* Text: Ray Vyšniauskas

The perennial favourite filler on the news is the granny who takes her first skydive on her hundredth birthday. It’s always a woman, and the newsreader, nearly always a man, comments that he’d love to be that sprightly at her age.

You see these x-gen grannies, but I’ll tell you now that they’re no match for our own Lithuanian pensioners.

You see these grannies in the West, and they are so tightly secured to an instructor and are required to do nothing other than have a nap, and you feel the instructor could jump from 10,000 feet with a goldfish bowl and not spill a drop.

The granny always says something like: “That was fun and I can’t wait to do it again.” But let’s face it, she’s only saying that because likely she has slept through the whole thing, and it was only the camera crew that woke her up for the interview.

I would like to see a granny really go for it. I would even settle for an 80 year old say, standing by the open door of a plane and throwing her parachute out first, and having to jump after it, put it on and pull the rip-cord before hitting the ground, now that would be something to see. But where to find such grannies?

Well I see them everyday here in Lithuania. They may be frail looking, but these girls are tough, and that’s why I was a bit worried recently when the pensioners had a few protests against the government – they could have made the riots in front of parliament in 2009 look like a kindergarten playground.

I’ve seen them on busses that lean more than most motorbikes as they tear through town and country. As I hang on for dear life I see the faces of these grannies, my fellow passengers, no concern for their safety, simply picking up the odd potato that centrifugal force sends flying across the aisle. In fact I try to position myself between a couple of them as makeshift airbags as they stand in their huge fur coats.

I can see in their eyes that they are not thinking of their own safety, instead wondering why the bus is going so slow.

I see these grannies in the streets. In the snow I’m not used to walking on frozen ground, and shuffle down the ice lanes as if my pants have been poohed and I hold on to any walls I can reach. Just to mock me the grannies go zooming past, impatiently nudging me aside as they speed off over the horizon in front of me. They carry a week’s grocery shopping and usually they travel in packs.

And you get between a gang of grannies and a sale of cucumbers or tomatoes at the market and you will know the feeling of running with the bulls.

And how do they breed them so tough? Well in the land of pork, potatoes and pints they teach them discipline. How else would Lithuania girls have the lowest body fat index in the EU? They send them out in the snow, on cobblestone streets covered in ice – in high heels. And then there’s the legendary goat training.

Don’t know what I’m talking about? Well read on, maybe you remember this story from a couple of years ago that was widely reported around the world:

Miss Popova from Klaipėda was 93 years old, but not quite as frail as she looked and shocked two young robbers by fighting back fiercely and grabbing one of them by the testicles.

The plucky pensioner, who says she developed a “grip like iron” due to her many years of milking goats, held on tightly until police arrived on the scene to rescue the whimpering man.

She told police: “He started screaming like an animal and his friend was trying to pull him free, but I have a grip like iron.”

When officers arrived Miss Popova, who still had the man’s wedding tackle tightly in her grip, finally released her prey so police could take the injured man to hospital and his accomplice off to jail.

A police spokesman said: “They would not have got far, one of them could hardly walk and seemed pleased when he saw the police car.”

Sir Roger Moore made his second visit to Vilnius, this time to attend a concert at the Philharmonic which he himself suggested and helped organise. He also attended a charity dinner, both in his role as UNICEF ambassador.

During Roger’s first visit to Vilnius in May 2009 he suggested to UNICEF staff that he could help organise a concert with Itamar Golan and Julian Rachlin, who were both born in Vilnius. Sir Roger works with these classic musicians regularly and was instrumental in bringing them to Vilnius along with Richard Hyung-ki Joo and Aleksey Igudesman.

President Dalia Grybauskaitė attended both events as patron and stressed the importance of raising funds for the construction of schools in the Ghor Province where Lithuania leads reconstruction efforts.

Sir Roger and wife Kristina Tholstrup enjoyed their second visit to Vilnius, though they were somewhat surprised by the especially cold weather.

The International Women’s Association of Vilnius (IWAV) recently held an action to collect food for the needy in our society.

In conjunction with Prisma at the Ozas Shopping Centre, IWAV volunteered their services to collect donations of food to be given to Mother Teresa Sisters of Charity Shelter, the village of Dailidės and the Village of Rudiškės.

The public responded generously and IWAV were already well on their way to collecting the 1000 kilogram target of food that they were aiming for by the Saturday.

The children of IWAV members and supporters were also eager volunteers and worked tirelessly throughout the whole weekend to make the event a success.

The new World Lithuanian Youth Association (Pasaulio Lietuviu Jaunimo Sajunga or PLJS) board was elected in South America during the 13th Congress recently, and comprises: Kęstas Pikūnas (pictured - UK, Chair), Martynas Gaurilčikas (Germany), Juan Ignacio Forment Kalvelis (Argentina), Giedrė Kazlauskaitė (USA), Stasys Kuliavas (Canada), Saulius Simonavičius (Canada), Petras Vaičiūnas (Canada), Nicolas Velo (Uruguay).

The next and 14th Congress will be held in the UK in the summer 2013. One more member was added to the board later, a representative from the UK and head of the organization committee: Karolis Adomaitis.

The slogan ‘Believe in Freedom’ and the stylized pattern of a woven Lithuanian sash will symbolise the twentieth anniversary of the Re-establishment of Lithuania’s Independence. The pattern is the main graphic symbol in the logo of the anniversary, which is celebrated this year.

Believe in Freedom reflects the main value which united the Lithuanian nation and helped it to keep alive the aspiration to re-establish statehood and led towards the 11th of March 1990.

For the creation of the logo, designer Giedrė Jaronytė used the colours of the Lithuanian national flag, which represent the country’s traditions, values and freedom.

The tiniest graphic elements of the logo - rectangles and squares – form a pattern with traditional motifs, and alludes to modern technologies such as a digital code. The original and modern expression of motifs from Lithuanian folk-art in the logo points to the innovative state of Lithuania.

The logo will be used during the events marking the twentieth anniversary of the 11th of March, also in publications, posters, media and internet, on souvenirs and document forms of state institutions.

10 and 11 February, 2009. Leonid Shinkarenko, an acoustic and electric bass virtuoso, and his band Jazz 4 are appearing at 606 club on 10th February and at Charlie Wrights International on 11th February.

Next to the leader of the band Leonid Shinkarenko, the concert features one of the best jazz trumpet players in Lithuania Valerijus Ramoška, pianist ‘one man orchestra’ Dainius Pulauskas and the drummer Linas Būda. The concert is presented in collaboration with the Lithuanian Embassy in London, Star 1 airlines and Lithuanian weekly Londono žinios.

The fearsome Saor Patrol stole the show bringing the unique sound of Scottish pipes and drums into the 21st century at the 11th Annual Burns Night, a traditional charity event held at Vilniaus Rotušė (Town Hall) on Saturday 30 January.

The Gala Charity ball and raffle, drawn by Rūta Mikelkevičiūtė, raised over LTL15,000 for Mamu Unija Foundation, which supports parents of children with cancer in Lithuania.

The event was attended by 230 guest who were treated to fine Hag-gis (traditional Scottish dish) and ceilidh dancing with the Benach-ally Ceilidh band.

Essen, Pécs and Istanbul celebrate their debut as European capitals of culture
Three European cities have kicked off a year-long culture fest featuring exhibitions, music and theatre. The cities chosen as this year’s European capitals of culture are Essen and the Ruhr region of Germany, Pécs in southern Hungary and Istan-bul in Turkey.

Taking over from Linz (Austria) and Vilnius (Lithuania), the three have put together a packed programme of events that should attract tens of thousands of visitors.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the EU’s culture capital programme. Events must reflect the city’s European character and directly involve residents. They must also promote the cities’ overall development. To that end, each ‘capital’ receives €1.5m in EU funds.

Organisers of the Ruhr programme hope to contribute to the revival of the heavily urbanised area in western Germany - home to well over 7 mil-lion people. Istanbul is playing up its history as a crossroads of European civilisation and a bridge between Europe and Asia, and the Hungarian city of Pécs is highlighting its rich multicultural heritage.

On the last day of the last decade, Lithuanian National Television announced that Lithuania will indeed be participating in Eurovision.

Thanks to TEO LT, who put up the finances to ensure our participation, a Lithuanian delegation will head to Norway to compete in the annual European celebration of schmultz.

It was also announced that anyone interested in representing Lithuania in Norway will need to lodge their applications with Lithuanian National Television by 24 January. All songs need to be originals, less than three minutes long and cannot have been publicly broadcast before 1 September 2009.

The selection process of our representative song will take place in February and March. The Eurovision semi-final will be in Oslo 25 – 27 May and the final on 29 May.

On 31 December, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Ušackas awarded ‘The Star of Lithuania’s Millennium’ for special personal contribution to the restoration of an independent Lithuania’s diplomatic service, strengthening of Lithuanian statehood and merits of promoting Lithuania’s name on Vytautas Landsbergis, Speaker of the Reconstituent Seimas, member of European Parliament and Algirdas Mykolas Brazauskas, President of Lithuania.

While conferring the awards, the Minister stressed that the last day of the year dedicated to the celebration of Lithuania’s Millennium, in the junction of two important years, when Lithuania’s millennium is met by the 20th anniversary of Lithuania’s independence, to pay tribute to two most meritorious persons in Lithuania.

The Minister said that during the years of Mr Landsbergis and Mr Brazauskas leadership many diplomatic goals important for Lithuania were achieved: international recognition, withdrawal of a foreign army, agreements on Lithuania’s state border demarcation with the neighbouring countries were signed, friendly relations with Poland were established and strengthened, the recognition of historical truth was achieved, as well as the normalisation of relations with the world Jewish community and Israel, the US-Baltic Charter was signed, paving the way for our country’s membership in NATO, the country’s modernization, and membership in the European Union.

“Fate has been generous to Lithuania, to have these persons leading Lithuania during its return to the world and strengthening its diplomatic service. Time is running out fast. These achievements may appear or seem for many diplomats of the younger generation as usual or natural ones.

However, as President Valdas Adamkus was conferred with ‘The Star of Lithuania’s Millennium’ in June for his contribution to Lithuanian diplomacy, I said that nothing comes of nothing. Lithuania’s achievements needed a vision, the determination, the courage, the ingenuity and the commitment. You have embodied all these features,” Minister Ušackas said.

8 January – 6 March, 2010. Lithuanian Embassy in London presents the colour photographs of Mečys Brazaitis (1903-1952), a Lithuanian military pilot with the rank of captain, topographer, and photographer, whose photographs take us back to the end of the 1930s, a period when the first colour photography methods were established and flourished.

The exhibition by Mečys Brazaitis beautifully shows not only the characteristics of Lithuanian colour photography that reflect the spirit of the times, but also the first signs of a long period of change in photographic culture. Despite the fact that at the time the technical capabilities to print a colour image on photographic paper did not yet exist, Brazaitis not only carefully studied the technical possibilities of colour photography, but also looked for the best artistic solutions to give meaning to colour as a component of the photographic image.

After Mečys Brazaitis left Lithuania for the West in the summer of 1944 because of the Soviet invasion, the colour slides were kept safe by his family in Lithuania. In order for his photographic work to be introduced to a wider audience, the heirs gave permission to the Association of Open Society Studies located in Kaunas to promote his work.

Vilnius, Dec 29 (ELTA) - In 2012, Vilnius and Kaunas will attempt to become the joint World Book Capital. This title is granted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to a city in recognition of the quality of its programs to promote books and reading.

“It is not known yet, whether it will be possible to nominate two cities, if not, most probably Vilnius will receive this title, however, there still will be a number of joint projects with Kaunas,” said Gintaras Babravičius, Vilnius Deputy Mayor.

According to the deputy mayor, applications will be submitted to UNESCO in January, and an announcement will be made in the middle of February.

The European Union is one of the richest areas in the world, but still 17% of EU citizens have such limited resources that they cannot afford the basics.

Poverty is often associated with developing countries, where a lack of food and clean water can often be a daily challenge. Europe is also affected by poverty and social exclusion. It may not be as severe, but is nonetheless unacceptable. Poverty and exclusion of one individual amounts to the poverty of society as a whole. Europe can only be strong if each individual’s potential is realised.

There is no miracle solution to put an end to poverty and social exclusion. The time is ripe to renew our commitment to solidarity, social justice and greater inclusion. The time is ripe for the 2010 European Year against Poverty and Social Exclusion.

A key value of the European Union is solidarity. As a union we are facing the crisis together, and this solidarity creates a safety net for each and all of us.

Story: Deimantė Dokšaitė and Sandra Sirvidienė

Kūčios (Christmas Eve) is one of the most important celebrations for Lithuanians. During Kūčios Lithuanians used to say goodbye to the old year and celebrate the upcoming New Year. Now Kūčios is identified with the Christian feast – the eve of the birth of Jesus.

The name Kūčios comes from the main dish of this celebration, which is intended for all family members and the souls of relatives. During the ritual evening diner the first mouthful was dedicated to the souls and harvest gods. The kūčia dish was passed around the table and everybody had to taste it.

Kūčia was made from sprouted wheat, peas, beans, poppy, nuts, and hemp. All these seeds were mixed with honey and sweet water. The Kūčios ritual dinner would lead to a productive and fruitful new year.

Kūčios is a family celebration. All family members, even those far away come home to spend time together. It is a holy family duty to come home for Kūčios and strengthen family ties. If somebody died during the year or is not present because of an important reason, an empty seat is left at the table. Candles used to burn in the empty plates.

It was believed that a deceased’s soul would attend dinner with the rest of the family.

Lithuanians also had a tradition of inviting lonely neighbours for Kūčios. If they could not come, they would take some Kūčios dinner to their house.

Preparations for Kūčios used to start early in the morning. It was very important to clean the whole house, change bedding and clothes. Lithuanians also used to go to the bathhouse. This also had a symbolic meaning – protection from any evil or diseases. Up until Kūčios all major work had to be finished, all debts repaid. During the day of Kūčios men would bring firewood to the house, put away tools and clean cattle pens.

For Kūčios the home was decorated with straw. The Christmas tree is not a very old tradition in Lithuania. At the beginning people used to decorate it with apples, nuts, cookies and candles. It was also very important that the fire in the fireplace was not put out during Kūčios.

Women prepared food not only for Kūčios, but also for Christmas. Lithuanians still maintain the tradition of not eating meat during Kūčios.

The Kūčios dinner table was set with hay under the tablecloth. It symbolised the birth of Jesus in a barn.

Hay also had a magic meaning. People would take straw from under the table cloth, if it’s long – you can expect to have a long life, a short one – short life. Thick straw meant a rich and happy life.

Kūčios dinner has to consist of 12 different dishes. They symbolise the 12 months of the year, and according to the Christian traditions the 12 Apostles of Jesus. All dishes have to be without meat, most popular is fish, herring, kūčiukai (small Christmas Eve cookies) with poppy milk, kisielius (a Lithuanian drink from cranberries), dried fruit soup, vegetable salad, mushrooms, boiled potatoes, sauerkraut, bread.

Kūčios is the last evening of Advent, so it has to be spent solemnly.

And Kūčios has magical meaning, with different magical rituals. People predict their future, whether younger girls will get married in the next year, and if farmers will have a good harvest.

IOM Vilnius (Jakšto 12, 4th floor) hosts Doors Open Days on 17-18 (Thu-Fri) December to celebrate International Migrantion Day. A newly published handbook for migrants “First steps in Lithuania” will be freely available for visitors.

The handbook includes information on residency, work permits, social security, education, language education and other important issues. It is available in English, Russian, and Chinese.

Foreigners are also encouraged to use this opportunity to meet IOM staff and discuss various issues and problems they might face in Lithuania. IOM also has a toll-free line 8-800-25252.

“At the time of crisis migrants can easily become scapegoats for social problems that countries face. Our aim is to raise awareness of the rights they hold as migrants and help them feel more comfortable and welcome in Lithuania”, says Audra Sipavičienė, head of IOM Vilnius.

At the moment IOM implements two integration projects for third country nationals. It also organises human trafficking prevention activities and assists migrants in returning home voluntarily.

IOM is a non-political humanitarian inter-governmental organisation, which believes that regular and humane migration can benefit both migrants and societies.

• Photo Gediminas Savickas (ELTA)

On 11 December the annual National Culture and Art Awards were announced, and the presentations will take place on 16 February, Lithuanian Independence Day.

Almantas Grikevičius, a director, was given a lifetime achievement award, director Jonas Rimgaudas Jurašas was awarded for the creation of a modern theatre language and the re-establishment of legend into contemporary Lithuania.

Photographer Romualdas Rakauskas (pictured) was awarded for his photographic artistry, Marija Matušakaitė for the unveiling of authentic ancient Lithuanian art, Ramutė Skučaitė for unification of young and old through her literature and use of prose, Rolandas Kazlas, actor, for both his tragic and comedic theatre performances and creative principles.

Each recipient will receive a prize of LTL104,000, a diploma from the President and a medal at a ceremony to be held at the Presidential Palace.

The 13th World Lithuanian Youth Congress (WLYC or Kongresas) will take place in South America from 22 December 2009 to 7 January 2010. Delegates will meet with Lithuanian communities in Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil. The benefit of WLYC taking place outside of Lithuania is clear; they help not only strengthen the Lithuanian youth associations around the world that organise the event, they also help solidify the relationship with the host country’s Lithuanian community (Bendruomenė) and ensures the continued existence of a strong and vibrant Lithuanian community.

The World Lithuanian Youth Congress is an extremely important event for Lithuanian youth living in the Diaspora, as it brings together representatives of all Lithuanian youth associations from around the world to discuss various topics relevant to today’s youth and is a forum to help one another deal with the unique challenges that various countries may face in uniting their groups.

A new Executive Committee of the World Lithuanian Youth Association (PLJS) will be elected at this Kongresas, as well as the selection of the location of the next Kongresas.

Lithuanian film director Gytis Lukšas will present his new feature film “Duburys” (Vortex) at the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture on Saturday 19 December at 6:30 pm, 6500 South Pulaski Road, Chicago. Entrance is $10.

The film is based on the novel by Romualdas Granauskas, winner of the Lithuanian National Cultural and Arts Award, and is the chronicle of a young man’s shifting relationships as he adjusts rather dramatically to the unfamiliarity of freedom.

The film will be shown in Lithuanian with English subtitles.

Duburys won the Silver Crane Award in Lithuania. It has been selected as Lithuania’s entry for this year’s Oscar nomination in the foreign language film category. Duburys was entered in the Montreal World Film Festival, Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival and has been invited to Cairo International Film Festival and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Music and art festival Be2gether nominated in the European Festival Awards 2009. It is the first Lithuanian festival nominated in the festival awards which is organized by Virtual Festivals Europe and festivals association Yourope since 2004.

Be2gether is only three years old and is already nominated in Best Small Festival category – crowds of around 10,000. Festival fans can vote throughout December, and later a music industry juries will further rate the festivals. The winners will be announced on 13 January in Netherlands.

Place your vote at: http://eu.virtualfestivals.com/index.cfm?section=euroawards&yearid=7

In December, for the fifth year in a row, the Human Rights Monitoring Institute together with our partners organizes the Annual Human Rights Awareness Month to commemorate International Human Rights Day and encourage our society to live and act by human rights principles.

There’s a powerful connection between artists of all kinds and human rights. Artists and activist sometimes stand up against the establishment to say what needs to be said in the name of humanity. Art communicates across the boundaries of geography, politics, gender and race. Human rights too, cross all divides and belong to every individual on the planet.

Freedom of expression is vital for an artist’s work and human rights activist work to protect that very right. But in the end the relationship is more fundamental. We experience art together. It makes us feel human, and moves us to protect the human rights of others. (Amnesty International Magazine, July/August 2006)

Events exploring the connection between art and human rights are popular all over the world – human rights art exhibitions, film festivals, video installations and public actions have been held in Australia, USA and many European countries. This year we decided to bring this theme to Lithuania, therefore we have Human Rights Awareness Month 2009: Artists for Human Rights.
Regretfully, half of events had to be postponed due to the flu epidemic. They have been moved to the Annual Week Against Racism, March 2010 (including a series of discussions at the National Art Gallery as well as the high-level discussion in Seimas with politicians and Nordic experts).

If you are feeling healthy you are most welcome to attend the events that we still have in our calendar (see below). However please take the necessary precautions.

HUMAN RIGHTS AWARENESS MONTH 2009:
ARTISTS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Calendar of Events

30 November 17:30
Grand Opening of the Living Space “Am I Allowed to Dream?”. Place: Gedimino 9, 4th floor. Visitors to the mall are invited to draw their dreams which will be displayed on the walls and ceilings of the 4th floor. Every day from 10 am - 8 pm.

1 December 17:00
Documentary screening Vilnius Ghetto 2009 (Director A. Lelkaitis, 2009). Place: Cinema Pasaka, v.Ignoto str. , Vilnius.

2 December 15:00
Discussion. The New Edition of the Law on Protection of Minors from the Negative Impact of the Public Information: Discriminating Protection or Bridle on Art? Place: Mano Guru, Vilniaus str. 22/1.

3 December 17:30
Movie screening: Vilnius Ghetto (Director A. Juznas, 2006). Place: Cinema Pasaka, v.Ignoto str. , Vilnius.

4 December 15:00
Grand Opening of Exhibition “Artists for Human Rights”. Human Rights Ambassador Award Ceremony. Place: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, J. Tumo-Vaiganto str. 2, Vilnius.
Registration by mail: hrmi@hrmi.lt

10 December 17:15
Documentary screening: Vilnius Ghetto 2009 (Director A. Lelkaitis, 2009). Place: Cinema Pasaka, v.Ignoto str. , Vilnius.

11 December 15:00
Movie screening: Women in Shroud (Director F. Haerinejad, M. Reza Kazemi, 2009). Place: Residency of the Ambassador of Netherlands, Barboros Radvilaits str. 12, Vilnius.
Registration by mail: hrmi@hrmi.lt

21 December 17:30
Closing of the Living Space “Am I Allowed to Dream?”. Place: Gedimino 9, 4th floor.

All Events of the Human Rights Awareness Month 2009 are free of charge.
Everyone is welcome!
Contact: Dovilė Šakalienė
Ph.: +370 5 2314 681
E-mail: dovile.sakaliene@hrmi.lt
Partners and Sponsors: Lithuanian National Commission for UNESCO – General Sponsor of the HRAW, NORDEN Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania, Royal Embassy of Norway, Royal Embassy of Sweden, Royal Embassy of Denmark, Embassy of Finland, Royal Netherlands Embassy, Human Rights Committee of Seimas, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, United Nations Development Programme in Lithuania, European Law Student Association Lithuanian National Group Vilnius Chapter (ELSA Vilnius), Centre of Ethnic Studies of the Institute for Social Research, Roma Community Center, Art Gallery „Vartai“, Association of Lithuanian Young Falcons, ECO Banga (Community Communication Consultants) and Minciu Sodas (Garden of Dreams).

In keeping with Cozy tradition, a new photographic feature adorning the walls of the Old Town café was opened recently. This time around it is the work of Amsterdam-based Lithuanian-born artist Inga Cholmogorova, whose shots of her performance together with a Belgian artist Sarah Benn in an abandoned Belgian factory form the basis of the work.

Entitled Paper Love, the performance piece was improvised during the opening, using the surounds of Cozy rather than abandoned Belgian building, but Inga and Sarah were very pleased with the response and said that the universal themes of love are just as applicable here as in Western Europe.

“The idea of the ‘paper love’ itself was quite intuitive working with the given space,” Inga said. “Already after creating the paper costumes and the whole performance I have realized that they remind us of something well known - Pierrot and Colombine, the characters of Commedia dell’Arte”. The artist also says that the clothes worn by her and Sarah were made out of paper to echo the delicate issues addressed in the work, such as the vulnerable nature of human emotions, relations and expectations as well as the ever-changing nature of material things.

“I like the personality of Inga, I do like her work as well and I think the new pictures will contrast quite nicely with the exhibition of beauties we had before,” said Bernie Ter Braak, the owner of Cozy.

The pictures from the performance Paper Love will stay in Cozy Spring 2010. There are also ‘fragments’ of Paper Love available in the form of postcards that you can send to family and friends from the café.

Aleksandras Aleksejevas: Bronze Relief Icons

St Anthony the Great Bronze

3 – 24 December, 2009. “Sacred Space” gallery presents a solo exhibition by the Lithuanian artist Aleksandras Aleksejevas.

3 December 2009 – 16 January 2010. Anya Stonelake/White Space Gallery presents the first solo UK exhibition of Lithuania’s outstanding photographer, Rimaldas Vikraitis at John McAslan + Partners Architects Gallery. Championed by Martin Parr; Vikraitis won the Arles Discovery Award for New Photography in 2009.

Vikraitis has been quietly pursuing his photography for years, cycling around the desolate farms in the Lithuanian countryside with his camera tied to his bike. Being compared with the British photographer Richard Billingham, he grew up “between marshes and clay” in one of the most secluded corners of the Lithuanian akiai district. “You couldn’t get out to the world without a large pair of wellingtons.”

Vikraitis describes his subjects as “Bearing their cross and yet not grumbling over their lot.” Behind the backdrop of hilarity is the disintegration of a way of living, and persistence for survival. The resulting images are slightly insane and wonderfully surreal.

Rimaldas Vikraitis graduated in Photography from the Vilnius Technical School. He worked for ten years as a photographer in akiai. He has been a member of the Union of the Lithuanian Art Photographers since 1985. Nominations: 2000/2002 and 2003/2004 a State Stipend from the Lithuanian Ministry of Culture. 2009 Arles Discovery Award, Arles Photofestival, France. Major photographic series include “Slaughter” (1982-86), “Nude in a Desolate Farm” (1991), A Meadow at 11.00 (1995), This Crazy World (1995-),Grimaces of the Weary Village (1998-), Farmstead Children (2000-), Farmstead Dreams (2000-). He is represented by Anya Stonelake/White Space Gallery in London.

Supported by the Lithuanian Photographers’ Union, Kaunas Department, and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania.

On Tuesday, December 1, US Ambassador Anne E. Derse and Lithuanian Minister of Culture Remigijus Vilkaitis participated in a book donation which took take place at Adomas Mickeviius Public Library (Trak 10, Vilnius).

The project, “1000 Books for Lithuania’s Millennium,” began early this year, when employees of the US Embassy to Lithuania and their family members shared the titles of their favorite children’s books to be included into the collection.

The entire set of one thousand books consists of new preschool and elementary-school children’s books purchased for the project. The collection is going to be presented to children’s literature departments of Lithuanian libraries, Adomas Mickeviius Public Library among them. The project aims to reach out to five different libraries throughout Lithuania, donating sets of 200 books to each. The total value of the donation exceeds $8,000.

Native American Poets in Lithuania

Four young poets from Navajo and Tohono O’odham tribes performed their original poems and Native songs in Vilnius and Kdainiai recently.

Led by their coach and writer Timothy McLaughlin and the teacher of music Madi Sato, the young poets from the Spoken Word team of the Santa Fe Indian School, New Mexico, USA struck a chord with mesmerized Lithuanian audiences.

The second annual Vilnius Hospitality Awards were presented recently. Designed to lift the calibre of service in the Vilnius hospitality industry. Many of the awards were decided by customer feedback, and agencies and guides were judged by a commission. The competition ran for four months from 1 May to 30 September 2009 and awards presented at Vilnius Rotušė (Vilnius Townhall).

Most Hospitable Large Hotel: Radisson BLU Astorija; Most Hospitable Mid Sized Hotel: Hotel Tilto; Most Hospitable Small Hotel: Hotel Grotthuss; Most Hospitable Restaurant: Neringa; Most Hospitable Café: Mano Guru; Most Hospitable Bar: Bar Bobo; Most Hospitable Music Club: Tamsta; Most Hospitable Museum: (joint winners) Contemporary Art Centre, and Energy and Technology Museum; Most Hospitable Guide: Laima Andrikytė; Most Hospitable Travel Agency: Baltic Travel Group; Most Hospitable Waiter or Waitress: Silvestras Pladas from Cozy; Most Hospitable Service Staff: Monika Agintaitė from Hotel Tilto.

Below is a listing of the films playing at Pasaka Cinemaboutique during the next two weeks.
Call or check on the internet for session times.
All film titles written in original language, all films shown with original sound and Lithuanian subtitles.

Tel: (85) 261 15 16
Šv.Ignoto 3/4, Vilnius
www.kinopasaka.lt

The Tall Ships’ fleet said its goodbyes to Klaipeda recently after four days of celebration during which over a million and a half people, a third of the population of Lithuania, visited the port.
As part of the Klaipòda Sea Festival for the first time, The Tall Ships Regatta proved a more than worthy addition to the Klaipòda seaside celebrations, and the spirit and nautical themes meshed flawlessly over a weekend also blessed with good weather.

As the Tall Ships left the Lithuanian port city, many thousands of people lined the quaysides and the peninsula to wave to the ships as they left.

The smaller vessels that had been moored inside the port made their way out into the bay first before Sedov (Russia), the first of the Class As to slip its moorings, blew her horn loudly to thank the crowds, and with the aid of two tugs made her way into the channel to lead the procession. The rest of the fleet followed, including Astrid (Netherlands) who sailed off her berth to the delight of the many assembled onlookers.

The fleet made its way out to sea towards the Lithuanian navy vessel, Jotvingis, to make the final salute of sail. The large number of vessels in the parade took some three hours to pass . They then dispersed in all directions - some going to their home ports, others onto pastures new, making a fitting ending to one of the most successful Sea Festivals on record.

Ragenaite crowned Mrs Universe 2009

Riga, Aug 10 (ELTA) - Lithuanian representative Vaida Ragenaite has been chosen the most beautiful woman in the competition Mrs. Universe 2009, which took place in Riga.

According to the news portal lrytas.lt, the representatives of 20 countries participated in this competition. The second and third places were taken by the representatives of Belgium and Philippines.
Lithuanian representative Ragenaite is - 35-year-old financial specialist, she is brining up two children: son Arnas, aged 15, and two-year-old Urte. In free time, she likes painting and is interested in rose planting.

Ragenaite is to go to Vietnam in the end of the year to participate in the competition Mrs. World with the representatives of 50 other countries.

* The editor notes with some interest that Vaida Ragenaite must now come back to conquer the world after being crowned Mrs. Univers.