"Portraits of Power" Exhibition Opens in Pretoria: South African Artist Unveils Portrait of Lithuanian Heroine
On August 4, the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania to the Republic of South Africa attended the official opening ceremony of the Portraits of Power exhibition at the Union Buildings Amphitheatre in Pretoria.
Fifteen diplomatic missions participated in this international cultural diplomacy project. Each embassy selected an iconic female leader from its country, whose portrait was subsequently brought to life by emerging South African artists and students from the Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke Institute (CMMI).
Representing the Embassy, Roberta Tunyla presented Lithuania’s chosen heroine—Emilija Pliaterytė (Emilia Plater). Often referred to as the Lithuanian Joan of Arc, Pliaterytė was a 19th-century noblewoman and military commander who led a insurgent unit during the 1831 Uprising against the Russian Empire. Defying the societal gender norms of her time, her bravery, selflessness, and leadership remain enduring symbols of patriotism, courage, and the fight for freedom in Lithuania. The portrait of E. Pliaterytė was painted by South African student Onela Wellen, who cleverly incorporated key Lithuanian symbols into the artwork—the Vytis, the Hill of Crosses, and the Lithuanian tricolor.
This international initiative successfully blended youth artistic mentorship with cultural diplomacy, celebrating historical women leaders who have inspired social transformation worldwide.
The event coincided with Women's Month in South Africa, honoring the historic struggles and movements of women for equal rights across the country.
