Kaunas concludes European Capital of Culture program / Article

As in the previous two parts of the trilogy, the third, which is called “Agreement”, is all about a mythical Beast, next to which or in which people live.

“It’s a metaphor for the city,” explained writer Rītis Zemkausks, author of the Kaunas Contemporary Myth Trilogy. “When you hear the roar of the motorcycles, that’s its voice. When you see the shadows at night, that’s the Beast. That’s the energy that’s all around. But this Beast is friendly. It protects the city and makes many other things.”

Yet the closing ceremony takes us out of town. His action takes place in the aesthetics of the works of the great Lithuanian classicist Mikolaj Konstantinas Čurlionis. With a mythical forest, mountain and water scene. More than 150 dancers and choristers bring to life this oratorio about coming to terms with the mythical world and creating a city. The author of the ideas and music is Zita Bružaite, but the stage performance is directed by the well-known opera director Gediminas Šeduikis.

“We use a combination of different musical genres. From classical to electronica. It is played by an orchestra, but also by opera and rock singers. We use natural elements in the scenography. For example, water, which also has its own character, but our dancers and singers can walk on them. While creating all this, we were most influenced by the well-known painter and composer Mikolajs Konstantins Čurlyonis,” said the director.

With the conclusion of the trilogy of the contemporary myth of Kaunas, the events of the European capital of culture also close, which throughout the year did not stop in the city and its surroundings. However, as the organizers note, the program cannot be expected to end with the closing ceremony. The status of capital of culture has given impetus to a number of new projects.

Virginija Vitkiene, project manager of the European Capital of Culture Kaunas, revealed: “We have started the operation of 12 international festivals, adding to the 13 that have taken place so far in Kaunas. The new festivals are organized by new and experienced teams. “For example, there will be a conversation festival in the city. There will also be a contemporary art festival on the stages. Very dynamic events that have proved themselves to the public this year and will certainly make waves in the future as well.”

In total, Kaunas, as the capital of culture, spent this year with about three thousand events of various scales, which were attended by 14 thousand artists. According to current estimates, around two million people attended the events.

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