1878 and emigrated with his wife, Mina née Blumenthal, to Great Britain around 1900, where he ran photography studios on the south coast of England, first in Eastbourne and later in Bexhill-on-Sea. In 1906, he became a British citizen. Following the early death of his wife in 1923, he moved with his daughter Bessie to Klaipeda, where he married his second wife, Lina née Bergmann, in 1925. Their daughter Judith (1926) and son David (1929) were both born there.
Leon Balk found a wealth of opportunities as a photographer in the port city. His keen eye, artistic standards, and attention to his clients resulted in expressive and compelling photographs. These images reveal numerous facets of the city dwellers’ way of life.
The photographer died unexpectedly on March 17, 1939, just six days before the National Socialists annexed the Klaipėda Region. His widow, Lina, managed to flee with their two children, carrying several suitcases. Since she had acquired British citizenship through her marriage to Balk, their children were added to her passport at the British Consulate in Berlin. That very same day, the entire family left for Great Britain.
About the exhibition
Leon Balk was rediscovered thanks to the efforts of British photography historian Richard Schofield (“Camera Obscura”), who also tracked down Leonas Balk’s grandchildren, Martin Balk and Carol Ferguson. Ruth and Michael Leiserowitz (“Jews in East Prussia”) made a significant contribution by spending many years collecting photographs documenting Jewish life and thoroughly researching their contexts. This is the first exhibition to present Leon Balk’s works, created between 1925 and 1939. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren from the United Kingdom have confirmed that they will attend the opening of this exhibition.
More about the photographer: https://www.leonbalk.lt/
The exhibition will run until October 10.
Exhibition organizers and partners
Museum of the History of Lithuania Minor
Klaipėda Jewish Community
Institute of Baltic Region History and Archaeology at Klaipėda University
Assoc. “Jews in East Prussia”
Assoc. “Camera Obscura”
