Events

<< May 2009 >>

Pirosmani

12 / 31 2008 - 05 / 31 2009

“Pirosmani” exhibition will be opened by the initiative of the Embassy of Georgia in the Republic of Lithuania at the National Art Museum of Lithuania, Vilnius Picture Gallery. Creative personality of Niko Pirosmanshvili (Pirosmani) (1862-1918) is already known to the Lithuanian audience from theatrical performance “Pirosmani Pirosmani” (director E. Nekrošius). However, paintings of the artist have never been exhibited in Lithuania yet. 35 art works from the collection of the Georgian National Museum will be demonstrated at the exhibition. The exhibition will introduce to people in Lithuania and Europe creative works of the Georgian painter – a well-known symbol of culture of Georgia in Lithuania, which have already been exhibited in Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Great Britain, France, Japan, Ukraine and Turkey. The exhibition in Vilnius will provide an opportunity to see the works of art created by this original and unique artist which have not lost their relevance today. It would be an important step in renewing and strengthening cultural relationships with the Republic of Georgia and its cultural establishments.

Sacral Music Festival

05 / 01 2009 - 12 / 31 2009

The project will introduce Vilnius, which has been open to ideas, languages and religions in all periods, to the residents and guests of the European Capital of Culture. Art programme of the festival will not be limited only to the influence of Latin culture but instead will take an extensive look at the sacral nature of music. It will present sacral music composed by the authors of different epochs and beliefs. Plainsong, Taize, Corsican folk songs, gospel music, Ukrainian cants, sacral music of Russian classics, Tartar and Karaite songs, Jewish music, Lithuanian songs and A. Scarlatti oratorio for the Lithuanian patron St Casimir as well as monastic musical compositions and organ music cycles will be played in the concerts. Groups from Lithuania, Austria, Czech Republic, Great Britain, Spain, Italy, Israel, the USA, Poland, France, Russia, Sweden, Ukraine and Germany promoting sacral music will participate in the festival. The events will take place in the most picturesque Vilnius temples.

Vilnius – European Capital of Poetry

05 / 01 2009 - 05 / 31 2009

The most significant event in the poetry genre in Lithuania, the Spring of Poetry festival, will celebrate its 45-year anniversary as Vilnius becomes a European Capital of Culture 2009. This festival is one of the oldest events of poetry in Europe and throughout the world to be held continuously. Numerous poets from Scandinavia, Central and Eastern Europe, the Far East and the United States have participated in Vilnius’ Spring of Poetry. In Spring of Poetry 2008-2009, we will see and hear Jiri Cervenka (Czech Republic), Boel Schenlaer (Sweden), Serhij Þadan (Ukraine), Milos Djurdjevic (Croatia), Dariusz Sosnicki (Poland) and Ross Hattaway (Ireland), as well as poets from Norway, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Switzerland and Germany. Vilnius, as the European capital of poetry, will have something to offer everyone who longs for the romance of the written word and contemplation. Here poets who have gathered from various countries in Europe will give poetry readings in different locations throughout Vilnius. Poetry written in various European languages will glimmer on the walls of buildings and in open letters that will be distributed in the city, at the railway and bus stations. Any individual will be able to write poems during improvised poetry-writing events or to participate in theatrical poetry processions.

Day of the Sun

05 / 02 2009

The aim of this campaign is to reduce social exclusion and make culture available to maximum number of Vilnius residents. On the “Day of the Sun” selected on the basis of the meteorologists' observations of many years, the disabled which cannot move independently will travel in Vilnius assisted by volunteers from different schools of Vilnius City. The disabled will visit cinemas, exhibitions and museums, the Old Town of Vilnius, parks preparing to meet spring and will listen to street music concerts. The disabled coming from the whole Lithuania will also give concerts during the events of the “Street Musician Day”.

Ladyfest. International Alternative Culture Festival

05 / 04 2009 - 05 / 16 2009

This festival is to involve youth, members of subculture and a number of public groups into a joint creative process. The ideas to promote self expression of girls and women, to seek deeper social understanding, and to stress the ideals of a democratic society will be implemented by various means: from hardcore music or flashmob social events to academic seminars and contemporary art events. In solidarity with other European Capitals of Culture, where such festivals have long-term traditions, there will be developed general discussion platforms to raise relevant issues concerning society and gender. The main events of the festival will include social interventions in public areas, various creative workshops, academic seminars, events in unusual social areas, poetry and music soirees, girl sport tournaments, and meetings with musicians, authors and scholars.

MEETINGS ON CROSSROADS

05 / 06 2009 - 12 / 05 2009

“Meetings on Crossroads” is a period of cooperation between Linz and Vilnius Music Schools giving rise to strong interaction of musical art. Concert repertoire of musicians from Linz and Vilnius Music Schools comprises musical compositions and their instrumentations of both countries. The concert and series of musical events will enable the performers and audience to get acquainted with music of each country which celebrates the year of the European Capital of Culture. Concert programmes will be developed and prepared getting deep into the heart of the Austrian and Lithuanian music, folklore and other events of culture which reveal specifics and uniqueness of the country.

General Conference of “Les Rencontres” Association

05 / 07 2009 - 05 / 10 2009

“Les Rencontres” (“Meetings”) – the association of culture of the European cities and regions organises open discussion fora with representatives of local governments of the European cities, specialists and experts of different spheres, coordinators of cultural programmes and artists. The Association also seeks constructive discussion at the international level to promote the dialogue between public authorities of different countries and the European Council and the European Parliament. In this way attempts are made to enforce the concept of culture as of the future guarantee. The purpose of activities of the association is to intensify local cultural policy emphasising the responsibility of local government for its formation. “Les Rencontres” conference is organised annually in the European Capital of Culture. It has been decided to organise the general conference of 2009 in Vilnius under the title “CULTURE live”, i.e. naming it after the Programme “Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009”. During the conference representatives of culture and art will meet with the heads of the Observatory of Cultural Policy of the City of Grenoble. The theme of the Conference is “Art education and local government”.

Eurozine. 22nd Meeting of European Cultural Journals

05 / 07 2009 - 05 / 11 2009

Eurozine is the leading network of European cultural journals, linking up more than 70 partner journals and just as many associated magazines and institutions from nearly all European countries. Every year, Eurozine hosts the European Meeting of Cultural Journals. The meetings have taken place in a major European city since 1983 – most recently in Istanbul (2005), London (2006), Sibiu (2007) and Paris (2008) – and have developed into the most important event for the exchange of articles and ideas among European cultural magazines. In 2009, the 22nd European Meeting of Cultural Journals will be held in Vilnius. The event is organized in cooperation with Eurozine's Lithuanian partner “Kulturos barai” and PI “Vilnius: European Capital of Culture 2009”. More than 100 editors and intellectuals from Europe's foremost cultural journals will participate in this event and the programme includes seminars and debates as well as an exhibition displaying journals from more than 30 countries. Under the heading “European histories”, the conference will explore the role of history and memory in forming new identities in a Europe in change. Throughout Europe, history is ceasing to be something for historians alone. Instead, it is becoming both a public issue and an instrument of politics. In the West, this progression can be traced from the wilful amnesia of the postwar years, through the mission of the '68 generation to make the previous generation accountable for its crimes, to the obsession with history of the last two decades. In the East, the imposed history of the liberation has given way to the liberation of history. Nevertheless, highly different “remembrance cultures” have formed and the comfortable historical consensus long obtained within and among western European countries has been undermined by the eastern enlargement. Europeans are still far from an all-embracing “grand narrative”, assuming this is worth striving for at all. Much would have already been gained if the existing plurality of narratives could be put up for discussion in a communal space transcending national boundaries. The Vilnius meeting will provide the opportunity for such a debate.

Third International Asitežo Festival COOL!

05 / 12 2009 - 05 / 16 2009

The Lithuanian Association ASITEŽAS unites theatres creating plays and organising educative events for children and youth. Successfully organised festivals of ASITEŽAS show that there is a demand and high need for them: some children, and youth in particular, from smaller towns have come to the theatre during ASITEŽAS festivals for the first time in their life. The International festival “COOL!” is the only festival of professional theatre for children and youth in Lithuania gathering audience of age groups from 1 to 100 years. The Festival will introduce more than 20 new and the most famous plays of Lithuania and other countries in different places: kindergartens, schools, theatre halls, streets, children’s hospitals and child care homes. Theatre critics from other countries will analyse the matters of the mission of theatrical education of children and youth and popularity of scenic art among youth. Participants of the Festival: State Youth Theatre, Vilnius PUPPET Theatre, PI “Vilniaus Keistuolių teatras”, Kaunas State PUPPET Theatre, Panevėžys “MENAS” Theatre, “Stalo teatras”, Theatrical Laboratory “Atviras ratas”, Kaunas State Drama Theatre, Panevėžys J. Miltinis Drama Theatre, “Paršiukas Ikaras” Theatre, PI “Elfų teatras”, PI Actor Group “Teatriukas”, Vilnius Theatre “Vaivorykštė”, Alytus City Theatre, Klaipėda Drama Theatre, Panevėžys Theatre “Lėlių vežimo teatras”, “Teatromanų klubas”, PI “Trečias skambutis”, Theatrical Group “BATIDA” (Denmark), “RODISSIJO” Theatre (Italy), Linz Theatre Group (Austria), Theatr “Ulgul Gwa Ulgul” (Seoul, South Korea), National Theatre Manheimo (Germany), Theatre “VAT” (Estonia), “Malyj” Theatre (Velykyj Novgorod, Russia), “Velo theatre” (France).

Conference of the European Festival Association

05 / 14 2009 - 05 / 17 2009

For the first time in history, the annual conference of the European Festival Association (EFA) will be held in Lithuania. Founded in 1952, this organisation, which is one of the most influential organisations in the EU culture sector, now unites over one hundred performing art festivals in Europe, the Near East and the Far East. Members of EFA, European Commission and European Parliament, representatives of Lithuanian and foreign mass media will participate in a three-day conference addressing special issues. A special cultural programme is planned for the conference including a world premiere of a new work of a Lithuanian composer with the participation of Lithuanian and foreign performers.

Programme of London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Valery Gergiev

05 / 14 2009

London Symphony Orchestra led by world-famous conductor Valery Gergiev will prepare special concert programme dedicated for Vilnius City. The programme will include the music of world classics and the symphonic opus on the theme of Vilnius created by the famous composer. With this programme, London Symphony Orchestra will hold several concerts in the major European cities highlighting Vilnius as the European Capital of Culture 2009.

General Assembly and Conference of the European Festivals Association

05 / 14 2009 - 05 / 17 2009

The annual conference of the European Festivals Association (EFA) will add special significance of Vilnius City to the international cultural co-operation. Founded in 1952 in Geneve by the famous Swiss philosopher Denis de Rougemont and outstanding Russian conductor Igor Markewitch, the organisation unites over 100 stage art festivals in more than 40 countries in Europe and the Near and Far East. The three-day thematic conference of the European Festivals Association will welcome the members of EFA, EU Committee for Culture and the European Parliament as well as representatives of the Lithuanian and foreign media. The event will feature a world premiere of the new work commissioned.

KULTFLUX Platform of Culture near the Neris

05 / 15 2009 - 10 / 31 2009

The Platform of Culture “KultFlux” on embankment of the Neris was initiated by a team of artists, architects, art critics and exhibition curators. This initiative is aimed at diversifying cultural life of Vilnius, reviving the embankment the relief, panorama and geographical dislocation of which from the downtown perspective is ideal for cultural activities contributing to the discussion which is already under way about turning the face of the city to the river. The programme of “KultFlux” events focuses on three areas – urban, design and visual arts. With the help of designers and artists working at the cross-border level a functional, unusual and intensive platform of culture near the water will be developed inviting people to joint it – to exhibit, show, cooperate and propose different ways how to use the embankment of the rive in Vilnius. International design workshops initiated by “KultFlux” will be used by students constructing floating objects; as well as for regional discussions on city and water themes, regular music events, DIY markets, fashion and film presentations and exhibitions of visual arts which people will be invited to examine from amphitheatres near the water.

Regatta of Thousand Ships "1000 years - 1000 ships"

05 / 16 2009

In 2009 Lithuania will celebrate the millennium of its name and Vilnius will be the European Capital of Culture. To mark these two historical events 1,000 of ships will sail 7 kilometres along the Neris from Valakupiai to the White Bridge. Vessels of all types and constructions will be able to participate in the “Regatta of Thousand Ships”: yachts, canoes, oar-boats, skiffs, water-bicycles, troughs, rafts, self-made scull boats – everything what floats on the water and is driven by force of human muscles. This will be an impressive event for people who will gather in Vilnius on the embankments and bridges of the Neris and in the square near the White Bridge. Choirs and other music groups sailing on the rafts and boats will inflame the atmosphere of Regatta and create good mood. Culmination of the event – traditional annual international competition of university teams “Neris Regatta”.

Subculture festival

05 / 18 2009 - 05 / 24 2009

This festival is a public introduction to alternative youth cultures and will prompt the public to learn about little-known though interesting activities and creation of subcultures. Alternative culture representatives will take part in art workshops, produce films and music, and introduce themselves in exhibitions. A team from each representative culture will create a short film about their subculture. Viewings of the resulting films will also include well-known films made by representatives of subcultures in other countries. Subcultural visual art exhibitions will take place, educational events will be held in the city’s schools, while the music publisher fair introducing the alternative music market will be hosted in Lithuania for the first time. A small model of a subculture city will emerge next to Vilnius Concert and Sports Hall at the festival closing. This city will be home to various exhibitions and workshops, and will present their cuisine and “beauty parlours“. In the spirit of alternative youth culture, arenas for music, extreme sports and other forms of expression will emerge at other locations throughout the city, locations which will be visited by stars of Lithuanian and foreign subcultures.

International Poetry Festival “Poetry Spring”

05 / 18 2009 - 05 / 31 2009

The International Poetry Festival is the most prominent annual literature event in Lithuania hosted by the Lithuanian Writers’ Union. During this event Lithuanian and foreign poets read their poetry and it is also attended by actors, singers, musicians and painters. In 2009 this Festival will be organised for the 45th time already. More than 50 meetings will take place in several days. The Almanac “Poetry Spring” of new poems, translations of poetry and essays on literature will be published on the eve of the Festival. The winner of the Festival will be traditionally awarded the prize in Kaunas. Different topical issues of the world of literature are discussed by poets and critics who come to the annual conference of poets. The poetry evening of schoolchildren and informal reading of “Poems All Night Long” have also become traditional events open to everyone. The closing evening is organised in Sarbievijus yard of Vilnius University. During several days of the Festival, the most famous poets of the previous year will be awarded; prizes will be granted for the best translations of foreign poetry into the Lithuanian language and of Lithuanian poems into other languages as well as for the most important debut in the Almanac and also the best actor reading poetry will be honoured. Recently, increasing numbers of foreign poets and Lithuanian poets-emigrants are coming to the “Poetry Spring”. The Festival was honoured by participation of such famous poets as Czesłav Miłosz (Poland), Carolyn Forshé (USA), Dannie Abse (Great Britain), Aleš Debeljak (Slovenia), Pia Tafdrup (Denmark). This festival is becoming more and more distinct on the European map of literature events. The poets from the remote Vietnam, Mongolia, Japan and Mexico also arrive to the Festival.

Third International Vilnius Salsa Festival

05 / 22 2009 - 05 / 24 2009

Salsa dance belongs to the group of social dances and more than any other dance promotes communicability of people. The festival pending in 2009 will be already the third international salsa dance festival in Lithuania and is expected to welcome over 1,000 Lithuanian and foreign participants. Salsa festival is a 3-day event during which about 50 dance workshops and 3 dance evenings will be organised. Proficiency lessons and seminars will be delivered by 20 foreign instructors of salsa dance. Evening programmes will offer live salsa music played with Baltic Salsa Orchestra (LT), shows of instructors and dance groups, and salsa dances.

International Folklore Festival “Skamba skamba kankliai”

05 / 27 2009 - 05 / 31 2009

This oldest Lithuanian folklore festival is also called annual “indulgence” in the folklore. Participation in this festival is considered as honour by everybody who continues traditions of authentic (non-stylised) folklore. The history of the festival – fight of people against denationalisation and getting back to the roots of their ethnic culture – started in 1973. Every year the best folklore groups of Lithuania and foreign guests participate in the festival.

Virtual Historic Vilnius

04 / 01 2009 - 12 / 31 2009

The purpose of this museum is to create a “visiting card” of Vilnius or an “ABC-book” for getting acquainted with Vilnius. It will comprise the most important objects of history and culture of Vilnius and introduce the following themes: Vilnius – the capital located on the boundary of West and East, Vilnius – the city of communism and anti-communism from mounds to modern and post-modern, Vilnius – the city of 10 confessions, etc. The project does not aim at covering a multifaceted cultural life of Vilnius today – it will introduce the history and heritage of Vilnius emphasising their role in today's life. This virtual museum will introduce the history of Vilnius, historical capital of the Lithuanian State and one of the metropolis in Central and Eastern Europe of exclusive ethno-religious, cultural, social and political value. Incoming tourism will be promoted and an appealing image of Lithuania and Vilnius will be created by presenting the history of Vilnius City to different target groups (Vilnius residents, other residents of Lithuania and foreigners) in interactive format. The virtual museum of history will not only promote knowledge of the past, but also provide inbound tourists with the opportunity to plan their own routes of places to visit.

On Site

04 / 09 2009 - 12 / 06 2009

The project of Linz artist Anja Westerfrölke distinguishes historic exposures and meeting of different cultures in Vilnius. Textile and audiovisual technologies are used to reveal historic layers of prison, monastery and church and their original architecture in Visiting the Sacred Heart of St. Jesus Church. From the outside the church still looks as imprisoned between the walls of the former prison: stairs inside the church connect several floors on which rooms, closets and public premises are located. The project consists of three parts: 1. Installations, exhibition and performances Installation of textiles, audio and vide projections will symbolically reveal historic layers of the church and monastery. To disclose architectural and cultural specifics of the sacral interior selected fragments of interior will be covered with material used by restaurateurs. In 2008, creative workshops of Austrian and Lithuanian students “Textile and sacral architecture” were organised alongside the seminar “Art and representation” and presentation of installations “Local policy” and “Stories of light”. 2. Visiting and history of the monastery Art events linking the historic place and traditions of social and economic activities of monks. Tracing the monastery garden. Seminar “Herbal plants, pharmacology and nursing”. Lecture “St. Mary visiting St. Elizabeth. Stories of the pictures of saints”. Symposium “Women and spiritualism”. 3. Works and items made in prison As part of this project the exhibition of the works of art created in prison and creative workshops with the convicts’ families will be organised.

European Jazz

02 / 01 2009 - 11 / 30 2009

Three concert cycles of European jazz masters will draw together artists of different nationalities and art traditions. The concerts are to reflect the variety of contemporary European jazz, diverse world music cultures and art phenomena. Contemporary European jazz legends and performers from Austria, France, Poland and other European states will participate in the programme.

European Café

01 / 01 2009 - 12 / 31 2009

Each month the all-year-round discussion club will invite the residents and guests of the capital to join discussions on hot topics of culture, economics and policies related to the presentation and perception of contemporary culture. The debates in cafés with the participation of various cultural figures from architects and film-makers to poets will provide a fine opportunity to discuss contemporary culture and today’s art live.

Series of Concerts Conducted by Winners of Herbert von Karajan Conductors’ Competition

01 / 01 2009 - 05 / 31 2009

In 2008, the world commemorates the jubilee of 100 years of Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989), legendary conductor of the 20th century. Herbert von Karajan is synonymous with the pinnacle of conducting art. Maestro has often been called General Music Director of Europe. The conductor's significance to the musical culture of the world is measureless. His interpretations and records are still amazing and demonstrating deep meanings and inimitable beauty of music that can be revealed by the master of the baton. Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra (artistic director and senior conductor Gintaras Rinkevièius) is getting ready for the special concert cycle dedicated for the commemoration of this unique personality in its home, i.e. Vilnius Congress Hall, during the concert season of 2008-2009. The concert cycle will present the most renowned conductors from different countries, who won one of the best known and most prestigious contests named after Herbert von Karajan in different years. The contest has been held for as long as three decades in the 20th century. Big authority and popularity of conductor Herbert von Karajan as well as the prospect of world acclaim available for the contest winners attract young conductors from all continents. Gintaras Rinkevièius, one of the contest winners (1985), is going to conduct the opening and closing concerts of this concert cycle.

New City Face. 2nd Quadrennial of Contemporary Lithuanian Fine Arts

01 / 01 2009 - 12 / 31 2009

This interdisciplinary project is going to pinpoint the unique cultural heritage of Vilnius and its modern apparel, introduce the latest art works of fine art in an extraordinary way, and seek impressive union of theatrical and cinematographic effects. At nights, the façades and interiors of the main buildings of Vilnius Railway Station, Vilnius Airport and Vilnius Bus Station will be transformed with the help of light and video projections containing the compositions of art works. The new looks of the familiar architectural shapes will provide the city with different, mystified and intriguing face. In daytime, the approaches of these Vilnius “City gates” will become open-air galleries. Lithuanian and foreign artists will display their latest art works, dedicated for the public sites, here. The art works demonstrated in the transit areas will meet the incoming flow of passengers surprising, engaging and inviting them to get involved into the cultural city life.

Film Marathon “52 weeks”

01 / 01 2009 - 12 / 31 2009

All 52 weeks of 2009 will be dedicated to the important stage of evolution in cinema. Fifty-two best-known films of the world that had the greatest influence on the language of cinema and its development will be screened. The films will be selected according to two different viewpoints - classical and experimental. The International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI), representing the classical approach, will select the most significant films from this perspective, while the experimental perspective will be shaped and presented by the Film Department of New York’s Museum of Modern Art, together with Anthology Film Archives. The new trends in cinema have interacted with various social, political and economic phenomena, therefore, each week will feature additional films intertextual with the main 52 films. These supplementary films will portray the evolution of genres in cinema and how it influenced public opinion. Thus, we will see the first cinematic derivatives of political propaganda, advertising and musicals.

Handicraft Heritage of Vilnius

01 / 01 2009 - 12 / 31 2009

The heritage of crafts in the city is relevant to the Vilnius of today in its struggle to revive old handicraft traditions as an expression of urban culture of the Lithuanian Grand Duchy (LGD). The revival of olden craft customs in Vilnius is also important to the development of cultural tourism and the endeavour to present Vilnius as a city upholding old European traditions. Once per month, educational events will be organised in the original sites of craft workshops in order to revive the old tradition of Vilnius handicrafts. During the Bartholomew Fair, fine, crude and ethnographic handicrafts using old technologies, will be demonstrated by Vilnius craftsmen. The fair is expected to attract the members of ethnic minorities (Karaites, Tartar, Jewish) and, thus, to disclose the historical multi-cultural characteristics of both Vilnius City and its old crafts. The educational, entertainment, cultural and social influences of the project will allow Vilnius to be portrayed as a modern and dynamic city in which creative people design the future by reconstructing the past.

1984. Survival drama

01 / 01 2009 - 12 / 30 2009

1984 is the best-known twentieth-century dystopia, written by George Orwell while Stalin was still in power. The book ponders what life would be like in a future totalitarian society in the far-off year of 1984. What if we, children of the twenty-first century, took a look at the past, to the real 1984 in the Soviet Union? Perhaps you simply forgot or cannot even imagine what it looked like? Well, now you are presented with a unique opportunity to experience the historical setting of the Soviet regime. An underground bunker located in Vilnius District, built in the ‘80s as an alternative television station in the event of nuclear war, will provide a venue for the authentic survival drama of 1984. This survival drama in the bunker is set in the Soviet era in Lithuania during the 50 years of occupation which ended on 11 March 1990. The project will strive to portray the impact of the totalitarian regime not only on political, economic and cultural life, but on the daily lives of people as well. The authentic atmosphere of 1984 will cast participants of the project into the grim reality of those times. 1984. Survival Drama will have no stage or viewing hall, no actors or audience. All those who go down to the bunker of their own free will become its actors.

Baroque Dialogues

01 / 01 2009 - 12 / 31 2009

This is a special programme of baroque art (architecture, music, theatre, literature and dance) which will take place in the baroque churches and chapels of Vilnius, the Royal Palace, and other locations in Vilnius suited for concerts. The aim of the project is to present Europe’s heritage of baroque art through relevant means and interpret it in a contemporary light, a heritage which created Vilnius, one of the most beautiful baroque cultural centres of the Old Continent. An interaction of Europe’s seventeenth and eighteenth-century common cultural heritage and twenty-first century ideas of artists will build new bridges in the present for the creation of the future. The programme, which will consist of concerts, operas and publishing events, will feature performers, interpreters and artists from a number of European countries.

Haiku to Vilnius

01 / 01 2009 - 12 / 31 2009

Haiku to Vilnius is a public creativity action: we invite every Lithuanian to create a haiku poem dedicated to Vilnius. Awards for the best three-line poems will include special prizes and publicity through outdoor advertising, newspapers, television, radio, and unusual sites of the cities. From now on, public areas of Vilnius will be directly open to poetry. Everyone is invited to give a sense to their impressions of Vilnius in a delicate literary form, thus, contributing to the development of the open city together.

Lithuanian Capital of Culture

01 / 01 2009 - 12 / 31 2009

National Competition Lithuanian Capital of Culture should enliven the cultural processes not only of Vilnius but of the entire Lithuania. Artists and cultural institutions of the cities and towns prepare cultural projects representing their cities. The winning city or town for the best project submitted will be awarded the exclusive title of the Lithuanian Capital of Culture for a period of one year.

Public Spaces Animation Programme

01 / 01 2009 - 12 / 31 2009

The Public Spaces Animation (PSA) programme consists of: 1) permanent works of art in public spaces; 2) temporary projects of art in public spaces; 3) discussion platform “Alternative vision of the city”; 4) projects in transit spaces (airport, railway and bus station); 5) living environment animation projects based ion cooperation of artists, architects and communities (contest “My Yard / Art Yard”). Permanent works of art in public space reveal the perception of the most outstanding Lithuanian masters of sculpture of the last decade of the urban space. Their aim is to develop an alternative for the époque-making monumental thinking and encourage more creatively insight of inhabitants and guest of the city to the environment surrounding them. Temporary projects in public spaces aim at distinguishing historic and cultural transformations and revealing specifics of a particular location. Selected semantic areas are different: sacral (St. Jesus’ Heart Church and the Monastery of Visitation), disappearing public (former House of Culture of Railway Employees) and institutional (“Talking Doors”) space. Approaches to the Sport Palace also represent potential space for the participants in this project. Discussion platform is designated for theoretic, critical and artistic analysis of public spaces. The public space of the city is disappearing because it is more and more occupied by signs of commercial culture. One of potential ways of artistic/critical analysis of public spaces is a specially created film about disappearing public spaces of Vilnius and demonstration of this film in unexpected places. The final event of the discussion platform – exhibition of projects submitted for PSA pending in end-2009. The purpose of LAA project “New face of the city” is to provide an innovative interpretation of transit spaces – airport, railway and bus stations and their approaches. As a rule, these spaces are occupied by people for a short time; they are intended for quick “use” and often are visited by accidental visitors. But at the same time they are like a visiting card of the city which might be introduced each time from a different perspective. Living environment animation contest “My Yard/Art Yard” is devoted for giving artistic and functional meaning to remote living spaces of downtown and places of entertainment. The title of the contest denotes the principal aim – to create the public space available to all giving to it creative meaning just as if you were creating in your own yard and for our family. The contest seeks to involve into the creative process different social groups actualising the network of avenues, streets, squares, unused buildings as the space suitable for creation and discussions.

PEOPLE Programme Foundation Projects

01 / 01 2009 - 12 / 31 2009

Creative initiatives of Vilnius communities in the City of Vilnius. The Foundation has been set up exclusively for culture / art / social community initiatives. The community in this case means people permanently residing in a respective territory and connected by common public needs and interests. For the purposes of this contest communities will also include groups of people formed for sports, religion, entertainment and other purposes. The contest of this Foundation which has been lasting for two and half years already provides the opportunity to implement projects focusing on community needs.

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