Events

<< August 2009 >>

Polish Cultural Programme

08 / 01 2009 - 08 / 09 2009

Vilnius has been the cradle of Polish culture since old times, while in its turn Polish culture has always been an important part of life in Vilnius. With the help of Polish institutions, this special cultural programme will highlight and single out cultural cooperation between Lithuania and Poland, as well as the similarities and differences of the two countries. The cultural programme of the Convention will consist of the opening ceremony, the visual presentation of modern Vilnius, screening of Polish documentary and feature films about Vilnius, and jazz improvisation on the motifs of folk songs.

Europe / 4 points

08 / 01 2009 - 10 / 31 2009

The project elaborates on the concept and perception of Europe – geographical, political, historical, ideological and cultural dimensions of Europe. The Project “Europe/4 points” distinguishes two starting points – geographical Europe and artistic Europe. These two dimensions are perceived as being interrelated, i.e. geographical map of Europe is viewed from artistic perspective. As the meanings of each continent often are more explicitly revealed at its borders, the Project “Europe/4 points” emphasises four points defining the map of Europe – the most northern Nordkap (71° 08′ 02.835″ N) in Norway, the most southern Punta de Tarifa (36° 00′ 00.175″ S) in Spain, the most eastern in Komi Autonomous Republic (66° 11′ 57.225″ E) in Russia and the most western Cabo da Roca (09° 30′ 02.727″ W) in Portugal. These points serve the frame for the map of Europe. The purpose of this Project is to fill with artistic campaigns and signs the European map created using European borders. The Project is being implemented by a group of seven artists and theoreticians from Lithuania – Nerijus Milerius, Jurga Barilaitė, Ramūnas Alminas, Eglė Ridikaitė, Jurgita Remeikytė, Mindaugas Šnipas, and Gediminas Akstinas in cooperation with artists from other countries of Europe. Discussions provoked by artistic campaigns at the above-mentioned points are continued in web environment. The latter is understood as free artistic territory without any geographical restrictions which can be used to meet and discuss about the European art and culture. Results of artistic campaigns and internet discussions will be introduced via public projections in Vilnius and at the end of the Project – also at the final exhibition.

Cultural programme of the First World Congress of “Vilniukai”

08 / 01 2009 - 08 / 09 2009

Since the ancient times Vilnius was the cradle of the Polish culture and the latter has always remained an important part of live representation of the city. The First congress of “Vilniukai (the Poles originating from Vilnius Area) and the cultural programme pending in August will distinguish and emphasise cultural cooperation between Lithuania and Poland, their similarities and differences. The cultural programme of the Congress will cover daily meetings, lectures and debates on “Vilniukai website”, exhibition “What was hidden in the repatriates’ cases” prepared by the National Museum of Poznan, demonstration of Polish documentaries and feature films about Vilnius and the cycle of concerts “Jazz impressions on the motives of folk songs”.

Artistic Installation DELUGE

08 / 21 2009

Vladimiras Tarasovas is one of the most talented free jazz player, percussionist and composer in the world. Together with free jazz Trio GTC (Večiaslavas Ganelinas, Vladimiras Tarasovas and Vladimiras Čekasinas) and in cooperation with celebrities of the musical world, V. Tarasovas has created the fundamentals of jazz school in Lithuania. Music of V. Tarasovas is played not only in concert halls, but also at the theatre and cinema, he also creates visual arts, interludes, performances and installations. Together with Frido Mann (Germany), the grandson of the legendary writer Tom Mann, Vladimiras Tarasovas is working on “Deluge” the purpose of which is to create an audiovisual-multimedia project on the basis of Biblical texts and most dramatic episodes of the XXth century. “Deluge” consists of the prologue and thee episodes. The main characters are Biblical personages taken from the Old Testament (Genesis 6–9). The Biblical story about the Great Flood is combined with shocking episodes of history. Music emphasises the action and helps to feel global problems of our injured planet. The project will be implemented with the participation of outstanding Lithuanian and foreign musicians: soloist Lauren Newton (Germany), Andreas Schreiber, violin (Austria), Vytis Nivinskas and Eugenijus Kanevičius, contrabass; Pavelas Giunteris and Arkadijus Gotesmanas, percussion; and Chamber Choir “Brevis” conducted by Gintaras Venislovas.

Third Litvak Congress

08 / 23 2009 - 08 / 31 2009

The purpose of the 3rd World Congress of Litvaks (Lithuanian Jews) is to support and develop the contacts among Litvaks scattered throughout the world. The Congress held in Vilnius, the land of Litvak fathers, will promote mutual cooperation, address hot issues in today’s life of Litvaks concerning more active involvement of Litvaks in the economic, cultural, etc. fields of Lithuanian life. The International Scientific Conference Upholding of Yiddish Culture will take place during the Congress. The Congress is to remind Vilnius residents and guests of Vilnius as the city of unique Judaism, which deserved the name of Lithuanian Jerusalem. It was known for its spiritual sages such as Vilna Gaon, artists, scholars and Jewish education system. Well-known Litvaks, world-famous celebrities and Nobel Prize laureates with Litvak origins plan to attend the Congress. The guests will be provided with an opportunity to learn about the present life of Lithuanian and Vilnius Jewish Communities that despite Holocaust and emigration have survived and are thriving.

Kaddish (Requiem) for Holocaust Victims and the educational programme

08 / 23 2009

The Jewish community has left a lasting imprint on the spiritual heritage of Vilnius. By activating this heritage the effort is made to commemorate those departed whose work and lives had a great impact on the world: Jascha Heifetz, Chaim Soutine, Jacques Lipchitz, the Great Cantors and, the greatest authority on Judaism of all time, Vilna Gaon Eliyahu, among others. The programme will include a specially written oratory by Anatolijus Ðenderovas to be performed by Lithuanian and foreign artists together on the 23rd of August. The oratory will reflect the art of Jewish cantors, the influence Jewish culture had on Vilnius, and a modern interpretation of the past. The concert will be held in the form of a mystery play with religious highlights (men’s choir and a cantor, sounds of a shofar horn), elements of secular culture (orchestra and soloists) and music (klezmorim) and the effects of contemporary rhythms (percussionist group), light and lasers. The premiere will be followed by the educational programme on the Jewish Holocaust in Lithuania that was specially designed for Vilnius schoolchildren. Vilne (English: Vilnius), the poem by Jewish literary classic Moishe Kulbak (1896-1937) whose work and life are linked to Vilnius, will also be presented. In his verse, Kulbak describes Vilnius “as a book of psalms, a city of prayers and melodies in which joy and sorrow change places...“ - Alfonsas Bukontas. The poetic lines of Vilne will be recited in various languages of the world. Traditional Hebrew prayers, chant motifs and the elements of old secular music of Vilnius will be presented through the prism of contemporary art, actively applying the artistic principles of multimedia.

Klezmer Festival

08 / 27 2009 - 08 / 31 2009

The Klezmer Festival that will take place during the Third Litvak Congress has been in existence for several years and is analogous to the Klezmer Festival in Krakow, which attracts worldwide attention. The Vilnius event will feature concerts in public areas and concert halls by Jewish folk music artists and world renowned Klezmer musicians like Frank London.

Exhibition VYTIS: HISTORY AND ART

07 / 04 2009 - 12 / 31 2011

The tradition of imaging the coat of arms of Lithuania Vytis (“the Chaser”) from the most ancient images found on ancient seals and coins of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania to the works of our days will be presented at the exhibition – the comprehensive history of Vytis imaging will be shown, as well as images of Vytis in the art of Lithuanian emigrants of the end of 19th – beginning of 20th century. The versions of Vytis images created by Juozas Zikaras, Adomas Galdikas, Antanas Žmuidzinavičius, Mstislavas Dobužinskis, Petras Rimša and other professional and folk artists before the Second World War will be exhibited. Coins, medals, awards, phaleristics, flags, documents, books and other pieces of applied arts with Vytis images from the museums and private collections will be exhibited.

Lithuania in ancient historical sources

07 / 06 2009 - 10 / 04 2009

The art of Balts

07 / 06 2009 - 10 / 04 2009

Wawel in Vilnius. From the Jagiellonian Dynasty to the end of the Republic

07 / 06 2009 - 10 / 04 2009

The exhibition dedicated for the restoration and opening of the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania introduces the cultural heritage of the twin of this residence – the Krakow Royal Wawel Palace. The same sovereigns of Lithuania and Poland, the same artists were creating the residences in Vilnius and Krakow, they have the same history of prosperity and decline. The chronology of the exhibition encompasses the 14th – 18th centuries, it introduces development of Wawel Palace, its hosts from the first Gediminas-Jagiello sovereigns to downfall of the Republic of the Two Nations. The history of Wawel, the significance of the residence, its relations with Vilnius palace, its current collections are presented by more than 100 authentic exhibits, small architecture, plastic casting items, photographs. The most valuable exhibits are Sigismund Augustus’ tapestry collection items famous all over the world, in the 16th – 17th centuries some of them decorated Vilnius palace too. The collection of Lithuanian and Polish sovereigns and noblemen, the collection of medals, treasures, hearths, weapons, different findings, other pieces of applied arts and unique Lithuanian values will also be shown at the exhibition.

Young Europe, Young Lithuania!

07 / 27 2009 - 08 / 01 2009

By gathering together under the umbrella of the Lithuanian and European youth organisations, public institutions of art, cultural initiatives and informal groups, the young will create and implement their unusual concepts through projects reflecting the values, identity, uniqueness and openness of Vilnius. The project participants in Vilnius will constitute a bridge that joins a unified, young Europe, disseminate positive message about Vilnius and Lithuania, and become true ambassadors of Vilnius in their own countries. More than fifteen hundred young Europeans from all European countries will gather in one place to understand their European identities and European values better and to discover new opportunities to begin long-term cooperation in order to enhance artistic, cultural, ecological and social knowledge.

The Tall Ships’ Races Baltic 2009 Klaipėda

07 / 31 2009 - 08 / 03 2009

Klaipėda will arrange the greatest world Tall Ships’ Races for the first time. The first historic regatta of tall ships was arranged more than 50 years ago. 20 ships took part in that regatta, and today the greatest in the world race of historic ships collects more than 100 sailing vessels and marine yachts. The main purpose of the regatta is to bring up young people of different nations, religions and social origin through sailing, to provide them with new experiences of the team work in the sea. Starting in Gdynia (Poland), “The Tall Ships’ Races Baltic 2009” regatta is going to visit St. Petersburg (Russia), Turku (Finland), and finish in Klaipėda. The regatta and its welcoming events will coincide with the traditional Sea Festival. More that 100 vessels will moor at the embankments of Klaipėda, 10 of them are more than 40 meters long. Klaipėda will be visited by about 4000 crew members, more than half of them are young people from 15 to 25 years of age. Klaipėda will celebrate the regatta for 4 days and nights – parades, visiting of the ships, concerts, the award ceremony, sports competitions and other events will be held. The regatta events will be highlighted by the parade of the crews along the city streets and the Parade of Sails leaving the port and sailing to the open sea.

Urban Stories. 10th International Art Triennial of the Baltics

06 / 01 2009 - 11 / 30 2009

Forty Lithuanian and foreign contemporary artists and city researchers will stay in the peripheral Vilnius districts of Pilaitë, Ðeðkinë, Naujininkai and Naujoji Vilnia for two weeks. European artists will map everyday life of Vilnius with innovation by enriching traditional image of the old city with the feel of modern reality. The artists and theorists will be invited to leave behind stereotypical tourist and representative Vilnius images and explore more varied social and physical geographies of the city. On the base of this research the city atmosphere, the stories of its current residents will be merged into a new complex narrative about Vilnius with the help of modern art means (such as dimensional installations, cinema and video films, different art campaigns and mass media interventions). The artist research and communication with the residents of the peripheral Vilnius districts will translate into the exposition that will take place in September-November and a two-week programme of temporary events and different projects throughout the city. Vilnius will acquire project chronicles that can be turned into a newspaper, magazine, community radio station or TV channel.

Artist Festival: Monmartre Convention in Uzupis

06 / 01 2009 - 08 / 31 2009

Having only premiered in 2008, this festival will now be in full swing. The Uzupis National Philharmonic will open its doors and will feature jazz and funk music concert, a Fluxus retrospective performed by the international actor troupe, and a programme by fire brigade brass and percussion orchestra. One will be able to stroll down an alley of kinetic sculptures, participate in a Georgian feast and listen to a Monmartre choir, as well as marvel at the works of expressionist painters of Germany, Denmark, Finland and Lithuania (Nida). Passers-by will be entertained by Fluxus activities, street provocations, grand processions and parades, pictures flying and sailing by, hovering bridges and floating sculptures. The existing or historical European and world artist colonies and quarters will be presented in the language of fine arts, music, theatre and dance. For guests from all over the world (England, Australia, Austria, Denmark, Greece, Georgia, Latvia, Poland, Holland, France, Russia, Finland, Switzerland and Germany), residents of Vilnius and other cities in Lithuania, or simply anyone full of spontaneity, Uzupis has been and will always be the best place to get together.

Live Tourist Routes

06 / 05 2009 - 09 / 06 2009

For several centuries since its establishment to today, Vilnius has been a city whose multi-faceted culture has been enriched by the contributions of Belorussians, Jews, Poles, Russians, and people of other nationalities. Newly mapped cultural and tourist routes will reveal the diversity of these cultures. Cultural events and artistic activities that reflect the past and the present of all Vilnius’ ethnic communities will take place at important historical and geographical points along this route. During the project, tour guides will accompany participants and acquaint them with the culture and history of various ethnic communities of Vilnius. The excursions will be enlivened by theatrical performances, artistic events, and live performances by actors, artists and musicians. This will allow one not only to learn about history, but to get to know it as well.

Cinema in the City, City in the Cinema

06 / 10 2009 - 08 / 16 2009

The project “Cinema in the City, City in the Cinema” is aimed at actualising forgotten places of Vilnius City which have historic relationships with other countries of Europe. Film reviews will take place under the open sky – in the yards of Lithuanian Theatre, Music and Cinema Museum, churches, theatres and near the Sport Palace. The programme will introduce different schools of the European cinematography – Lithuanian, Italian, French, German, Polish, Russian and other countries’ cinema, vanguard films and films representing the culture of ethnic minorities living in Lithuania. Youth will also benefit from a special educational programme.

Colour and Sound Dialogues. Music composed by M.K. Ciurlionis and his contemporaries

06 / 19 2009 - 08 / 24 2009

The International Art Exhibition will present the idea of symbolism and modernism, the search for the touchpoints of fine arts and music that excited the intellects of the artists at the beginning of the 20th c., the Silver Age of Europe. It will disclose artistic ideas and spiritual ties that connected the great Lithuanian artist M. K. Ciurlionis (1875-1911) and his contemporaries from the West and Central Europe. The art works displayed in the exhibition will cover the period of the most active development of modernist movements in Europe. From the 19th century, the variety synthesis solutions of painting and music developed and spread in the European art through the sparkling art centres in Paris to St Petersburg, from Oslo to Vienna. The artists of different countries were united by the common idea of art affinity, while the variety of its solutions was immense. Today, we may call it meaningful artistic dialogue of the European artists. The exhibition will display the art works of Lithuanian, Polish, Latvian, Czech, Scandinavian, Russian, German, Austrian and French artists. The content of the exhibition includes not only the art works of fine arts but also the documents (such as letters, sketches, music and photographs) and the music composed by M. K. Ciurlionis and his contemporaries composers A. Schönberg, A. Berg, etc.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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