Go Lithuania

Most Lithuanians can sing better than this...

2009-09-05T14:18:00.002+03:00

This is the shortened version of this video - I didn't want to put the long one on because I was nearly driven mad by it.

Some funny trivia about these girls is that they said they would sue the show because they "modulated their voices" to make them sound bad. Yeah....fat chance.

Going shopping in Lithuania

2009-08-27T08:50:00.006+03:00

Where the Tesco? Wheres Walmart? Where do I buy my food!

There are lots of supermarkets in Lithuania, but not any that westerners coming here for the first time would recognise.

There are now five major supermarket chains in Lithuania - Maxima, Rimi, Iki, Prisma and Norfa. The challenge is that in every supermarket, you will find different products, both in quality and in range. Iki for example is the best place to get fruit and vegetables - they have the largest range of vegetables and they have some exotic ones too.

Do keep in mind though that "exotic" in Lithuania does not mean Dragon fruit or any of these, but it is a cut above potatoes and onions and tomatoes, like one may find at the local Maxima.

Maxima on the other hand is the cheapest and you can get some good, cheap home and kitchen wares there.

MAXIMA

Maxima is the cheapest and the most common of all the supermarkets in Lithuania. The chain, which was originally called VP Market (English translation) is the most powerful chain in terms of buying power and throwing their weight around - the result is that they have good deals in their stores and you will find all the basic goods you need.

The chain is split up into five categories: Maxima X, Maxima XX, Maxima XXX, Hyper Maxima and Maxima Baze.

The lower the X rating, the less you range you have available. Maxima Xs are called "local stores" because they have all the things you need for normal cooking and living - vegetables, fruit, meat, flour, sugar, bread, dairy products, toiletries, etc. The range increases until you get to Maxima Baze where you can buy most product categories such as sports equipment, clothes, food, whitegoods and so on. They also have a cafe inside the store.

Whats good about Maxima is that it has cheap goods and it also sells basic goods under its own brand "Optima Linija" for things like sugar and flour and milk, where there is no room for quality deviation.

Whats bad about Maxima is that it lacks exotic or international products — this is a shop for locals who live the local lifestyle. If you want something else, you will have to go somewhere else.

IKI

Iki supermarkets come in two varieties — Iki and Ikiukas (meaning small Iki). In the large supermarkets, you can get a large variety of products. A good range of fresh fruit, veges and cheese, Iki has what the regular foreigner is looking for.

Keep in mind that you will pay a little extra for the food at Iki, but in some ways it is worth it. The food is often fresher and you don't have to pick through large piles of rotting produce to find it and there is a larger range of non-fresh products. For example, this is the only supermarket of its size where you can get many foreign products, particularly from Asia.

The meat section in the supermarket often leaves something to be desired and this is a major letdown for the chain. Often you will plan out your meal and then go to the shop, only to find that there is no chicken breast or no beef — at all.

The entire feel of the supermarket however makes up for the lack of meat sometimes. People seem to be happier there, there is more light in the shop and there are less alcoholics and undesirables, probably due to the slightly higher prices.

Iki was the first to introduce the self service cashier points to Lithuania, so that is a big plus for me - I always like places that are moving forward.

So anyway, if you don't like either Maxima or Iki, try some of the other ones, or just go to a restaurant!

A realistic look at the capital

2009-08-21T11:57:00.002+03:00

Here is a nice little tourism video about the capital city. NB: you will only see the angel and the TVs on the walls if you drink loads of absinthe or take magic mushrooms. Also, nightclubs might not let you in with that hat.

Grybauti Grybauti!

2009-08-20T09:59:00.007+03:00

Grybauti - no its not the newest nickname for the country's newest President Dalia Grybauskaite - it is mushrooming!

Going mushrooming is as simple as the name would suggest - picking mushrooms, except you have to go into the forest to do it.

Grab a knife, a basket, some long pants and heavy duty socks (to protect against ticks, spiders and scratches) and you are ready to go.

Usually you will need a car and you will need to go deep into the forest to find a good spot that hasn't already been covered by others, but its nothing like Bear Grylls has to endure, but you will have to walk a good 20 metres from the car. People with poor orientation skills should not leave the sight of mushrooming companions lest they get lost in the forest.

It is of vital importance that you know what sort of mushrooms are edible - eating some species can make you sick or even kill you. You should go with a Lithuanian friend who knows which are good and which are not and even then you should consult a mushroom guide when you get home. Remember that "all mushrooms in the forest are edible, but some you can only eat once."

When you are picking mushrooms, check to see if it is still fresh and not rotten. You can do this by cutting the stem of the mushroom and looking for holes. If the mushroom is full of holes, it means it is rotten and you can just leave it.

When you get home, peel the tops of the mushroom off with a knife, wash the dirt off, boil them and they are ready for eating. Lithuanians do a number of things with them - eating them with sour cream and dill or just frying them up for a good old village feast.

Also, while out in the forest, keep an eye out for cowberries, which are in season at the moment!

An introduction to Vilnius

2009-08-18T13:10:00.004+03:00

Writer and historian Laimonas Briedis has released his new book "Vilnius - City of Strangers." The book is a brief history of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, but unlike other history books it is fun to read and doesn't seek to impart a purely positive or nationalist view of the city on its readers.

The book is a collection of viewpoints of various writers who visited the city over the last half millennium since city founder Grand Duke Gediminas founded it in the 14th century. Various writings and analyses come from authors from the Vatican, Germany, Russia, Poland and more.

The book aims to show Vilnius today as it has been seen for the last 500 years - as a place of meeting and dispersal. It is a place of connections where people, trains, cultures, languages, and even armies have met.
The city is a gateway from east to west, in terms of both geography and culture. To the west is Europe as they knew it, and to the east is Russia.

Vilnius - City of Strangers is remarkably easy to read for a historical snapshot of one of Europe's richest cultural cities. Writings made over 500 years ago are still poignantly relevant to the lifestyle and habits of the city, whose personality hasn't changed dramatically, despite the changing of tenants uncountable times.

The city has been part of numerous empires throughout history, yet it always managed remain unchanged. Partly protected by the forests, swamps and rivers, only reachable in a bitter winter when the rivers were frozen, the city has always had its own spirit, a spirit that amazed and fascinated visitors.

Although not immediately clear from a Western point of view, it has been the city's contradictory tolerance and intolerance of itself and visitors that has allowed it to survive.

Visitors of today usually get drawn to the city by its seemingly impossible mix of cultures and languages that live in harmony. Vilnius has always been a polyglot city with languages like Polish, Armenian, Turkish, Ukrainian, Russian, German, Yiddish and more being spoken as main languages. Surprisingly, Lithuanian has rarely been the lingua franca of the city - in fact, under German occupation, signs were written in five languages to ensure complete understanding.

This multiculturalism has always been the situation in Vilnius with one exception - today the Jewish community is no longer an integral part of the city.

One of the book's strong points is the exploration of the Jewish culture of Vilnius. The Jewish population of the city once made up around 50 percent of the population - a significant portion compared to today's numbers where the Jews are a minority.

The Jewish population of Vilnius earned it the title of the 'Jerusalem of the North' by visiting rulers and brought prominent writers and thinkers to Vilnius to investigate what they described as the 'Ostjuden.'

Throughout the book are various illustrations that will surprise readers and shed light on the development of Lithuania's capital from being a smattering of hovels to the proud city that it is today.

Perhaps one of the downsides of the book is that it constantly fills in the background of the writers of the memoirs, which sometimes takes the reader far from Lithuania. While this is important to develop the background of the information, it often leaves readers wanting more direct information about the town.

This week in VECC (Aug 14 - 23)

2009-08-14T10:37:00.003+03:00

Halfway through August in Vilnius European Capital of Culture 2009 (VECC) and the event is still rocking out.

It is almost impossible to walk around the city without noticing one of the large green markers telling you about and exhibition or event. The best thing is that almost all of the events are free for all.

This weeks events:

CULTURAL PROGRAMME OF THE FIRST WORLD CONGRESS OF VILNIUKAI: Polish comedy night
Teachers’ House courtyard, Vilniaus St. 39/6, Vilnius
14 Aug
21:30
Free of charge

CULTURAL PROGRAMME OF THE FIRST WORLD CONGRESS OF VILNIUKAI: Concert Folk – Jazz
Vilnius Town Hall Square
15 Aug
17:00
Free of charge

52 Weeks. Cinema Marathon
Skalvija Cinema Centre, A. Goštauto St. 2/15,
Vilnius
16 Aug
21:00
6–12

Art project by Georges Rousse (France) - Creation of installation
Former House of Railway Workers,
Kauno St. 5, Vilnius
17 Aug–3 Sep
11:00–17:00
Free of charge

Exposition - Lithuanian Jewish Child Survivor Talks about Shoah
Tolerance Centre, Naugarduko St. 10/2,
Vilnius
18–31 Aug
Mon to Thu
10:00–18:00,
Sun 10:00–16:00
5 litas

KULTFLUX Culture Platform near the Neris - Cinema night
Kultflux pavilion near the Neris and the Lithuanian Energy Museum,
Rinktinės St. 2, Vilnius
18 Aug
21:00
Free of charge

CINEMA IN THE CITY, CITY IN THE CINEMA - Films by Artūras Barysas
Observation deck in front of Vilnius Sport and Concert Hall,
Rinktinės St. 1, Vilnius
19 Aug
21:30
Free of charge

HANDICRAFT HERITAGE OF VILNIUS - Educational event The Old Wood Processing Craft in Vilnius
Open workshop
Amatų gildija, Pranciškonų St. 6, Vilnius
20 Aug
11:00–19:00
Free of charge

52 Weeks. Cinema Marathon
Skalvija Cinema Centre, A. Goštauto St. 2/15,
Vilnius
20 Aug
19:00
6–12 litas

CINEMA IN THE CITY, CITY IN THE CINEMA - Modern city in Lithuanian cinema: Dviese ant tilto / Two on the Bridge, directed by: Valdas Navasaitis, 2004, Troleibusų miestas / Trolleybus City, directed by: Giedrė Beinoriūtė, 2002
Observation deck in front of Vilnius Sport and Concert Hall,
Rinktinės St. 1, Vilnius
20 Aug
21:30
Free of charge

KULTFLUX Culture Platform near the Neris - Fishday, electronic music party
Kultflux pavilion near the Neris and the Lithuanian Energy Museum,
Rinktinės St. 2, Vilnius
20 Aug
22:00
Free of charge

HANDICRAFT HERITAGE OF VILNIUS - Fair of St. Bartholomew
Vilnius Town Hall Square
20–21 Aug
Free of charge

Audiovisual-multimedia project The Flood Text author: Frido Mann; composer and director: Vladimiras Tarasovas
Contemporary Art Centre,
Vokiečių St. 2, Vilnius
21 Aug
19:00
Free of charge

Kaddish (Requiem)
for Holocaust Victims
Vilnius
23 Aug
Free of charge

52 Weeks. Cinema Marathon
Skalvija Cinema Centre, A. Goštauto St. 2/15,
Vilnius
23 Aug
21:00
6–12 litas

Exhibition of Andrzej Strumillo PAN catalogue TORS. - Presentation of the book Lietuvos Didžioji Kunigaikštystė (The Grand Duchy of Lithuania)
Vladas Vildžiūnas Gallery, Lobio St. 6A, Vilnius
8 Aug–31 Oct
Opening: 16:00
Free of charge

CULTURAL PROGRAMME OF THE FIRST WORLD CONGRESS OF VILNIUKAI: Retrospective and art exhibitions What Was Hidden in the Repatriates’ Suitcases?
House of Polish Culture in Vilnius,
Naugarduko St. 76, Vilnius

9–31 Aug
Opening: 17:30
9:00–18:00
Free of charge

Photography exhibition - European Eyes on Japan

Contemporary Art Centre,

Vokiečių St. 2, Vilnius

Until 16 Aug

Opening: 18:00

Tue to Sun

12:00–19:30

Sun 11:00–17:00

4–8 litas entrance

Sculpture: Puskalnis (Half Mountain) by R. Antinis

Neris embankment near the Seimas building, Vilnius

Runs until 31 Dec

Free of charge

Sculpture Dviaukštis (Two-Storey) by M. Navakas

Neris embankment near White Bridge, Vilnius

Runs until 31 Dec

Free of charge

Sculpture Krantinės arka (Embankment Arch) by V. Urbanavičius

Neris embankment near Mindaugas Bridge, Vilnius

Runs until 31 Dec

Free of charge

Network of Footpaths of the Balsiai Mythological Sculpture Park, sculptural park benches

Vilnius

Runs until 31 Dec

Free of charge

EUROPEAN ART SCHOOL NEU/NOW Vilnius’09 - Presentation of the 150 best European art students’ works

www.neunow.eu

Until 31 Aug

Free of charge

NEW CITY FACE - Lithuanian poets’ audio-visual poetry installation 'Poetry Pillar', curated by Julius Žėkas

Vilnius Bus Station,

Sodų St. 22,

Vilnius

Runs until 31 Aug

Mon to Sun

12:00–18:00

Free of charge

EUROPEAN ART SCHOOL - Art-o-thlon International Art Championship

Vilnius Academy of Arts, other public places in Vilnius

Until 31 Aug

Free of charge

-----------------------------------------

It should also be noted that Plunge is the Lithuanian capital of culture and is definately worth visiting with different walking trails, concerts and more.

Plungė – Lithuanian Capital of Culture 2009

Different locations in Plungė and district

Runs until 1 Dec

Free of charge

Mexicans in Vilnius?!

2009-08-11T19:46:00.003+03:00

It may seem crazy and out of place in a country that is almost ethnically pure, but there are three Mexicans in Vilnius who are looking to make an impact with their restaurant, aptly named Tres Meksikonai.

The restaurant serves traditional Mexican cuisine, albeit with a bit less chili to suit Lithuanian taste buds.

My personal favourite there is the burrito, which comes either with beef or chicken. The rice, vegetable and meat bundle of joy weighs in at 12 litas (3.50 euros).

There aren't many places in Lithuania, let alone Europe, where you can eat that cheap. Not only that, the food is nutritious and delicious!

Wash it down with a nice Sol beer and you are ready for the evening, wherever that may take you.

Tres Meksikonai
Tilto g. 1 Vilnius (Opposite the cathedral)

Let the sun shine

2009-08-06T12:23:00.001+03:00

One of Lithuania's favourite jazzy pop bands.

Beers ahoy!

2009-08-05T15:22:00.007+03:00

Not many people are aware of it, but Lithuania is somewhat of a beer kingdom. Many beers can be found in the country, especially the "gyvas Alus" (Living beer) type, which is unpasturized.

Some of the brewers are really cool looking (see photo of Snekutis brewer).

Lithuania has literally hundreds of microbrewies who are usually operating out of their own homes. A lot of them add a bit of their own sweat to each beers for taste (involuntarily) as they put all their love and attention into their brew. The effect is evident - some of the tastiest beers in Europe. Real Lithuanian beer will also not give you a bad headache, even if you are like me and like to indulge.

Most beers come from the area surrounding the northern town of Birzai. This town is interesting in itself and not just for beers either! It is close to the Latvian border and is almost smack-bang on the road from Riga to Vilnius, so there are no excuses for not stopping there.

People drink so much of the beer that they come out with quotes like this about it: "According to historians, the local beer has been talking to people for more than 1 100 years. Only here you will find that local malt liquor is hard as oak, sweet as honey and strong as dynamite."

I won't go into the many many excellent breweries because it would be unfair if I didn't name all of them, but I do warn you to avoid the major beer labels as they do not put the same care into their beers as all the rest.

Those coming to Vilnius are urged to go to Alaus Namai - the bar where all the good local beers can be tried - without the commercial rubbish.

Something you need to know when going to a Lithuanian bar is how to say "cheers." Locals get really impressed if you can pronounce, or try to pronouce, "I Sviekata" (eeh - svee - kah - tah), which literally means "to health"

Tikras Alus (Real Beer) is a good blog with information on Lithuanian beers - check it out. Some articles are in English, but others can be translated fairly successfully with Google Translate.

I Sviekata!

Born sportsmen

2009-08-03T18:56:00.001+03:00

Lithuanians love sport

VECC this week (Aug 2-9)

2009-08-02T20:49:00.003+03:00

August has rolled around for The Vilnius European Capital of Culture 2009 (VECC) and the event happening everywhere in the capital.

This weeks events:

KULTFLUX Culture Platform near the Neris Cinema night
Kultflux pavilion near the Neris and the Lithuanian Energy Museum,
Rinktinės St. 2, Vilnius
4 Aug
21:00
Free of charge

CINEMA IN THE CITY, CITY IN THE CINEMA - French film review: Le Samourai / Samurai, directed by: Jean-Pierre Melville, 1967
Vilnius Franciscan (Friars Minor Conventuals)
Monastery, Trakų St. 9/1, Vilnius
5 Aug
21:30
Free of charge

52 Weeks. Cinema Marathon Skalvija Cinema Centre,
A. Goštauto St. 2/15, Vilnius
6 Aug
19:00
6–12 litas entrance

CINEMA IN THE CITY, CITY IN THE CINEMA - French film review: Les Amants du Pont-Neuf /Pont-Neuf Lovers,
directed by: Leos Carax, 1991
Vilnius Franciscan (Friars Minor Conventuals)
Monastery, Trakų St. 9/1, Vilnius
6 Aug
21:30
Free of charge

KULTFLUX Culture Platform near the Neris - Fishday, electronic music party
Kultflux pavilion near the Neris and the Lithuanian Energy Museum,
Rinktinės St. 2, Vilnius
6 Aug
22:00
Free of charge

Exhibition of Andrzej Strumillo PAN catalogue TORS. - Presentation of the book Lietuvos Didžioji Kunigaikštystė (The Grand Duchy of Lithuania)
Vladas Vildžiūnas Gallery, Lobio St. 6A, Vilnius
8 Aug–31 Oct
Opening: 16:00
Free of charge

ARTSCAPE/United Kingdom/Visual art
Fine arts: Roger Palmer, Eglė Paulina Pukytė
Cinema: Red Shoes, directed by Michael Powell; Life of Brian, directed by: Monty Python; Orlando, directed by: Sally Potter; 39 Steps, directed by: Alfred Hitchcock; The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover, directed by: Peter Greenaway (shorts)
Gallery Vartai,
Vilniaus St. 39, Vilnius
Until 8 Aug
Opening: 18:00
Tue to Fri
12:00–18:00
Sat 12:00–16:00
Free of charge

2nd Polish Organ Concert - Henryk Gwardak (Finland-Poland)
Vilnius St. Casimir’s Church, Didžioji St. 34, Vilnius
9 Aug
13:00
Free of charge

52 Weeks. Cinema Marathon
Skalvija Cinema Centre,
A. Goštauto St. 2/15,
Vilnius
9 Aug
21:00
6–12 litas entrance

CULTURAL PROGRAMME OF THE FIRST WORLD CONGRESS OF VILNIUKAI: Retrospective and art exhibitions What Was Hidden in the Repatriates’ Suitcases?
House of Polish Culture in Vilnius,
Naugarduko St. 76, Vilnius

9–31 Aug
Opening: 17:30
9:00–18:00
Free of charge

Photography exhibition - European Eyes on Japan

Contemporary Art Centre,

Vokiečių St. 2, Vilnius

Until 16 Aug

Opening: 18:00

Tue to Sun

12:00–19:30

Sun 11:00–17:00

4–8 litas entrance

Sculpture: Puskalnis (Half Mountain) by R. Antinis

Neris embankment near the Seimas building, Vilnius

Runs until 31 Dec

Free of charge

Sculpture Dviaukštis (Two-Storey) by M. Navakas

Neris embankment near White Bridge, Vilnius

Runs until 31 Dec

Free of charge

Sculpture Krantinės arka (Embankment Arch) by V. Urbanavičius

Neris embankment near Mindaugas Bridge, Vilnius

Runs until 31 Dec

Free of charge

Network of Footpaths of the Balsiai Mythological Sculpture Park, sculptural park benches

Vilnius

Runs until 31 Dec

Free of charge

EUROPEAN ART SCHOOL NEU/NOW Vilnius’09 - Presentation of the 150 best European art students’ works

www.neunow.eu

Until 31 Aug

Free of charge

NEW CITY FACE - Lithuanian poets’ audio-visual poetry installation 'Poetry Pillar', curated by Julius Žėkas

Vilnius Bus Station,

Sodų St. 22,

Vilnius

Runs until 31 Aug

Mon to Sun

12:00–18:00

Free of charge

EUROPEAN ART SCHOOL - Art-o-thlon International Art Championship

Vilnius Academy of Arts, other public places in Vilnius

Until 31 Aug

Free of charge

-----------------------------------------

It should also be noted that Plunge is the Lithuanian capital of culture and is definately worth visiting with different walking trails, concerts and more.

Plungė – Lithuanian Capital of Culture 2009

Different locations in Plungė and district

Runs until 1 Dec

Free of charge

Ignalina - not all that bad

2009-07-31T16:43:00.004+03:00

People know Ignalina for the nuclear power plant, but after going there this week, I have found that it is among the most pleasant spots in Lithuania.

View Larger Map

People are amazingly friendly, the city is good looking (outside the Soviet built centre) and it is cheap as hell.

Even those coming from Vilnius will notice how cheap the place is because it isn't a capital city and is off the tourism map.

What many people don't know is that Ignalina, where the country's nuclear power plant is located, is that it is on the edge of the Aukstaitija National Park (ANP). ANP is arguably the country's nicest inland location with beautiful lakes, forests full of berries, wild camping in the forests, fishing and more. ANP was the location for the esoteric Lithuanian film, which is worth seeing, "Aš esu tu".

When I went there, there was good weather, a breeze smelling of fresh forest flowers and great scenery. Perhaps the only bad thing about the city is that its only real restaurant is not easy to find. Of course, once you get there, it will be a great experience - in fact it was probably one of the best Lithuanian restaurant experiences I've had in recent years.

Getting there is really easy too - take the train from Vilnius to get there. The train costs around 15 litas and various discounts are available for those under 26 and more. Check the train website for times.

Relaxing traditional music

2009-07-27T20:18:00.001+03:00

A song that all Lithuanians know. Be warned - this may soothe you!

Seaside bliss - go there while you can!

2009-07-26T18:03:00.003+03:00

Palanga is the seaside resort that Lithuanians, Russians, Latvians, Swedes and Germans alike flock to in the summer time looking for a nice beach.

This white sands getaway is beach, beach and more beach (something like 18 kilometres of uninterrupted sand) with some other nice features to boot. While you're not relaxing on the beach getting a tan, you can go shopping for souvenirs and other kitschy rubbish on the central Basanaviciaus street where they have restaurants blaring out Russian pop and kalinka classics. On the side of the street is an amusement park with rides and other entertainment.

Of course that's not all folks - there is the Palanga botanical gardens which has a number of attractions of its own such as Birute's hill - an archaeological site of a town covered by a sand dune. The gardens also have the museum of Amber, which the Lithuanians are famous for. The museum used to be the Tiskeviciu palace and is surrounded by gardens, fountains and statues.

Despite all these other attractions, the main reasons people come to Palanga is still the beach and to party, which often occur at the same time. While lazing in the sun, on your towel soaking in the rays, you can buy beers and fried bread. Often people working in the restaurants will come to you with the food ready. While this can be pretty annoying when you don't want a Ceburekas (deep fried pancake with pork filling) or Kepta duona (fried black bread with garlic and salt), it is nice when you are getting a bit peckish. Beers usually go for 1.20 and the bread is about one quid.

Be aware that you can get burnt in this sun!

Swimming is good even though you can't see your feet in the greenish water once you are in knee deep. The water is clean, but has some algae and seaweed floating in it, clouding the view, but never fear.

Food in the city is all traditional Lithuanian and Armenian for some reason. It is the only place I know in Lithuania that has any noticeable Armenian cuisine and it is voluminous. Make sure you go to the restaurants hungry, but also bring enough cash because it is more expensive that other places.

Finding a place to stay in Palanga is easy as pie - just turn up and find one of the old ladies at the bus station who will take you to their house. A room can be anywhere from 40 litas (about 10 pounds at the time of writing) to 100 (25 pounds) for a fairly nice room for two. These are usually near the beach, but be aware that conditions vary significantly. You get what you pay for.

As the Lithuanian saying goes "a greedy person pays twice (later)"

Getting there is easy - there are trains to nearby Kretinga or you can take the bus or fly to the Palanga international airport.

Unseen Lithuania

2009-07-25T23:04:00.005+03:00

Unseen Lithuania is the English version of Neregeta Lietuva, the famous aerial photographic series by Marius Jovaisa.

The whole series is devoted to the landscape of Lithuania from the air.

Lakes, rivers, dunes, islands, churches, cityscapes and more are shown in panoramic photos taken from over 50 helicopter journeys – and like the name of the series suggests, it is something that not many people have seen before or expect from the small Baltic nation.

There are two books available in English – the 2008 and the 2009 editions, but both show excellent scenes of the country. A DVD has also been released with a selection of the best photos from the shoots.

I would personally recommend the books as the best way to go for many reasons – first and foremost is that the book is big and has large and thick pages with the photos in excellent colour and perfect focus. This is not the case with the DVD – there is a very noticeable loss in quality that is off-putting. Plus the photos on the DVD move around in the slide show making them hard to look at.

Perhaps the funniest thing in the series is “Lithuania in the World” where photos from Lithuania are compared to other locations in the world. The only reason I can think for including this is to enforce the nationalist illusion that most Lithuanians have that “our country is the same as everywhere in the world!” Either that, or better than everywhere.

Whats funny about this segment though is that the authors of the series get a photo from some place in the world and get a similar looking photo from Lithuania and place them side by side. For example, a bird’s eye view of a shallow reef in the Maldives is compared to tufts of grass and dirt poking out of a bog in Lithuania. Crystal clear turquoise water compared to muddy brown/green water. Not exactly the same, is it?

Anyway, apart from that terrible mistake they made of comparing mundane geographical locations to world wonders, the series is great and shows the natural beauty of Lithuania and the cities too.

It would make an excellent coffee table book or present.

Lithuania all over the world

2009-07-22T21:24:00.000+03:00

Brilliantly detailed Lithuanian art for VECC

2009-07-21T15:28:00.003+03:00

Part of the Vilnius European Cultural Capital 2009 (VECC) are the art exhibitions going on around the centre.

I went to a the Old Town Youth Gallery (my own translation from Lithuanian), which is at Totoriu street, number 22. It is in a small courtyard behind the bar Transylvanija and there is a red plane suspended in the court yard.

Go into the gallery on the left to see some great canvas paintings of Lithuanian life.

A small display of wackiness

2009-07-21T13:02:00.003+03:00

This song from the 2006 Eurovision is a small sign of the sort of wacky people you might meet in the Baltics. This song was the best ever performance by Lithuania finishing in 6th place. The group LT United is made up of famous Lithuanian musicians and TV personalities.

Be warned...its addictive.

Upcoming events for VECC

2009-07-20T15:26:00.004+03:00

The Vilnius European Capital of Culture 2009 (VECC) event booming in the capital. It is almost impossible to walk around the city without noticing one of the large green markers telling you about and exhibition or event. The best thing is that almost all of the events are free for all.

This weeks events:

EUROPEAN ART SCHOOL - Explore Vilnius – Design Vilnius Public lectures

Kultflux platform near the Lithuanian Energy Museum,

Rinktinės St. 2, Vilnius

21–25 Jul

19:00

Free of charge

KULTFLUX Culture Platform near the Neris Cinema night

Kultflux pavilion near the Neris and the Lithuanian

Energy Museum,

Rinktinės St. 2, Vilnius

21 Jul

21:00

Free of charge

ARTSCAPE/United Kingdom/Visual art

Fine arts: Roger Palmer, Eglė Paulina Pukytė

Cinema: Red Shoes, directed by Michael Powell; Life of Brian, directed by: Monty Python; Orlando, directed by: Sally Potter; 39 Steps, directed by: Alfred Hitchcock; The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover, directed by: Peter Greenaway (shorts)

Gallery Vartai,

Vilniaus St. 39, Vilnius

22 Jul–8 Aug

Opening: 18:00

Tue to Fri

12:00–18:00

Sat 12:00–16:00

Free of charge

CINEMA IN THE CITY, CITY IN THE CINEMA

Ukrainian film review: Raspad / Collapse, directed by: Mikhail Belikov, 1990

Holy Trinity Church and the Basilian Monastery courtyard,

Aušros Vartų St. 7B,

Vilnius

22 Jul

21:30

Free of charge

52 Weeks. Cinema Marathon Skalvija Cinema Centre,

A. Goštauto St. 2/15, Vilnius

23 Jul

19:00

6–12

CINEMA IN THE CITY, CITY IN THE CINEMA

Ukrainian film review: Mijniki avtomobiliv /Car Washers, directed by: Volodymyr Tykhyi, 2001

Holy Trinity Church and the Basilian Monastery courtyard,

Aušros Vartų St. 7B,

Vilnius

23 Jul

21:30

Free of charge

KULTFLUX Culture Platform near the Neris Fishday, electronic music party

Kultflux pavilion near the Neris and the Lithuanian

Energy Museum, Rinktinės St. 2, Vilnius

23 Jul

22:00

Free of charge

EUROPEAN ART SCHOOL - Explore Vilnius – Design Vilnius Installation exhibition

Lithuanian Energy Museum,

Rinktinės St. 2, Vilnius

25 Jul–1 Aug

Opening: 17:00

Tue to Sun

10:00–17:00

5–10

52 Weeks. Cinema Marathon Skalvija Cinema Centre,

A. Goštauto St. 2/15, Vilnius

26 Jul

21:00

6–12

Sculpture: Puskalnis (Half Mountain) by R. Antinis

Neris embankment near the Seimas building, Vilnius

Runs until 31 Dec

Free of charge

Sculpture Dviaukštis (Two-Storey) by M. Navakas

Neris embankment near White Bridge, Vilnius

Runs until 31 Dec

Free of charge

Sculpture Krantinės arka (Embankment Arch) by V. Urbanavičius

Neris embankment near Mindaugas Bridge, Vilnius

Runs until 31 Dec

Free of charge

Network of Footpaths of the Balsiai Mythological Sculpture Park, sculptural park benches

Vilnius

Runs until 31 Dec

Free of charge

EUROPEAN ART SCHOOL NEU/NOW Vilnius’09 - Presentation of the 150 best European art students’ works

www.neunow.eu

Until 31 Aug

Free of charge

NEW CITY FACE - Lithuanian poets’ audio-visual poetry installation 'Poetry Pillar', curated by Julius Žėkas

Vilnius Bus Station,

Sodų St. 22,

Vilnius

Runs until 31 Aug

Mon to Sun

12:00–18:00

Free of charge

Photography exhibition - European Eyes on Japan

Contemporary Art Centre,

Vokiečių St. 2, Vilnius

13 Jul–16 Aug

Opening: 18:00

Tue to Sun

12:00–19:30

Sun 11:00–17:00

4–8 litas entrance

EUROPEAN ART SCHOOL - Art-o-thlon International Art Championship

Vilnius Academy of Arts, other public places in Vilnius

13 Jul (opening) – 31 Aug

Free of charge

-----------------------------------------

It should also be noted that Plunge is the Lithuanian capital of culture and is definately worth visiting with different walking trails, concerts and more.

Plungė – Lithuanian Capital of Culture 2009

Different locations in Plungė and district

Runs until 1 Dec

Free of charge

One of the fun ones...

2009-07-19T23:35:00.002+03:00

Biplan - Šok ir nesustok

Travel the Baltics and win

2009-07-16T10:33:00.003+03:00

Travelling in Lithuania is always nice and you can get some great photos. Now there is a website that allows you to enter your photos and win prizes if you submit the best ones.

Great Baltic Travel is a website devoted to photo-documenting the Baltic states, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

Their website best describes the project, which is organized by the European Union and the state tourism departments of the three countries.

"It’s a joint project by the three Baltic countries that invites you to travel around the Baltics anytime from May 15 to October 31. It’s a great way to spend your free time, to experience new impressions and adventures while traveling and being a part of the game. It’s about the joy of discovering incredible landscapes, fascinating historic heritage and modern achievements – all within a few hours drive from your home. It’s a great chance to connect Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania together again on one route, 20 years after the historic “Baltic Way” project of 1989. The Great Baltic States Tour is a visit to 30 different sites in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – 10 in each country. Castles from the Middle Ages, parks encompassed by legends, adventure parks with exciting entertainment in the air and on the ground, museums and galleries of modern art, underground caves and labyrinths – these are just few of the sites that participants in the Greats Baltic States Tour can discover. Make these 30 Baltic sites 30 new stories in your personal travelogue."

While the website could be improved slightly, it is easy to navigate and you will find it easy to register. Those who complete all the tasks are eligible for prizes. (see below)

Prizes

Travel Main Prize:
a weekend for 2 in one of the capitals included in Air Baltic’s newly opened destinations at own choice – return flight tickets, 4-star hotel for 2 nights, breakfast included).

Country (Lithuania/Latvia/Estonia) Prize:
a weekend for two in one of the Baltic States’ capitals – Air Baltic return flight tickets, 4-star Reval Hotel for 2 nights, breakfast included)

Additional prizes:

Active nature holiday more...
City holiday more...
Bicycle
Buss trip to Tallin for two business class and accomodation in Nordic Hotel
Accommodation for two in the hotel „Le Meridien Vilnius“. Superior“room, breakfast and visit to health club „Oasis“included.
Accommodation for two in the 3 stars guest house “Senasis paštas” ( “Old Post”).
Romantic weekend in the Mazone castle
Basket of sweets
Air balloon flight
Special prize by Jurmala City Municipality
Spa weekend for two more...
Parachute jump from 1000 m
Dinner for two in the Museum’s of Rowing in Trakai restaurant “Remus”.

The wheels on the bus....

2009-07-14T22:32:00.004+03:00

Getting around Lithuania can be hard if you don't like taking the bus. While in other countries in Europe, the train reigns supreme, the bus is the best alternative 9 times out of 10 for getting to the place you want to go.

Buses run all of over the country all the time. They aren't cheap when you work in Lithuania and earn the local wages, but for a traveller, the prices will be quite comparable to other countries.

Buses from one side of the country to the other are around 20 euros each way - not really that cheap - but they are frequent and pretty comfortable.

Going internationally also means taking the bus unless you go to Warsaw or Minsk. Buses to Riga are very frequent (at least four per day) and some are equipped with free coffee machines, wireless internet and TVs for watching moves. Keep in mind though that if you don't ask, you don't get. The nice buses, which are called Lux Express, don't cost more, but you need to ask for them.

The bus companies you should know about are Euroline, Ecolines and TOKS. Tickets for all of the are available at the stations before departure or on the bus. When buying on the bus be aware that the drivers sometimes try to cheat people. Get an idea about how much the fare is before you alight - then you know if they are cheating you.

Be aware that there are some people who mirror the routes of the buses with private vehicles - they usually wait outside the bus station and yell the destinations. They are usually the same price as the bus, but can be better. Try this at your own risk.

Have a good ride!

What you will see in Lithuanian clubs

2009-07-13T18:24:00.003+03:00

SKAMP is one of the most successful bands of the last decade. They have just finished their latest album Kazka!? and are now working on their next, as well as solo projects.

The band, which plays a mixture of pop, jazz, funk and hip hop, can be seen in Lithuania for as little as 15 litas (4.35 euros) on most nights they perform.

Here is one some from their latest album "Kill you wit my mic"

Star1 links Lithuania to Dublin, London and Barcelona

2009-07-13T18:02:00.006+03:00

New airline Star1 has now received all clearances and has started flying between Vilnius and London (Stanstead), Dublin and Girona (Barcelona).

The airline's new routes plug holes in the destinations that were left until filled after the winter debacle at Vilnius International Airport.

The small new airline is taking it easy so far with three weekly flights to Dublin, four weekly flights to London and two weekly flights to Girona.

From the company's website I can gather that they only have one plane at the moment, explaining the infrequent flights. It is however welcome news that there will now be flights direct to London and Barcelona, which previously didn't exist.

Currently the airline is only selling tickets on its own website as far as I can tell. It is not yet on Sky scanner.

Tickets aren't the cheapest in the European Union, but considering that they are new and that the entire airline industry is inflating its prices, they aren't too bad.

Including taxes, return flights to and from London end up between 700 and 1000 litas (200-300 euros). One strange thing on their website is that you cannot book tickets later than September this year, but that is probably because they are testing the water.

Book tickets here

Forest walking (and eating!)

2009-07-12T19:16:00.011+03:00

One thing visitors to Lithuania will notice is that the locals love to get out into the forest and enjoy the trees, the lakes, the flowers, the mushrooms and many other things.

So many people leave the big cities in search of weekend summer bliss in fact that you could be forgiven for thinking that the city was deserted. So, when in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Getting out of the city will be a rewarding experience:

Fresh air

Animal and bird watching

Berry picking (yum!)

Mushroom picking

Herb picking

Lake swimming and rowing

Camping

Photo opportunities

and so on...

My personal favourite from all of the above is berry picking. There is nothing quite like walking along and stuffing yourself with sweet berries while enjoying the sunshine and the forests.

Wild Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Cranberries and Cowberries can all be found growing in the wild and are all safe to eat.

When you are out in the forest looking for berries, you might notice other people doing the same. The locals often come to pick the berries as a means of making money. Some grannies and village people are prolific berry pickers and bring home kilos and kilos of berries for freezing, for jams, for eating fresh or even for selling.

When driving along the highway in the summer you will see people crouched down next to their pickings waiting for people to stop and buy the fruits of their labour (pun intended). You can negotiate with these people, but be aware that their backs could be sore from picking all day and might drive a hard bargain!

If you aren't happy with their prices though, you can just go into the forest yourself and try your luck.

After you've had your fill of berries and walking, look for some wild herbs to use when cooking or to dry out and make tea. Thyme is the most common herb along with dill and continental parsley. Once again these are all perfectly edible.

If you know your mushrooms, you can also pick up some chanterelles or champignons, but BE CAREFUL - some mushrooms are deadly and if you don't know what you are doing, it is best not to try. There is an old saying in Lithuania - "All mushrooms in the forest are edible, but some you can only eat once."

Getting out to the forest won't be as hard as you think. Either get a car and just drive somewhere to the forest OR take a train. Many of the train lines in the country go through dense forest where you can get off at a smaller stop and just walk metres to the forest to start walking and picking. Just be careful to find out when the train goes back to the city and make sure you don't go too far from the tracks lest you get lost.

Happy walking and eating!

Lithuanian allowed!

2009-07-10T15:46:00.009+03:00

Lithuanian Out Loud is a podcast program that aims to help students with the Lithuanian language. Podcasts come in .mp3 form and correspond with text on a blog, which helps you understand how to read and listen at the same time.

The set up of the podcasts is similar to Pimsleur with speech in English, then in Lithuanian. The podcasts are numerous stretching back to the start of the blog in 2007.

There are many good lessons in the list with perfect native speaker pronunciation in both English and Lithuanian.

The lessons are mostly made for people who are already living in the country or have some knowledge, but combined with a book such as Colloquial Lithuanian or Ne Dienos Be Lietuvu Kalbos, they could be useful for beginners also - especially to get an ear for what the language sounds like.

The authors of Lithuanian Out Loud are not for profit and all the content on the site is free, so support them by taking part in their lessons.

Try it out.

Lithuanian Out Loud
http://lithuanian.libsyn.com/

The sun rises in the east - Lithuanian photographs Japan

2009-07-10T10:47:00.016+03:00

Lithuanians are brilliant at visual arts, in particular those who work with video and cameras.

Art experts say that this is the country's forte because Lithuanians suddenly found a swath of electronic equipment flooding into the country after the fall of the Soviet Union, which they took full advantage of.

Visitors to Vilnius during this summer will be able to enjoy one such exhibition of photography.

The Contemporary Art Centre, which has brought Lithuania and Vilnius some of its finest art and exhibitions is opening its new photography exhibition European Eyes on Japan/Japan Today vol.11

Launched in 1999, the European Eyes on Japan/Japan Today takes

European photographers to Japan to discover and document aspects of Japanese contemporary life that local photographers are inured to. In the last ten years, 45 European photographers have visited 30 prefectures of Japan and depicted it in its myriad guises.

The project is scheduled to continue every year and to take photographers to Japan's 47 prefectures. This is the eleventh project in the series and is a group exhibition of three photographers who visited Niigata prefecture. Arturas Valiauga from Lithuania focuses on everyday food shots in an expressionistic manner using specialised lenses.

Other European artists will also be exhibited. Andrew Phelps from Austria documented people, landscapes, and dwellings, and Hans-Christian Schink from Germany took large-format silver gelatine images to create ghostly landscapes.

European Eyes on

Japan / Japan Today vol.11

Opens July 13 and runs until August 16

Artists: Arturas Valiauga (LT), Andrew Phelps (AT), Hans-Christian Schink (DE)

Curated by: Mikiko Kikuta

Contemporary Art Centre

Vokieciu 2

LT- 01130 Vilnius
Lithuania

www.cac.lt

Lithuanians step up for the cure (to cancer)!!!

2009-07-09T20:49:00.001+03:00

This collaborative video shows people from all over the world, including Lithuania, stepping up for a mass charity exercise to raise money for a cure for cancer.

2009-07-09T16:35:00.005+03:00

Part of the Vilnius European Capital of Culture 2009 (VECC) event is the interactive Haiku poetry competition. People interested in the country with an a creative edge can put their contributions up for the world to see.

It is a continuation of one of Lithuania's proudest traditions: poetry. The country prides itself on its poets and visitors will find that many of the statues and street names in the country are in homage to these masters of the language.

For those who don't know, Haiku poetry originates in Japan. The English adaptation of the style requires a three line poem with five, seven and five syllables per line respectively. Other interpretations have the simple rule of a maximum of 17 syllables. Of course poetry is a fluid art form and people have their own interpretations of it.

Here are some of the best poems from the contributions for VECC. Enjoy!

Vilnius alive
a child is born
history meets future

by Geert Snaet

one and same
a Lithuanian sky
shiver fever

by Irene Pittatore

Vilnius will always be there’
And I want to be in it
Nothing will change.

by Neda Malūnavičiūtė

Užupis morning
Locked in sight
Won‘t give it back.

by Renata V.

I will walk a narrow street
Back and forth.
The pain is over...

by Lukas Bakūnas

More haiku poems can be found at www.culturelive.lt by scrolling to the bottom and clicking on the haiku image (see top right of this blog entry), then selecting English language. You can also contribute your own poems there, or in the comments section of this blog.

What song was it again?

2009-07-09T15:57:00.003+03:00

See if you can recognise which song this one copied...

The song Zombiai (1994) is one of the country's biggest hits from esoteric band Antis. The band was very influential and important culturally during the time when Lithuania was struggling for independence. They released their latest album in 2008.

This weeks events for Vilnius European Capital of Culture 2009

2009-07-09T12:06:00.016+03:00

The Vilnius European Capital of Culture 2009 (VECC) event is now well underway with events left right and centre in the capital. It is almost impossible to walk around the city without noticing one of the large green markers telling you about and exhibition or event. The best thing is that almost all of the events are free for all.

There are countless events and mini events, but I have singled out what I believe to be the best things to enjoy in the coming week in Vilnius:

Sculpture: Puskalnis (Half Mountain) by R. Antinis

Neris embankment near the Seimas building, Vilnius

Runs until 31 Dec

Free of charge

Sculpture Dviaukštis (Two-Storey) by M. Navakas

Neris embankment near White Bridge, Vilnius

Runs until 31 Dec

Free of charge

Sculpture Krantinės arka (Embankment Arch) by V. Urbanavičius

Neris embankment near Mindaugas Bridge, Vilnius

Runs until 31 Dec

Free of charge

Network of Footpaths of the Balsiai Mythological Sculpture Park, sculptural park benches

Vilnius

Runs until 31 Dec

Free of charge

EUROPEAN ART SCHOOL NEU/NOW Vilnius’09 - Presentation of the 150 best European art students’ works

www.neunow.eu

Until 31 Aug

Free of charge

NEW CITY FACE - Lithuanian poets’ audio-visual poetry installation 'Poetry Pillar', curated by Julius Žėkas

Vilnius Bus Station,

Sodų St. 22,

Vilnius

Runs until 31 Aug

Mon to Sun

12:00–18:00

Free of charge

EUROPEAN ART SCHOOL - Design for All Latvian Ecodesign Exhibition

Panorama Shopping mall - Saltoniškių St. 9, Vilnius

Runs until 15 Jul

8:00–23:00

Free of charge

EUROPEAN ART SCHOOL - Design for All Exhibition Bruno Award – Best Estonian Design

ContraDesignMuseum, Ševčenkos St. 16A, Vilnius

Runs until 15 Jul

Mon to Fri

10:00–18:00

Free of charge

NEW CITY FACE - Exhibition Ordinary Iconography: Lithuania 1970–1993 by Aušra Petroškienė, Linas Liandzbergis and Rita Mikučionytė

Vilnius Railway Station, Geležinkelio St. 16, Vilnius

Runs until 15 Aug

Mon to Sun

12:00–18:00

Free of charge

KULTFLUX Culture Platform near the Neris - Cinema night

Kultflux pavilion near the Neris and the Lithuanian Energy Museum,

Rinktinės St. 2, Vilnius

7 Jul

21:00

Free of charge

CITY IN THE CINEMA, CITY IN THE CINEMA - Italian feature film review: Roma, città aperta / Rome – the Open City, directed by: Roberto Rosselini, 1945

St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church and the Monastery of Lateran Canons courtyard,

M. Paco St. 4, Vilnius

8 Jul

21:30

Free of charge

Art Fair ARTVILNIUS’09

Lithuanian Exhibition and Convention Centre LITEXPO,

Laisvės Ave. 5, Vilnius

8–12 Jul

Opening: 18:00

Wed to Fri

11:00–20:00

Fri 11:00–21:00

Sun 11:00–17:00

2–10 litas entrance

52 Weeks. Cinema Marathon

Skalvija Cinema Centre,

A. Goštauto St. 2/15, Vilnius

9 Jul

19:00

6–12 litas entrance

CINEMA IN THE CITY, CITY IN THE CINEMA - Italian film review: Caro diario / Dear Diary, directed by: Nanni Moretti, 1993

St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church and the Monastery of Lateran Canons courtyard,

M. Paco St. 4, Vilnius

9 Jul

21:30

Free of charge

KULTFLUX Culture Platform near the Neris Fishday, electronic music party

Kultflux pavilion near the Neris and the Lithuanian Energy Museum,

Rinktinės St. 2, Vilnius

9 Jul

22:00

Free of charge

52 Weeks. Cinema Marathon

Skalvija Cinema Centre,

A. Goštauto St. 2/15, Vilnius

12 Jul

21:00

6–12 litas entrance

Photography exhibition - European Eyes on Japan

Contemporary Art Centre,

Vokiečių St. 2, Vilnius

13 Jul–16 Aug

Opening: 18:00

Tue to Sun

12:00–19:30

Sun 11:00–17:00

4–8 litas entrance

EUROPEAN ART SCHOOL - Art-o-thlon International Art Championship

Vilnius Academy of Arts, other public places in Vilnius

13 Jul (opening) – 31 Aug

Free of charge

KULTFLUX Culture Platform near the Neris Cinema night

Kultflux pavilion near the Neris and the Lithuanian Energy Museum,

Rinktinės St. 2, Vilnius

14 Jul

21:00

Free of charge

CINEMA IN THE CITY, CITY IN THE CINEMA Polish film review: Kanal / Channel, directed by: Andrzej Wajda, 1957

Holy Trinity Church and the Basilian Monastery courtyard,

Aušros Vartų St. 7B, Vilnius

15 Jul

21:30

Free of charge

HANDICRAFT HERITAGE OF VILNIUS - Educational event Weaving the History of Vilnius: Weavers’ Guild

Geto aukų Square, Rūdninkų St., Vilnius

16 Jul

10:00–18:00

Free of charge

10TH SUMMER CONCERTS - Hevelius Brass Gdansk Brass Quintet

A. Mickevičius Museum courtyard,

Bernardinų St. 11, Vilnius

16 Jul

18:00

Free of charge

52 Weeks. Cinema Marathon Skalvija Cinema Centre,

A. Goštauto St. 2/15, Vilnius

16 Jul

19:00

6–12 litas entrance

CINEMA IN THE CITY, CITY IN THE CINEMA - Polish film review: Zawrocony / Convert, directed by: Kazimierz Kutz, 1994

Holy Trinity Church and the Basilian Monastery courtyard,

Aušros Vartų St. 7B, Vilnius

16 Jul

21:30

Free of charge

KULTFLUX Culture Platform near the Neris Fishday, electronic music party

Kultflux pavilion near the Neris and the Lithuanian Energy Museum,

Rinktinės St. 2, Vilnius

16 Jul

22:00

Free of charge

-----------------------------------------

It should also be noted that Plunge is the Lithuanian capital of culture and is definately worth visiting with different walking trails, concerts and more.

Plungė – Lithuanian Capital of Culture 2009

Different locations in Plungė and district

Runs until 1 Dec

Free of charge

Free trips to Lithuania for the well informed

2009-07-08T13:29:00.004+03:00

So you have read the Lonely Planet for Lithuania, but how much do you really know about the country and its rich history?

If you have been curious about the country or you just want to test your history knowledge, try the quiz that the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made.

Winners will get free flights to Lithuania and the ten runners-up will get smaller prizes.

The quiz consists of 15 multiple choice questions about the country's leaders, its wars, its culture and so on. Give it a go and maybe I'll see you at the airport!

Take the quiz in English or Russian at: http://quiz.mfa.lt/

Lithuania turns 1000!

2009-07-08T13:09:00.006+03:00

On July 6, Lithuania turned 1000 years old. The country was first mentioned in monk scrolls in 1009 describing a strange land to the East. This is what the Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus had to say on the occasion of the country's 1000's birthday. (speech text courtesy of www.president.lt)

"Your Majesties, Excellencies, Distinguished Guests of Lithuania,
Dear Fellow People of Lithuania,
My Fellow Citizens of a Thousand Year Old Nation,
In 1009, five letters were written by the hand of a convent nun: LITUA. These letters signified the name of Lithuania - a name that arrived as news from the fringes of the world discovered and incorporated into European history by Christian missionaries. A woman from Saxony inscribed a passage which has led to today's celebration of the Millennium of Lithuania with its capital city of Vilnius serving as the European Capital of Culture in this jubilee year.

The birth of a nation, like the birth of a person, is symbolized by a name. The emergence of the name of Lithuania witnesses the historical beginnings of a political community and national self-awareness. Lithuania, then and today, is not just a territorial area - it is its people who are aware of belonging to one single nation. This awareness is conveyed not only inside the country, but also through its links with the outside world, which make us richer in knowledge and spirit.

Therefore, when we celebrate the Millennium of Lithuania, we are celebrating our millennium in EUROPE. The marks left by Lithuania on its historical pathway are the First Statute of Lithuania (1529) - which signified a shift towards a new concept of European law, Vilnius University (1579) - which brought the western notion of education to Eastern Europe, the Constitution of Lithuania and Poland (1791) - Europe's first constitution, the Baltic Way (1989) - a human chain symbolizing the freedom loving spirit of the Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian people, and many other important events.

After the first mention of its name, Lithuania vanished from the civilized world, remaining for several centuries beyond the horizon of Christian missions. This fading away and eventual coming back is the best reflection of our historical life. At times it seemed that Lithuania and Lithuanians might disappear altogether, but as soon as the critical limit was reached, the spirit of the nation would bring the people together and give them courage and strength to stand up once again and fight for freedom. And so it continued for centuries and throughout the millennium.

Today, as we look back from the perspective of a thousand years on the existential efforts of the Lithuanian nation and the pain and sufferings it endured, we sometimes feel sad that the past was not as easy as we would have liked it to be. At the same time, we should be grateful to God, to our history and, of course, to our ancestors that we had escaped the fate of the Old Prussians, Yotvingians and other Baltic tribes that became extinct.

From the times of the Lithuanian State of King Mindaugas to January 13, Lithuania had faced many challenges and lost many lives. However, in critical moments our true values would be always placed at the forefront and we would always know what was of utmost importance to all of us. But in all times, the impelling force of our survival was spiritual strength and solidarity with other nations.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, as I compare the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which covered a huge territory in Europe, with the European Union, I believe that they are spiritually close formations. All nationalities would find their own place there, enabling them to fulfill their physical and spiritual potential and retain their unique identity. And that is how it is today as well.
Genuine full-fledged existence means people living among people, nations living among other nations, and states coexisting with other states. It means searching for compromises when different interests have to be brought together, but never giving in when addressing fundamental time-tested values. And FREEDOM is the key value. Today Lithuania is happy to celebrate its jubilee together with neighbors and friends. Such openness and solidarity is a perfect pathway to build the future of Lithuania, the Baltic region and Europe. I firmly believe that this experience of ours will be used by the architects of history, just like we are learning from the past of our country, from our victories and defeats.

I bow with respect before all those who are writing the book of our history. I lower my head in gratitude to those who, in all the times and places, protected and protect our country, to those who created and continue to create Lithuania. I extend greetings to Lithuania, crossing the threshold of a new historical era, I send my cordial wishes to all the people of Lithuania, and I welcome our dear friends who have come to celebrate together with us as we open the door to the second millennium.

Welcome LITHUANIA of the New Age!"

H.E. Mr. Valdas Adamkus, President of the Republic of Lithuania

Yummm... (at home!)

2009-07-08T12:21:00.005+03:00

Those who have been to Lithuania will know that the country has a very unique and specific cuisine. Did you come in Summer and try Saltibarsciai? Or did you come during the winter and try Cepeliniai?

Instead of leaving this all behind, you can cook them at home with the comprehensive guide Lithuanian Traditional Foods by Birute Imbrasiene.

The book covers all aspects of Lithuanian cooking and gives introductions into the country's food culture. For example, did you know that in traditional Lithuanian families, the girls would only be considered ready for marriage when they were able to cook good black bread?

There are more that 300 authentic recipes in the book that are divided into 14 catagories: Traditional Bread Making, Traditional Cheese Making, Bread, Soups, Meat, Potatoes, Milk, Mushrooms, Fish, Vegetables and Fruits, Grain, Eggs, Baked goods and Sweets and Drinks.

The book carries the stamp of the Lithuanian Culinary Fund verifying its authenticity. I myself have used the book and the food has come out great.

A quirky country

2009-07-08T10:41:00.002+03:00

One thing that people will notice when they step of the plane or bus in Lithuania is that everything is a little bit strange. People speak a funny language, the signs look crazy and food tastes different. Watch this video for a bit of an introduction to the country.

The song "Welcome" by the band Inculto was originally intended for Eurovision.

Enjoy

A small introduction

2009-07-08T10:33:00.007+03:00

A short film made by the government to promote the country for
business people.

Brits get best air deals

2009-07-07T23:28:00.004+03:00

As documented in my previous post, it isn't easy to get in and out of the capital Vilnius, but you can get to the country somehow and the cheapest flights on offer are to the U.K. and back (at the time of writing).

If you are willing to fly to Kaunas airport, Lithuania's second biggest city situated 90km from Vilnius, you can book a Ryanair flight from London Stanstead for 6.58 litas (1.91 euros). Not bad really. Other cheap flights also to Kaunas are from Luton, Birmingham and Liverpool all for under 100 litas (29 euros).

The Germans have the next best rates from Frankfurt Hahn (10.08 euros) and the new route from Dresden (41.80 euros), also with Ryanair.

The Irish, Norweigians and the Swedes also have fair deals (considering the earning power of these countries) to the country, but nothing particularly competitive against rival Riga.

For those who do not want to/can't fly directly to Lithuania could fly to Riga (350 km from Vilnius and 11 euros for the bus) or Warsaw (450km and 22 euros for the bus).

KAUNAS CONNECTION

When flying to Kaunas, be very aware thet the airport is not in the centre of the city and most flights come in late at night. This can leave you stranded or having to take a taxi into the centre, which can be expensive for foreigners.

To take the bus to the city, you can use Bus 29 or the Shuttle bus 120. Check the price before getting on board and make sure you validate your ticket.

Taxis in Lithuania are always cheaper if you call them to you - do not hail them on the street or it could cost you double or triple the regular amount. This still goes even if you call the taxi waiting at the airport that is standing directly in front of you. Look at the number on the taxi and call it.

Buses to Vilnius run according to the schedule of the planes. The cost is 39 litas (11.30 euros), but tickets should be prebooked on www.kaunasair.lt

The situation in Vilnius Airport...

2009-07-07T13:06:00.005+03:00

Vilnius International Airport is the biggest and most frequented airport in Lithuania. It is also the only airport in the area of the capital city of the country.

This airport suffers from a number of ailments. The first and most painful is that you can't actually fly anywhere from it for a number of reasons. It was up until recently the most expensive airport in the region in terms of taxes. Also, until recently and one of the main airlines, FlyLAL, which used to have many destinations out of it, suddenly folded at the beginning of 2009 leaving only a handful of places to go.

The other company that used it regularly, AirBaltic, based in Latvia, then decided to withdraw all of its flights except for those connecting with Riga in an attempt to make more money in Riga. The result is that people looking to actually fly somewhere overlook the airport completely because it is a waste of time.

Of course if you are Mr. Money bags and can afford to fly with an expensive airline like LOT or Lufthansa, the airport is still accessible from some places directly, but otherwise you will have to change in Riga to get there. This can mean a 400 kilometre flight could take up to 10 hours or so depending on the connection in other airports.

Recently Swedish airline Skyways begun flights to the airport, but only to Stockholm and Copenhagen.

Apart from the dearth of flights to the airport, it isn't too bad. It is a very small airport with a simple layout, good for those in a hurry.

The building is as such -

walk in the door, check in, get to the gate, all within a few minutes. It is unlike airports like Brussels, Kuala Lumpur, Frankfurt AM, Heathrow etcetera where one needs a GPS and a motorbike to get between gates in time and without extra fuss.

Of course this smallness makes it a boring airport to wait in. There are a handful of dutyfree shops, which offer close to nothing except perfume and sunglasses - stuff which you can get anywhere. There are no tourist trinket shops worth mentioning, but you can buy bus tickets for the city you are leaving in the kiosks there. It makes perfect sense.

There is not free wireless internet.

Baggage handling is quick and I have yet to lose a bag there. There is no restaurant, but people can buy snacks in the cafe, which sells packaged sandwiches, croissants and chocolate bars.

To get the airport, a number of buses and minibuses are available depending on where you are. As these change, it is better not to list them here, but ask for them when you get to the city.

A new train from the airport to the city was recently built and can be used, but it is about 200 metres from the terminal and you will need to look carefully for it. There is little signage.

AIRLINES SERVICING THE AIRPORT (at the time of writing):
Aer Lingus
Air Baltic
Austrian Airlines
Aviavilsa (cargo)
Brussels Airlines
Czech Airlines
Donbassaero Airlines
Estonian Air
Finnair
LOT Polish Airlines
Lufthansa
Norwegian Air Shuttle
Skyways
Star1 Airlines
UtAir

Welcome to Lithuania

2009-07-07T10:14:00.003+03:00

In the absence of blogs about tourism in Lithuania, I have created this in an effort to bring you all the best insights into the country for travel. A lot has been written about the country in guide books, but that is often out dated or has been influenced by commercial interests, whether officially or just in the form of a bribe to the writer.

I will cover all aspects of the country here and I hope to enlighten you about how to enjoy it.

Happy reading.