This week in VECC (Aug 14 - 23)

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

VECC this week (Aug 2-9)

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

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

Upcoming events for VECC

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

Travel the Baltics and win

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”.

Forest walking (and eating!)

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!

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.