The First Cinema in Vilnius

Although residents of Vilnius were familiar with the magic of cinema in the late 19^th century, the first cinema, Iliuzija (Illusion), opened its doors in 1907 in Bernadine Garden. The cinema could accommodate 200 spectators. This type of entertainment soon became so popular that several new cinemas were built in a short period – there were a few of them on Didžioji Street alone. Following World War I, residents could choose from six cinemas. A wide range of films were screened, but cinemas also received some complaints. Religious people did not like that children could go to cinemas where tango dancers were shown. Some films were created about Vilnius – familiar images helped attract spectators.

Maintaining cinemas was expensive (the cinema fee to the city magistrate was high), thus the cinema industry in Vilnius was owned by rich Jews and Russians.