KAUNAS FULL OF CULTURE. NOVEMBER 2018

KAUNAS FULL OF CULTURE

Studies

Illustration by Gabrielė Gudaitytė

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Consciousness, Aurelija Vainiūtė‘s final work at the Glass art and design department of Vilnius Academy of Arts Kaunas Faculty. More about the art of glass on page 4.

Picture from the archives of the artist.

When we started thinking about the issue dedicated to studies in Kaunas, we immediately got lost. How should we count the universities now? In June it was confirmed that soon two universities - Vytautas Magnus and Aleksandras Stulginskis (plus Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences) - will become one.

In addition to that, talks about merging the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences and Lithuanian Sports University are also continuing. But in the end, we realised that numbers, when talking about universities, schools, study programs, jobs or students, are only relevant when we consider tendencies and the whole.

Knowledge is power One of this issue‘s interviewees is convinced that a paper diploma is completely unnecessary these days.

Of course, he speaks from his own experience as a musician. Clearly, if you decide to run for the position of Lithuanian president or other high-ranking position, you would not be able to do without the paper. We only hope that the process of gaining the paper will also be engaging in addition to being necessary. These are the tendencies we‘re looking for in Kaunas this November. Because it doesn‘t really matter how the school is called or who governs it. The school itself doesn‘t teach, therefore, when it is possible, it is more meaningful to choose the people who do.

We have already written about the University of the Third Age (which is very popular in Kaunas) and various

fantastic things that are happening in the city‘s educational institutions, before or after lessons and lectures. But this time we‘ll focus on what‘s happening during the classes; about why students from Ghana and Nigeria choose to study in Kaunas; how and why teenagers living in a correctional facility study; about the prospects of Korean language in Kaunas; about the only glass department in Lithuania (and it has nothing to do with architecture); and about Kaunas 2022 program dedicated to increase the tempo of Kaunas culture, the value of which all residents will be able to sense even before 2022. And the most exciting thing is that Tempo Academy‘s department of professionals consists of students who seem to know everything already. And all that - definitely not for a diploma but for Kaunas.

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Where should you apply if you‘re interested in transparent and fragile materials, dream of melting glass and feel best working next to fiery furnaces of a thousand degrees? You should look for answers to that in Kaunas: Glass art and design department located in Vilnius Academy of Arts Kaunas Faculty is the only one in Lithuania that provides education to glass art professionals.

The staff and alumni of the department artist Aurelija Vainiūtė, lector Paulius Rainys (both in the picture), coordinator of the department Kamilė Stanevičiūtė and head of the department prof. Valmantas Gutauskas tell us how it is to study this transparent material.

Transparent studies Julija Račiūnaitė Photos by Teodoras Biliūnas

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Were you familiar with the specifics of glass studies before joining this department?

peared to be based on a greater responsibility than a strict execution of a predetermined plan.

Aurelija. I became interested in glass when I studied jewellery in Kaunas School of Applied Arts. I met a few girls there who combined jewellery with glass studies in the academy. In a way, they were the ones who pushed me towards that so, before entering the program, I have already had some knowledge about glass studies.

Aurelija. I really liked the fact that I was able to regulate the workload at the academy myself. I knew that the more significant load I take on, the more I will learn. I tried not only to make the most of the lecturers’ knowledge but also go deeper into the speciality on my own and push myself forward.

Paulius. At school, I was engaged in entirely different activities than art studies. I was a professional swimmer, a member of the Lithuanian team, who participated in both the World Cup and European Junior Championships, having reached a Lithuanian record. However, later I became interested in architecture and sculpture. Before entering the art academy, I attended preparatory courses where I got acquainted with stained glass and glass compositions. I was urged to choose glass studies by one smart person, an artist, who advised me that there are many beautiful things in the world and there is no need to select the best known, popular studies.

Why not try something else?

Did you feel a large contrast after entering art academy and exchanging professional sports into art studies?

Paulius. Undoubtedly, the experience gained in sports, and some of the human qualities acquired through it became an asset in the art academy. After I started my studies, I was a bit puzzled by life unconstrained by obligations and the lack of discipline in it. On the other hand, freedom to do what you want provided by the academy ap-

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What project, which was implemented during your studies, would you consider as most significant?

Aurelija. I think that the most significant was the final work. But the works created in the earlier years helped me reach it, especially the silver thimbles. I have a friend who doesn’t have one finger so, I have devoted the silver thimbles’ series to him. It was this artwork that was my breakthrough in creation.

Does he wear sometimes?

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Aurelija. Yes! Now, returning to the final work - a burner had become a wonderful discovery. It was too hot for me to work with hot glass, I did not really like to cut the little pieces of glass either, but after I discovered a burner, I could not pull away from it.

What is it for?

Aurelija. Well, the burner is mainly used to make and repair laboratory glassware. When I was working on my final piece, I would often visit one person - Algis. He works at the Kaunas University of Technology, where he renovates, fixes and repairs the glass inventory of the Faculty of

Chemistry. For example, he puts together broken flasks, etc. It was Algis who revealed a lot of different nuances of this technique and showed me the many things a burner can do.

Paulius. He’s the real alchemist of the Faculty of Chemistry.

Are the more such hidden glass masters in Lithuania?

Kamilė. We know of two: one in Kaunas another in Vilnius. It’s a rare breed.

This triennial is the longestrunning glass art festival in the Baltic States.

Aurelija. So, my final work Sąmonė (Consciousness) - that won the Young Designer Audience Award - was created using a burner.

This work is a combination of glass and metal, with the structure of moss inside. The goal of the work is to promote human awareness. In this case, awareness is a clear state of mind that helps you focus on the internal and external experiences of the present. The moss growing in a glass prism becomes precisely that experience. By getting some humidity it recovers in just a few seconds, and a person wearing this accessory can observe how the moss that is being taken care of transforms and comes to life from a completely dry, dead object. It’s like a meditation bell reminding you to focus on your internal state. What’s interesting is that I wasn’t sure to which category I should assign the work when I decided to participate in the young artist’s competition so, I finally attributed it to fashion.

On the other hand, I have been collaborating with designers during all four years of my studies; glass is inseparable from fashion and design.

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Paulius, you studied in the glass department, and now you work as a lecturer here?

Paulius. I have probably gone through all the steps in this department: I was a student, a coordinator, a technician, a training teacher and finally a lecturer.

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Which part of this process felt best?

Paulius. Of course, when I began teaching, I felt a huge responsibility, but to be frank, all these steps gave me joy. Actually, I have always been this cheerful freak. For example, artists usually get upset when they have to write a theoretical part of the final thesis, but I was stoked to do it. It was fun and exciting in all areas. Without each link there would be no chain. Glass is very much connected to my life, but I can’t say that I’m purely a glass artist. I am not a consistent person, so, if I had to talk about my favourite job, experience, material or technology, I wouldn’t have much to say. I don’t limit myself to glass as a material. If we’re talking about things that interest me, we can speak of glass, metal, image or sound. The only difference lies in the ways you serve your creative thinking. Essentially, glass department moulds a creative and critical person who is a glass specialist but can engage in whatever he or she wants.

Aurelija. When you’re an artist, I think it is dangerous to stop at one thing, pick only something specific because then creative work might soon turn into a craft.

Kamilė. Depending on different stages of life, topics, themes and technologies also change. You have to mature for some discoveries.

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What glass art promotion events or projects are initiated by the glass department?

Valmantas. Vitrum Balticum, an international glass art festival organised triennially since the year 2000, which presents artists from the European and Nordic countries.

Vitrum Balticum includes exhibitions, educational activities, meetings, workshops, discussions. So far, we plan to organise the nearest Vitrum Balticum in 2022, when Kaunas becomes the European Capital of Culture. This triennial is the longest-running glass art festival in the Baltic States. Similar initiatives had taken place in Estonia and Latvia, but eventually, they stopped.

We cooperate with foreign universities as well - we have organised many joint students and teachers’ exhibitions together with artists from the Riga and Tallinn Academies, along with regular summer practices that we hold together. The last summer practice took place in the Nida Art Colony together with the students of the Amsterdam Academy of Art.

Paulius. When organising events, we notice that people from faraway countries find us interesting precisely because of a specific socio-cultural environment and history. In general, the glass art speciality and glass art in Kaunas grew out of the Soviet glass industry.

Valmantas. Yes, back then all glass artisans worked as designers in large companies, where it was very clearly determined what and how things should be manufactured. In addition to that, Kaunas Faculty was more about the applied arts. Kaunas had textile, ceramics and porcelain factories; therefore, there was a demand for workers specialising in

these fields. Glass department was established in 1979. In it, students were trained to manufacture glasses, ware, lamps and vases. There was a break after Jiesa and Aleksotas glass factories were closed - the utilitarian function became less significant, and artists began to play, improvise and create more freely. The history of our department and the textile department, for example, is very similar in this respect.

And the last question: where are the glass eyes for stuffed animals made?

Valmantas. In China.

Paulius. Students occasionally make glass eyes, but not for the stuffed animals probably.

Valmantas. By the way, in 1989 Aleksotas glass factory had to make eyes for the stuffed animals of Tadas Ivanauskas Natural History Museum; probably for roes. It was the so-called “extracurricular activity”.

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Kamilė. This year, we also actively participated in the international art glass symposium Glass Jazz in Panevėžys. This event, organised by the glass artist Remigijus Kriukas, who graduated from our department in 1985, has been taking place since 2014, but this year it grew immensely - the range of participants included artists from China to the USA.

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Close your eyes and listen. A Private jazz academy on the first floor of a private home, almost in front of Vincas Kudirka public library Šilainiai branch, at the very beginning of a quiet residential block. Sounds interesting. Just think about how exciting the swirls of the saxophone twisting as the sun starts to set - should seem to the neighbours of the academy? We talk about this venture calculated by two cold-minded yet creative people - the founders of Jazz Academy Arnas Mikalkėnas and Daiva Masaitytė. Fans of improvised music know Arnas from such projects like Ąžuoliniai berželiai. For eight years he taught at the VMU Music Academy, but in the end, he no longer had any ambition for it because he could not see opportunities to progress. And Daiva? She will soon tell it herself.

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No one ought to say that Šilainiai neighbourhood had nothing to do with jazz until now. For example, let‘s take a look at Renginių oazė, a club that offers a very diverse program. Some Kaunas Jazz concerts were held there, and hopefully, it will be the case in the future. But what‘s happening in Baltų avenue since this September is much more surprising.

Jazz revolution Kotryna Lingienė and Kęstutis Lingys Photos by Dainius Ščiuka

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tion, not only learning the prepared material by heart. I started missing subculturalism from my students; a wish to go and listen deeper. Not to just listen to anything but to explore. Such reflections led to the idea of the academy. We call it the jazz academy, but we‘re actually focusing on improvisation.

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Daiva. Arnas suggested we start in 2019, but everything was developing so quickly that I offered to begin this year. Why not? There are many talented young people, and it‘s an essential environment to save them from extinction. Traditional schools have a lot to do with the budget allocated for every student. They accept anyone, even the people who can‘t read notes, who never went to a music school. There‘s not much competition when entering. Good students who don‘t have anyone to look up to, become worse. It should not be like this.

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Arnas. A few months back.

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When did you have your first conversation?

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What’s the prehistory of Jazz Academy?

Daiva. I have to be grateful to my daughter, who studies at Juozas Gruodis Conservatory - Arnas is her teacher. I liked him very much as a pedagogue - not only children look up to him, but other teachers as well. Arnas‘ ambitions sound like this, “Give me the worst students, and I will still mould something out of that clay.” Also, I‘ve always been fascinated by his musical activities, followed his career, and academy...

Well, currently we are in the premises of my former office, which I thought should be used somehow. So, one day, I told Arnas, “What do you think about an academy?” It turns out we were on the same wavelength.

Arnas. We spoke a lot about new opportunities for talented musicians and informal places. For me, academic youth is not the one who walks in a costume or expresses his/ her connection to one or the other academic institution, but the one who is curious. In my opinion, studying should involve active participa-

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Arnas. Yes, couldn’t agree more - the student budget is a real tragedy. The exam results have become more important than the actual level. Maybe this system works in other areas but definitely not in music.

However, this academy is not an alternative to the institution of higher education. It’s more of a space for the gifted ones to improve themselves, is that true?

Daiva. It is imperative for us to give young musicians a chance to perform. Of course, our concert hall is small, it accommodates only 49 seats, but it’s an alternative to the few competitions and student nights

that take place once a month. We also have ideas to help the academy students travel to other cities.

It is critical not to stay in one place.

When you don’t have anyone to perform to, you start suffocating.

Arnas. In the sense of traditional studies, we really are not an alternative. But for me personally, as a musician, the diploma has not been essential until now. For pedagogical activities, projects, yes, maybe, but no paper is required to play.

Daiva. If you really want to, we will be able to issue a certificate. This can be done by anyone engaged in training or similar activities.

Can people who are no longer of a typical student age but who know how to play be accepted into the academy? Maybe they had performed in some bands?

Arnas. In each case, we would consider the motivation of such a person. We offer regular two-year studies that focus on the formation of ensembles. A generational difference can be critical.

Daiva. It may be that I will be the oldest student - Arnas promised to teach me how to play the drums.

Do you play, Daiva?

Daiva. I graduated from Juozas Gruodis Conservatory where I studied classical piano. I taught for a few years and then it happened so that I went to business. Now, you could say I am back and very happy about it because I really enjoyed that activity. It was only tricky financially.

I believe that now as well, a few teachers are motivated to work with children, especially if they are not on the same level. It’s also difficult

to present them to the audience if you can’t shape them into one unit.

As Arnas mentioned, ensembles are significant to us.

Arnas. We are a specialised, but not a typical private school. Usually, private schools don’t have entry exams. As a teacher, I generally avoided private lessons. After all, in this case, the student dictates the conditions, “Can you teach me how to play?” But here, the conditions are dictated by me - come if you are interested in this or that. We won’t lose much if we have a few students less.

How does the selection process go? How many students you already have?

Arnas. Currently we have three ensembles. We have discussions, I want to learn about their motivation. We had a few today. Most are students, Kaunas residents. Those who want more than what they get in the academy or conservatory.

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We have invited saxophone player Tomas Razmus, double bass player and guitarist Gintaras Eidukaitis to teach. I also spoke with Eugenijus Kanevičius who will probably be joining on a more advanced level.

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Is it true that your master classes are open to everyone, not only your students?

Arnas. Yes. All you need to do is register and pay a fee. We had an exciting and fully booked event with Viačeslavas Ganelinas. It was a very open meeting, not a typical lesson.

And how do you see the academy in the context of the neighbourhood and the city? You named the school in English, does that mean you aim further than Kaunas?

Daiva. Yes. The English name is intentional. We’re already inviting teachers from abroad; this year’s program is almost completed. And in general - this isn’t a place for studying only. As we say to everybody - it is a space for jazz, rhythm and improvisation. We also improvise with our activities: they might change and expand. But maybe it will settle in five years? We strive to cultivate sociality, musical taste. Of course, we would be delighted if our neighbours came to the concerts. During the evening rehearsals, I usually take my dog out for a walk, and I try to imagine the neighbours’ reaction to the music coming from the academy.

Arnas. The conception of the word “academy” is very stereotypical. To me, academy primarily is a community. Not only of musicians but also of listeners.

Daiva. So far, the neighbours haven’t yet come. In the end, it is a specific kind of music.

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People like Ganelinas come and say, “This place is made for the academy.”

Arnas. Well, let me say this. I practice martial arts. Once, during practice, I put on Ąžuoliniai berželiai.

And what do you think? In the concert at Artists’ House, I saw some familiar faces. And not only in ours, in other improvised music concerts as well. We can even discuss it, “You know, this time it wasn’t that strong, the previous time was better.”

Yes, it is a terrible stereotype that musicians only listen to this type of music and, for example, philosophers to that kind, right?

Arnas. Exactly, and that’s very interesting. Often a non-specialist listener is sincerer than someone with an academic background. Once with Berželiai, we played in Bitėnai that are close to Pagėgiai, in Martynas Jankus museum, a former printing house. Probably around 50 people came. After the concert, one farmer told me, “You play like the cowbell of my cow”. At first, I thought he doesn’t understand anything, but afterwards, I got angry with myself at having this attitude. He listens, hears and adapts to what he has learned to his experience and environment. And that is the purpose of music.

Which instruments can be heard louder in the academy?

Arnas. Mostly piano, percussion, double bass or bass guitar. We don’t have a strong wind section yet. It would be fun to have a trombone, a trumpet, and a French horn. When inviting teachers, we look for improvisers who actively hold concerts.

Daiva. Before opening the academy, we were worried that we would receive many vocal students because there are so many vocal studies now.

However, we haven’t felt a dramatic influx yet.

Arnas. But soon, we will invite Anne-Liis Poll - a fantastic experimental vocalist from Estonia. I have attended her workshop in Leipzig, Germany. While I am no vocalist myself, I was fascinated by her methodology, freedom.

Daiva has already mentioned that the list of guests for this school year has been completed, right?

Arnas. For now, we won’t be having people from abroad every month, but I hope there will be more of them in the future. I am thrilled that Michael Moore will come in February. He is an extraordinary personality, someone to look up to.

He will teach and perform as well.

Do people need to buy a ticket for Improdimensija series and other concerts?

Daiva. Yes. Ten or fifteen euro. We prefer twenty people with tickets than a full hall of people who don’t want to pay. People do not appreciate what they get for free. Everyone speaks of how we should support art, but when you need to take out ten euros... My daughter also said there are talks in the conservatory about our tickets being pricey. But then I asked her how much a glass of beer costs at a bar. These concerts for students are lessons as well. Improdimensija events are followed by discussions.

Did all your colleagues meet the news about the academy gladly?

Do you feel any competition or jealousy?

Arnas. No. Everyone greets the initiative. The improvisation circle is tiny in Lithuania, you can count people on your fingers. We are all busy, and we all support each other. There’s no time for a competition.

Daiva. People like Ganelinas come and say, “This place is made for the academy.” And it’s true. Now you can go here by bicycle as well.

And also build a strong connection with performers and teachers. Will you hold some outdoor concerts in the summer?

Daiva. We will see. And we really ought to strengthen the connections. Now they can prepare coffee together, and in spring they’ll be able to chill outside. We put up no-smoking signs and placed some apples instead - so, they live healthier. Maybe it’s an unusual approach, but I personally want to help good, talented youths who may be misguided, to find their way.

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Daiva. So true. When I studied at the conservatory, we often visited the Philharmonic. We had to evaluate and criticise constantly: maybe they did not play it as the composer intended or perhaps they held their hand in a wrong way. After that, for a long time, I felt that I couldn’t just listen to music normally, it was very irritating. I was taught not to listen, but to criticise.

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If the buildings of the Kaunas University of Technology, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas College and Lithuanian University of Health Sciences are located in various places around the city, Aleksandras Stulginskis University is like a separate academic republic. It is located outside the official limits of Kaunas city, and it takes some time before you reach it in public or your own means of transportation. In addition to the distance, 80 per cent of ASU study programs are unique in the context of Lithuania.

So, if you want to become a land, water or forestry specialist - you have no other choice.

By the way, ASU‘s study and science database has been completely renovated, and no other university in Lithuania could boast about it.

Improving agriculture in Africa Gunars Bakšejevs Photos by Donatas Stankevičius

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I discovered ASU,” explains Emeka Benjamin. He had travelled a lot and had an opportunity to study in Spain, but he would have had to learn Spanish, and he wouldn’t have been able to apply this knowledge in Nigeria. Among the most relevant knowledge gained in this field, Benjamin emphasised the areas directly contributing to agricultural productivity - human resource management and time planning. In the future, he would like to contribute to the strengthening of relations between Nigeria and Lithuania.

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Afis Oluwasegun Adeszin

So why do students from abroad choose to study in Lithuania? This was the first question that we asked Afis Oluwasegun Adeszina, who has been living in Lithuania for six years, and his compatriots, who have started their second year in Lithuania: Ifeanyi Harrison Ndukwu and Emeka Benjamin Ani-Onovo together with Ropheka Takyiwaa Adofo from Ghana (she had also studied in Ukraine before). By the way, these four are only a small part of the diverse international community in ASU. You can also find students from Kongo, India and Kazakhstan.

Students from Nigeria unanimously state that they are interested in agricultural development - or, more precisely, revitalisation - in their native oil-dependent country. All of them plan to apply what they‘ve learned in ASU. “I have studied economics and worked in government institutions and realised that the Nigerian government is focusing more on other economic areas, especially oil, but not agriculture. After that, I started wondering where could I deepen my knowledge in this field and that is how

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Meanwhile, Ifeanyi Harrison recalls that he heard about the possibility of studying in Lithuania from his friends who are living here. He already has experience in agriculture and believes it could become a new gold mine in Nigeria. He is mostly interested in the engineering side of this issue, process mechanisation and increased productivity. When planning his studies, he had to choose between Italy and Lithuania. The former won. He chose ASU for financial reasons, and believes “The quality of education is very high here.” Afis Oluwasegun agreed with the reasons behind the choice to study at ASU. He has come to Lithuania six years ago and is currently doing his master‘s. He already did his internship at the Kaunas Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts. During the internship, the student introduced Lithuanian companies with business opportunities in agriculture in Nigeria.

Ropheka Takyiwaa came to Lithuania in search for... adventure, “People from Ghana rarely visit this part of Europe. When looking for opportunities to study economics, I discovered a university in Lithuania, and I was shocked that there is such a country!”

As we mentioned before, Ropheka had studied in Ukraine so, Lithuanian winter did not scare her one bit.

And after she got settled in Kaunas,

Ropheka realised that agriculture is an exciting area for her.

Afis Oluwasegun‘s acquaintance with winter was much more complicated.

He arrived in Lithuania in February during freezing temperatures. He said that it was challenging for a few months. Ifeanyi Harrison also caught a cold during his first winter in Lithuania. Emeka Benjamin says that during the acclimatisation period he had difficulties using public transport. Fully understandable!

When asked about their leisure time, students say they mostly spend it at home because shopping malls and Laisvės alėja - recommended by their classmates - became boring after some time. Vilnius offers more purposeful opportunities to spend your leisure time, and the guys have already managed to visit such Lithuanian towns like Druskininkai, Panevėžys, Marijampolė, Mažeikiai. Afis Oluwasegun drives a car, and that makes things easier.

Meanwhile, Ropheka Takyiwaa more often chooses to visit other countries.

The quality of studies is good, the city is comfortable to live in - does that mean that ASU will receive more students from various African countries where agriculture is a promising area, requiring a new attitude and modern skills? Here, the conversation takes an unexpected turn, and the interviewees have a lot to say about this question. It

Ropheka Takyiwaa Adofo

turns out that there is no increase in students from Nigeria and other countries in Lithuania because it is complicated for third-country nationals to obtain visas - even if they are already enrolled in the university and have guaranteed funding for the whole period of study. The bureaucratic process turned out to be really complicated for our interlocutors. For example, let‘s say you need to declare your place of residence to extend a visa. If you rent an apartment, the owner does not always agree to do it because sometimes he just pockets your rent since his own wallet is emptied every month by a bank loan; therefore, he does not feel like paying taxes from the rent money. So, what should a foreign student do in such cases? “Since I didn‘t have a choice, I had to pay for a room in a dormitory and for the flat as well,” says Emeka Benjamin.

The ASU students we interviewed can agree entirely on one thing - they are true residents of Kaunas already, regarding the mindset. “You don‘t always have stuff to do in Kaunas, but after I go to Vilnius, I am always eager to come back,” says Emeka Benjamin.

“I spend a few months in Nigeria and already want to get back home to Kaunas,” laughs Afis Oluwasegun.

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ASU students say that Lithuanians are friendly but very modest people.

“Of course, people are interested in learning where we‘re from, what we‘re doing here, what we are studying, but many of them, at least before, were afraid to ask!” recalls Afis Oluwasegun. Emeka Benjamin agrees - his first impression of Lithuanians was not the best until he understood that he should just start the conversation first and then all will go well.

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The establishment of the King Sejong Institute (KSI) network started in 2005. It is a South Korean initiative that aims at establishing the centres of Korean language and culture which would enable anyone interested in learning more about Korea. King Sejong Institutes operate in 174 cities in 57 countries around the world. Kaunas branch of KSI was officially opened in early October at the Vytautas Magnus University‘s Multifunctional Center for Studies and Research. It is the second in Lithuania and fourth in the Baltic countries.

The representatives of the international KSI Foundation, who came to the city in mid-April to evaluate the application submitted by the institution, noticed a keen interest in strengthening Korean studies and culture in Kaunas. The active contribution of many has resulted in the fact that the VMU Center for Asian Studies was one of 16 out of 56 institutions that applied this year and successfully passed all stages. It is expected that the establishment of such institute will strengthen the popular Korean studies that were started in VMU more than a decade ago and enrich the knowledge of Kaunas residents about this distant and little-known country. We are talking about the ambitions and desire to spread Korean culture in Kaunas with KSI Korean language teachers Erika Griučkaitytė, who is also an administrator of King Sejong Institute in Kaunas, and Eglė Petrauskaitė.

Kimchi with King Sejong Edvinas Grin Photos by Andrejus Bykovas

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Erika Griučkaitytė and Eglė Petrauskaitė

What is the prehistory of KSI‘s establishment in VMU? Whose initiative was it, on what basis and purpose it was decided to set up this institute and what results are expected soon?

Erika. The idea of creating an institute has long been on everyone‘s minds because in VMU we have both undergraduate and postgraduate studies where the Korean language can be chosen as one of the speciality subjects. The Korean Culture Club Hallyu has been operating in the university for nearly a decade. We maintain close contact with Korean universities, and we wanted to expand the supply of activities related to this country in Kaunas because there is a demand.

However, KSI was first established in Vilnius in 2014 which as slightly unexpected for us, so we had postponed all the ideas about the second institute in Lithuania for a few years.

The establishment of KSI requires preparation, and it is challenging to understand the requirements without the help of Koreans. We were encouraged by professor Yuri Kim who

was sent by the Korea Foundation and taught at VMU from 2016 till 2018. She contributed a lot to the whole process of initiating the establishment of the institute.

At the end of 2017, prof. Juri Kim, Linas Didvalis (Chief Coordinator of VMU Center for Asian Studies and current head of KSI Kaunas), Aurelijus Zykas (Head of VMU Center for Asian Studies) Eglė Petrauskaitė (KSI Kaunas language teacher) and I have consulted and then started the preparatory works for the establishment of KSI. We prepared documents and submitted applications. In April we received a delegation from the KSI Foundation. During their visit, we coordinated the premises and other organisational questions, participated in meetings with representatives of the VMU administration. At the beginning of this summer, we received the final approval and permission to open the second KSI in Lithuania from the KSI Foundation.

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An exhibition of Korean calligraphy

The establishment of the Institute in Kaunas will, first of all, strengthen Vytautas Magnus University‘s position as the leader of the Korean Studies in Lithuania. In addition to that, it will offer the opportunity not only to the university community but also to the general public to become more familiar with Korea, its culture and language.

Have you visited similar institutes abroad? Tell us more about how this network of institutes operates. Do they cooperate with each other?

Eglė. I have been to the King Sejong Institute in Vilnius, but I haven't had an opportunity to go visit it abroad.

The work of the network depends heavily on the continent the institutes are located on because each continent and country have their own peculiarities to which the activities of the institutes are adapted.

As far as I know, the activities of the King Sejong Institute in Europe are sufficiently independent and individual. The Institute's headquarters

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in South Korea is also seeking to promote regional inter-institutional co-operation because of administrative and educational qualities.

For example, in November, European KSI workshops will take place in Vilnius, where we will also take part.

The Institute itself has many different rules and regulations, but it often happens that even in the same country, different institutes are administered differently. For example, one institute can be established on the initiative of the South Korean Embassy, ​​ another institute on the effort of two universities, and the third maybe founded only by one university. Institute's work and administration are based on how it was established. Therefore, such regional meetings are essential so that we can share our experiences.

What opportunities will open up for VMU students, university's community and the general public of Kaunas after the establishment of this institute?

Erika. KSI is mainly engaged in standardised intensive Korean lan-

guage teaching and the presentation and promotion of Korean culture by organising various cultural events such as lectures, workshops, exhibitions and more. This semester we are teaching the Korean language to two beginner groups in the evenings. In September, we organised educational and practical classes about Korean calligraphy led by Korean masters.

In October, an exhibition of Korean calligraphy was held at the University, hosted in cooperation with the Korean community in Lithuania.

connected to Korea and its culture.

The experience of institutes around the world shows that practical and educational events that offer more than listening or seeing something about Korea, for example, tasting or trying out, get more interest and success; therefore, precisely these events should be expected to take place.

KSI also offers the opportunity to participate in language competitions organised by the Foundation and win not only various prizes but also a trip to Korea. KSI has been intensively collaborating with universities in Korea since last year. They offer scholarships for the best students to improve their language skills or for long-term studies. The Institute's range of activities is continually expanding and being refined; it reacts quickly and adapts to local needs. In some countries, people are more interested in learning the Korean language, others want to know more about Korean popular culture, and still others favour career or travel opportunities. In Lithuania, we sense an interest in the language, Korean pop and traditional culture and study opportunities.

There is growing talk about the potential of Chinese studies, and the reason behind it is the massive Chinese market and future prospects. The discussions about opportunities in South Korea are rarer, but they have also started.

Tells us, what is the career, culture and collaboration potential in this still undiscovered country for us?

The first 6 months of the Institute is a trial period, so, in the future, we will be able to offer a wider variety of events and lectures for both university community and the general public of Kaunas - from cooking and tasting workshops to the lessons of traditional Korean music and dance. Incidentally, several times a year, KSI Foundation sends the teachers of traditional art, dance and music to the institutes, where they introduce the students with their craft. Also, each KSI can invite Korean artists and various professionals who would present topics

I don't think that it makes sense to paint Korea as a distant and unfamiliar planet if we talk about a career potential. It's best for Lithuanians to divide countries into European Union member states and non-EU members. The opportunities to work and live in South Korea are almost the same as in other non-European countries. In other words, it depends more on the person who wants to get settled in Korea than

The nearest KSI Kaunas plans include the workshop of traditional Korean fermented cabbage and a graduation ceremony.

EglÄ—: Our country's relations with South Korea are more cultural than economic, but we are seeing some signs that our business is interested in exporting to South Korea. Sometimes we see that Lithuanians in Korea find Lithuanian beer or dairy products which ten years ago would have been unthinkable.

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on some institutions or common arrangements. There can be many opportunities, it's important to know how to use them.

I could say the same thing about the language. We are often asked, “What will I do after I learn Korean?" But, you know, philology students who are studying popular languages ask the same question. Language is not a speciality. It's a tool, and its application depends on the person who controls it.

Our goal is to broaden the horizons of a person; to show him/her that outside our home there's a much broader and more diverse world. In principle, we can show the door or give a key. Whether the person is going to open them or not, depends on himself.

Tells us more about King Sejong.

Is it true that we could draw some kind of parallel between him and Grand Duke of Lithuania, Vytautas the Great?

EglÄ—. King Sejong is the only Korean king of all the dynasties that was called "the great." Perhaps this is the central parallel between him and Vytautas the Great. Of course, they both lived between the late 14th and early 15th century, but Joseon (as Korea was called at the time) and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania were two very different states, and the lives of both rulers also differed. Vytautas was a soldier, and Sejong was a resourceful intellectual. But both were prominent politicians and strategists.

What is your personal relationship with Korean culture?

EglÄ—. I liked East Asia since childhood, but I became more interested in Korean culture in 2006 when I

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Perhaps, Lithuanians never thought about how many South Korean products (electronics, cars, etc.) they use.

finally got permanent access to the Internet. I have completed English language and literature studies at Vilnius University. It was the time when one could only dream about Korean language studies in Lithuania. Each year I would go to VU Centre of Oriental Studies to ask whether they started Korean language classes in the evenings. Unfortunately, either there would be not enough students or no teacher, so finally, I went to South Korea through the exchange program.

Erika. I have been interested in Korean culture and language for 17 years, more than half of my life. For me, this is a hobby, and for some years now - my main job. It is an integral part of my daily routine, and sometimes it's hard for me to perceive how Lithuanians see this country. So far, all my critical choices in life have also been related to Korea, and even Bachelor's degree studies at VMU were because at the time it was one of the few universities in Lithuania

The tense political situation and activity of North Korea often leaves South Korea in the background and potentially undermines the image of a neighbouring country.

What would you say about that?

Or maybe we shouldn't compare these two countries?

Eglė. Although we see a lot of cultural similarities between the two countries (after all, we are talking about the same people), in fact, they are two different units. People who have an interest in South Korea are not affected by the constant mentioning of North Korea in the media because they know what is what.

Perhaps, it's impossible to avoid comparing the two countries because after the unification of Germany, we now have a unique case, where the same country has been living for 70 years as if it is still divided into two parts. But the question is how we compare them.

When I first went to South Korea, my two grandmothers fell into tears thinking that I was going to some kind of terrible land, where anti-nuclear sirens can be heard every day, and everyone lives in a state of war.

But that's not true. All the things that are shown about North Korea should not be applied to South Korea.

Perhaps, Lithuanians never thought about how many South Korean products (electronics, cars, etc.) they use. I

wonder why the news of third countries about North Korea should have a more significant impact on our perception of South Korea when we are facing it directly in our daily lives.

What more should we know about the modern and popular Korean culture besides the highly popular K-pop genre?

Eglė. In fact, K-pop is the latest wave of South Korean popular culture. One of the first waves (especially in Asia) was the Korean television series. Interestingly, now we can see them on Lithuanian screens. On Saturdays, TV1 shows Empress Ki which was very popular in Korea a few years ago.

Besides, in Kaunas supermarkets, we can already find separate sections of Korean cosmetics. From the Korean standpoint, K-beauty is also part of the Korean culture.

As far as education is concerned, how should a modern university look like? Will you aspire to that at King Sejong Institute?

Erika. Lifelong learning and development are some of the main trends in contemporary education. King Sejong Institute embodies that perfectly because everyone can come study Korean - high school students, university students and anyone else interested, no matter of what age.

It is never too early or too late to get acquainted with a new culture or country. In my opinion, the task of a modern university is not primarily educational, it should also create a community and establish long-lasting relationships among its members and to encourage dynamic cooperation. This is precisely what KSI aims at doing - to introduce the world with this country’s culture and language and to establish closer cultural ties with the people of the world.

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offering opportunities to participate in the student exchange program in Korea. At the moment, I am seriously considering whether I should continue my studies and associate my future with Korean language and culture because there's a need for such professionals or maybe the opposite; perhaps I should relax and do something else, so that after some time I would see, feel and fall in love with Korea once again.

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On September 6, 1968, in a building in Kaunas which was supposed to be a communal house, “a youth labour and correction facility for convicted juvenile males” was opened. The institution that recently celebrated its 50th anniversary today is called Kaunas Juvenile Remand Prison-Correction House (KJRP-CH). The name of the school that is part of the institution has also changed more than once - today it is called Aitvaras school. It is one and only in Lithuania, just like this correctional facility. It would be impossible to talk about the school alone; therefore we discussed with KJRP-CH deputy head Vilmantas Dambrauskas, head of the social rehabilitation department Almantas Atkočaitis and Aitvaras school deputy head for education Inga Rakauskienė about the everyday life of this institution. Apparently, it‘s not that boring and monotonous as it may seem.

School without homework Kotryna Lingienė and Kęstutis Lingys Photos by Donatas Stankevičius

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The classes at Aitvaras school are arranged like everywhere else - based on age. But also, according to the existing level of education: it happens that a sixteen-year-old ends up in the institution having graduated only from the second grade. Also, for example, the tenth grade has two groups - one contains four students and the other six. And that depends on what kind of crime they were sentenced for and how they behave.

When asked what class children favour the most, I. Rakauskienė smiles: physical education. Teenagers need to blow off some steam. But according to her, what is more important than the lesson itself is the teacher - his personality, attitude, “You‘ve made your bed, now lie in it; your students will form their opinion about you based on the attitude you bring to the class.” All the respondents mention the recently employed music teacher Andrius Urbonavičius. They say that kids motivated by him forget all of their creeds and complexes and sing their hearts out, “You can hear them on other floors.”

We could not help but visit the music class and meet the teacher who joined the Aitvaras school last December because he felt it was time for new challenges. An educator with 20 years of experience told us he, as a new teacher, had to pass the tests of the pupils. How did he succeed? “I brought a portable keyboard and started playing for them. Singing, too”.

A. Urbonavičius believes singing songs helps the kids to forget the hardships in their lives. The teacher offers a wide array of songs, including sentimental ballads in both Lithuanian and Russian (there’s a number of Russian-speaking kids in the school). Four boys sang “Kaltas ruduo”, a 90s hit by a local pop band

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Naktinės Personos. Our host told us he teaches some of the more talented kids to play the piano, too.

Oh, and there’s a talented rapper in Aitvaras school.

The boys’ engagement in music came as a surprise to the employees of KJRP-CH. A. Atkočaitis acknowledged he was deeply touched when the pupils sang the National Anthem on February 16th: “I was absolutely sure some of them won’t even try to sing”.

Aitvaras‘ team of teachers is stable, although recently it had an influx of younger pedagogues. One-third of the teachers are men, although the deputy notes that children listen to women more. Of course, almost all the pedagogues work in other educational institutions, since this one does not have a huge workload. I. Rakauskienė came here 17 years ago - she was invited by a colleague and decided that it would be interesting to gain new experience, - but she abandoned all other jobs only this year. Besides being a deputy director for education, she teaches Russian and Ethics.

A. Atkočaitis, a graduate of the Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education at the time, who wanted to work as a basketball coach, came to Chemijos Street 12 years ago following his friend who got a job there. Gradually he‘s risen to his current position, but the basketball hasn‘t gone anywhere. For the past four years, the institution has been collaborating with Kaunas “Žalgiris” - basketball players who are the Euroleague project One Team ambassadors visit the kids to share their experience, and the children go to matches. Last year they were going to Žalgiris Arena for exercise.

Sounds like good motivation! KJRPCH basketball team comprised of

Singing with Andrius Urbonavičius

officers, convicts and team sponsors Baltic Master compete in Kaunas basketball league. A. Atkočaitis also plays, “I do that after working hours, but I don‘t count them.” “There is no time for that”, smiles V. Dambrauskas.

By the way, talking about motivation. Trips to matches, swimming pool or to meet the pope - all of these are incentives. The most important thing is good behaviour, then studying, and thirdly, participation in social rehabilitation.

KJRP-CH along with its partners offer many different ones. Recently a quiz organised together with Kaunas District Prosecutor‘s Office took place - six teams participated in it.

Those who want to practice religion can do so - the institution had set up three chapels. Eleven children are thinking of getting baptised. But of course, there is no pressure, says A. Atkočaitis, “Once we tried to invite

everyone to the Mass, but I noticed that not everyone was interested in that and you will not achieve anything by forcing people.”

KJRP-CH introduced an innovation: this year, the unguarded youths living in a recently renovated building - financed by Norwegian programs - on the other side of Chemijos Street have been given the opportunity to study outside the institution. The logic behind it is that the unguarded must either work or study and they have more freedom than other convicts. There are seventeen of such children and every morning they go to five schools in Kaunas. “We had some challenges had to organise meals, Kauno autobusai provided free bus passes,” explains A. Atkočaitis and emphasises the factor of mutual trust.

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Almantas Atkočaitis

It should be acknowledged that the social life of children is somewhat limited. The number of KJRP-CH’s residents is comparatively low compared to other prisons in Lithuania altogether almost 70. 48 of them are of age. According to the recently amended legal act, youths can stay there until they are 24. They can call their relatives; short visits are arranged. The better your behaviour, the more calls and meetings can be arranged. Long-term visits are a rarity because they are only for married people. And what about parents?

This is the saddest part of the story, which has got to do with the fact that some adolescents who arrive at the institution have only had a few years of school. Of all KJRP-CH residents only several come from two-parent families, others are from

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children’s homes or their parents have issues with alcohol or they are serving time in prison. The number of parents who come to visit their children during the open days that are organised in Chemijos Street once or twice a year is very small.

And even though the employees of KJRP-CH and Aitvaras school, together with the help of their social partners do everything they can to help the children choose a different course of life after they serve their sentence - they are not omnipotent.

If a youth is released on probation, then it is still possible to see how he‘s doing.

KJRP-CH provides dynamic care which means that each child plans his or her own schedule according to the activities designed for them.

Every morning, the agenda must be submitted to the supervisor of

You may have noticed that the word “children” was mentioned repeatedly in the article. We heard it even more during our visit at KJRP-CH. And it doesn‘t matter that some of them are twenty-somethings and that they were brought to Chemijos Street because of a lifestyle that you would never call childish. For the people who work there - they are all kids, “They are not bad, they just didn‘t luck out with life.”

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the unit, and this is forwarded to the supervising officer. If you haven‘t planned your day - you will not be able to leave your place of residence.

“This is how we prevent illegal actions, which are now almost non-existent,” says A. Atkočaitis. In other institutions, dynamic care would not be possible due to an insufficient number of employees, but here they are almost 150. In general, the conditions in KJRP-CH are in many ways better, but there are instances when detainees reach 18 and decide they want to be among adults or their relatives who are serving time talk them into transferring to another prison. But some time passes, and the youths want to get back to KJRP-CH. However, there is no such opportunity. Some time ago there were plans to connect this institution with the adult one, but the unified administration made its case against it and proved that it would be a big mistake. Nowhere in Europe minors are serving time with adults. But is the number of convicts at KJRP-CH decreasing? Yes, because in recent years prison sentence is given only for particularly serious crimes, in other cases lighter penalties are offered.

And now, a little bit more about the school which is a massive part of everyday life. There is no homework at Aitvaras school. Everything needs to be done in time during classes.

Here, the curriculum is reduced it is only 80 per cent of the general schools‘ plan and the students who are located in isolation have only 60 per cent. Students take the examinations they choose - even if a specific exam is chosen by one child only, a commission for his examination will still be formed. In short, all conditions are in place. After graduation, conditions are also provided to continue education elsewhere, to acquire a profession. By the way, what would Aitvaras‘ students like to do? It turns out that currently, the most popular profession is a welder because it is a well-paid job both in Lithuania and abroad.

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They are not bad, they just didn‘t luck out with life.

Walking around KJRP-CH and talking to the employees it is evident that they have a challenging job.

And not only because of a small salary. You have to replace a mother, a father and a friend for a child, but at the same time, you must remain his superior. I. Rakauskienė states that teachers‘ motivation mostly consists of students’ admission that they would not have achieved so much if they had attended a school outside the detention centre.

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To teach the taught Gunars Bakšejevs Photos by Andrius Aleksandravičius

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Kaunas 2022 program Tempo akademija (Culture Tempo Academy) is currently less visible than, let‘s say, Modernism for the future, which promotes interwar architecture, but quite a few people are working on it. It is hoped that the fruits of their labour will be enjoyed not only by residents of Kaunas and Kaunas county but all the people visiting the European Capital of Culture in 2022. Culture Tempo training for the professionals of the field, future volunteers and the youngest residents of the city and county has already started.

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In October, we visited Kaunas Artists’ House were the representatives of twelve Kaunas and Kaunas country cultural institutions (two from each) have put their achievements, titles and diplomas aside and started to deepen their knowledge on how to expand their audience.

The students are people working at the Kaunas Ninth Fort Museum, Kaunas State Drama Theatre, Kaunas Biennial, Kaunas State Puppet Theatre and musical project Kaunaszoo. What for? So that their work would attract more people and the audiences would understand better what cultural institutions are trying to communicate, so that the consumption of culture would not be a closed circle. Currently, the people participating in the training are researching the questions of strategic planning, analysing the possibilities of audience research as well as marketing and communication subtleties. In the second stage until October next year - they will address the issues of audience reach, cooperation, participation in culture, and will develop an audience expansion plan.

The leader of this training, representative of Polish institution Impact Foundation and Łódź Arts Incubator, Agata Etmanowicz has been to Kaunas several times before and is getting better acquainted with the city each time. She will keep returning to Kaunas with a different lector every time. Paul Bourne who teaches entrepreneurship at the Cambridge Business School is the first one. He is a theatre director who finds time to create and also share his experience with others. We talked to Agata and Paul about what learning and teaching in the 21st century are like and, in the end, how those who already have many diplomas and loads of experience learn?

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The first lesson of this Tempo Academy’s course started with... pairing up. That is, regardless of experience or work they’re doing, the participants have received a partner who they hadn’t known well before, and will now have to communicate with throughout the entire training year - for example,

periodically ask how their partner is doing. “They are already motivated. They filled out the questionnaires, went through the selection process - so they are already cultural professionals, but first and foremost, human beings,� says Agata.

According to her, the expansion of audiences is a process that involves

not just one person, but an organisation as a whole, and it is a long process. Therefore, everyone is essential, regardless of what exactly he or she is working on. After all, those who sell tickets will have to be motivated as well.

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“We are constantly experimenting in this program, but we don’t copy the methods that work in other organisations or cities. And, of course, we are learning from our mistakes,” says the audience expansion expert who had spread her experience in two European Capitals of Culture - Wroclaw in Poland and Košice in Slovakia.

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Interestingly, during the first half of the year, participants are only learning - in the true meaning of the word. “It’s not worth it yet to implement what you’ve learned, and we seriously advise against that.

First of all, see into it; try out different lenses - from pink to coal-black, from the ones worn by shortsighted people to the ones that farsighted people wear,” the lector advises.

Only later the participants will be able to carry the seeds provided at the training to plant in their organisations so they could become audience-oriented. By the way, it may be that some of the participants will become audience expansion coaches and will join Agata’s team.

Since in November issue Kaunas Full of Culture is talking about studies, we were wondering if it is possible to learn audience expansion in university. Can it be taught? Paul is convinced that the experience gained in the cultural sector is essential, “All the students can do is go back to their dorms and write about it.” And if a student is already working in the field of culture, it is likely that he doesn’t have any real power to change anything.

Of course, both Paul and Agata have academic work experience.

Agata teaches at the University of Warsaw. More precisely, she leads workshops, not lectures and is very pleased to meet her ex-students

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outside the university, working in the cultural sector and striving to make culture accessible to a broader range of people.

How does one learn to teach? Can anyone be a teacher? “It depends on how you define teaching,” Paul explains. “I believe that when you want to share your knowledge, you first need to learn what your audience already knows. In that sense, for me, teaching is a dialogue.” That is why each session of his training is somewhat different, and although at the beginning of the lecture he has some sort of plan, this often changes and gets adapted to those who are learning. The same happened in Kaunas.

Agata adds that it is crucial for the teacher to be able to communicate and be honest and also have experience. “I work with practitioners, this is what they have in common - some of them might also be academics, but these characteristics are not why they are here, or I work with them. I work with them because they have all been there and done that.” However, she doesn’t call herself a teacher, “I cannot teach people because I am no a teacher. But I can share what I know, and I also learn from the people.”

Paul is convinced that today’s university is a place where it is worthwhile to acquire a profession, a speciality, and not just “find oneself.”

He believes that, in high school, the most important things should be music, fine art or theatre because at that time you’re learning how to be human and creative, and not just another cog in a machine. Paul is even trying to talk out his son from the three-year marketing studies, “In my opinion, it’s too abstract for today.”

Also, in Cambridge, Paul teaches teachers how… to teach. He strives for the studies to be connected to the real world. His key belief related to the topic is that you must start a lesson from what your audience understands and not from what you

know. It is also important to know when to stop. For example, bridge engineering, “I have to teach you the fundamentals of how a bridge actually stays up - I can’t just say, go ahead and build one! As soon as you understand the physics, however, I need to stop and say: “What do you think a bridge can be or look like?

What will be its purpose?”

And lastly - something to get inspired by. The example of our guest shows that you don’t really have to be a professor if you want to work in Cambridge, “You must be an expert in your field.” And do you know who was the greatest thinker in Cambridge but also the worst teacher ever in this legendary institution?

Isaac Newton. His ideas were so advanced and so abstract that he was simply unable to explain them.

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Interestingly, Paul, who shares the secrets of entrepreneurship with Cambridge students, thinks that the subject is impossible to teach thoroughly, because entrepreneurship is an ability to think freely, to swim against the current and create trends instead of following them. How can you learn all that in the class? He shares his insights all over the world. For example, in Argentina, he had joined a lobbyist group that aimed at helping young businesses to avoid falling into the bureaucratic trap.

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The image of a student city in Kaunas is reflected primarily through the thousands of young people who are rushing to auditoriums every day. But most don‘t remember the fact that universities have had a significant impact on the city‘s urban fabric. Kaunas has three university campuses, and we can even find a fourth one in the memories of the oldest residents. Unfortunately, it had only reached a rudimentary stage.

Usually, a university campus is a separate student republic will all the necessary study infrastructure. In many languages, these blocks have a much simpler name - campus. In Latin, this word meant a simple field. So, this time we talk about Lithuanian campuses.

The campuses of Kaunas Paulius Tautvydas Laurinaitis

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The dormitories of Lithuanian Agricultural Academy, 1964. Picture by Stanislovas LukoĹĄius.

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KTU campus in the 1970s. From the publication “Kauno politechnikos institutas”.

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The main university in the country, founded in 1922, and later given the name of Vytautas Magnus, had many issues with premises - newly established faculties and departments had often nestled in small unfitted rooms. Thus, the talk about creating a university campus had started relatively early. It was also mentioned in the famous P. M. Frandsen‘s city planning project in 1923. Country‘s higher education centre was supposed to be established in Žaliakalnis, in the current neighbourhood of Perkūno alėja, but later the location changed and the new plan was to build it on a different hill - on

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the plot gifted by Jonas Vailokaitis in Linksmakalnis.

You can find remaining sketches of the block‘s projects with the planned construction of the faculty chambers, student quarters and the section for professors‘ villas. And yet, such ambitions were too costly for a young state. And it took almost eight years to build the chambers of physics and chemistry faculties (the only ones that were finished).

Among other things, the vicinage of the main airport of the country at the time proved to be unfavourable to this idea. And when the only

Veterinary Academy, 1956. Picture by Stanislovas Lukošius. Part of KTU ASI archive.

building that stood there was gone after World War Two, and a portion of the academic potential started leaving Kaunas, the idea was not further developed. However, the academic life remained on the Aleksotas hills - now it‘s where VMU Music Academy is located.

A way more successful project was Veterinary Academy (currently part of LSMU) complex. This educational institution was one of the main academic priorities for the agriculture-oriented state at the time.

To further develop the livestock farming, it was urgent to develop veterinary science: in 1932 there was one specialist for five small rural districts. In the early 1930s, the construction of a modern complex started in the outskirts of Vilijampolė. It was being slowly expanded the complex included the educational veterinary clinic and a facility for autopsies. Besides, it continued to develop during the Soviet period

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The main building and the mechanisation faculty of Lithuanian Agricultural Academy, 1964.

Picture by Stanislovas Lukošius.

and does so to this day. It‘s the only academic campus set up in the interwar period that remained to this day. The complex with a red tilling roof which appeared in Vilijampolė that was full of small wooden houses was considered as one of the poorest neighbourhoods in the city - then

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became a sort of a new centre in this part of the city that was thought of as the beginning of Slabada history.

During the World War Two, Dotnuva area suffered a disaster. A large part of the former complex of Lithuanian Agricultural Academy was destroyed.

Vilnius, a new campus for future agricultural specialists emerged in Kaunas (now Aleksandras Stulginskis University). Kaunas architects provided the complex with the forms typical of interwar modernism. As the architect of the central chambers Liucijus Dringelis remembers, the designing process included some misunderstandings. During the construction, the socle part of the building which was included in the design had disappeared, and it slightly distorted the building‘s composition. The town became a strange symbol of socialist realism which successfully adhered to Lithuanian architecture.

It had been founded there because of its central location. Yet, the hardship of one region was an opportunity for Kaunas to maintain a part of its academic potential. When the Soviet authority was destroying the former Vytautas Magnus University and transferring the faculties to

Kaunas Polytechnic Institute campus (now KTU) marked a new stage in Lithuanian modernist architecture.

It was designed by Vytautas Dičius who was responsible not only for more than one exciting project of the time in Kaunas but also for urging architects of the older generation to go work in Kaunas after the faculty of architecture was moved away from Kaunas (see the April issue of Kaunas Full of Culture). Then, faculty after faculty, a whole complex for technological sciences started emerging in the 60s - 70s in the territory that was at the outskirts of the city at the time. Interestingly, according to the initial idea, the campus was supposed to expand to the other side of K. Baršauskas Street, but later it was decided to stay more compact. The complex complimented the former Research Laboratory of the Ministry of National Defense, allocated for academic purposes - the most functionalist building of the interwar period which eventually became a sort of gateway to the student campus.

That‘s how two epochs of Lithuanian modernism came close to each other and supplemented each other at the same time.

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Calendar Theatre Friday, 11 02, 6 pm

Musical “Džekilas ir Haidas” [“Jekyll and Hyde”]

The play written by Birutė Kapustinskaitė (directed by Paulius Markevičius) carries on the ideas from Kahlil Gibran’s trilogy of “The Prophet’s Garden”, “The Prophet” and the unfinished “The Death of the Prophet”. The story created for the performance is of a community that has blind faith in their leader. They are waiting for the Prophet’s appearance; however, when faced with unexpected events, they lose their bearings and are not able to communicate among themselves anymore.

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Kaunas State Musical Theatre, Laisvės al. 91

“Jekyll and Hyde” is a musical horror-drama loosely based on the novella “Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde”

by Robert Louis Stevenson. The Kaunas version is directed by Viktorija Streiča.

Saturday, 11 03, 7 pm

Performance “Vietiniai” [“The Locals”]

National Kaunas Drama Theatre, Laisvės al. 71

Pet-friendly places

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Sunday, 11 11, 11 am

Dance performance for kids “Spalvoti žaidimai” [“Colourful games”] Kaunas City Chamber Theatre, Kęstučio g. 74A

By playing games, children get to know themselves and the surrounding world, explore and learn: to sit and crawl, climb and jump, grasp and drop, catch and kick, smile and frown, share and make friends, think and enjoy. The performance is exceptional for its interactive form and content.

November Friday, 11 16, 7 pm

Premiere.

Dance performance “Pareiškiu – Brandir” [“Declare – Brandir”]

“BLC Kaunas” business centre, K.Donelaičio g. 62

Based on a play “Chelsea Win” by an Estonian writer Tim Janson and directed by Agnė Dilytė, the new performance is about a toxic relationship and inability to make a decision. The three main characters are modest and poor, and they’re waiting for a miracle. A situation that can be described as death dancing in a closed space. In Lithuanian.

Wednesday, 11 21, 6 pm

The dance performance choreographed by famous French contemporary dance choreographer Alban Richard together with French and Lithuanian dancers is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Restoration of the Lithuanian State.

Performance “Nuostabūs dalykai” [“Amazing things”]

National Kaunas Drama Theatre, Laisvės al. 71

Tuesday, 11 20, 6 pm

Premiere. Performance “Nacionalinės daržovės” [“National Vegetables”] Kaunas City Chamber Theatre, Kęstučio g. 74A

Martynas Nedzinskas goes solo in this one, inviting you to take a look at the challenges in life from another angle.

Directed by Kirilas Glušajevas. In Lithuanian.

More events pilnas.kaunas.lt

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Calendar Thursday, 11 29, 6 pm

Premiere. Performance “Mari Kardona” [“Marie Cardona”]

It’s said that although a relatively minor character in Camus’s novel L’étranger, Marie Cardona, the protagonist Meursault’s lover, was the author’s favourite creation. It’s also she who interests Eleanor Baker, the playwright, and Agnius Jankevičius, the director. In Lithuanian.

Saturday, 11 03, 6 pm

Live: Alina Orlova

“Žalgirio” arena (amphitheatre), Karaliaus Mindaugo pr. 50 The music of Lithuanian singer-songwriter Alina Orlova was discovered simultaneously in her home country and abroad. Her fourth album “Daybreak” is full of poems by Daniil Charms and Tennessee Williams, as well as her own lyrics.

Friday, 11 30, 7 pm

Premiere. Performance “Hamletmachine” POST gallery Laisvės al. 51

Sunday, 11 04, 1 pm

Religious music concert Church of St. Francis Xavier, Rotušės a. 8

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Kaunas City Chamber Theatre, Kęstučio g. 74A

Music

Based on a play by Heiner Müller, “Hamletmachine“ is directed by Artūras Areima, the enfant terrible of the Lithuanian theatre world.

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De Profundis, a Kaunas-based religious music ensemble, invited many talented musicians for the Sunday afternoon event. Expect music by J. S. Bach, G. F. Händel, F. Schubert, V. Bellini, G. Puccini, P. Mascagni and G. Fauré.

November Friday, 11 09, 5 pm

Festival “Iš arti”: “Urban flora” and “Nuo Baltijos” [From The Baltics] Kaunas State Philharmonic, L. Sapiegos g. 5

The opening of the international contemporary music festival will include an exhibition of a piece by Lukas Šiupšinskas. Nine concrete vases represent the micro districts of Kaunas and are accompanied by the music of Antanas Kučinskas. Once inside the main hall, you’ll hear the music of Tim Steiner, Zachary Egan, Pēter Plakidis, Žibuoklė Martinaitytė, Mārtiņš Viļums, Linas Rimša and Juozas Gruodis, performed by Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra and Kaunas State Choir.

Friday, 11 09, 8 pm

Live: Junior a “Sandėlis”, Muziejaus g. 8

Junior a sounds as good in Lithuania as he sounds in Berlin, and that’s where his autumn tour will take him, so hurry up and see the artist before he gets too famous.

Friday, 11 09, 9 pm

Live: Domantas Razauskas and “Vos Vos” “PuntoJazz” attic, Kęstučio g. 6

For more than 15 years, Razauskas has been known as a sung poetry artist, but the truth is the genre of his music cannot be expressed in a couple of words. Right now he’s a rock musician with his very own live band.

Saturday, 11 10, 5 pm

Festival “Iš arti”: “Polifonija ir ekscentriškumas” [Polyphonic and eccentricity]

Kaunas State Philharmonic (small hall), L. Sapiegos g. 5 Block4, a flute quartet from the UK, will perform music from various époques - expect the sounds of Nicolas Payen, Chiel Meijering, Matthew Olyver, Johann Sebastian Bach, Ramūno Motiekaičio, Alex Nikiporenko, Michiel Mensingh, Antonio de Cabezón, Wojtek Blecharz, Thomas Simpson, Kazimierz Serocki, Amber Priestley, Dick Koomans.

More events pilnas.kaunas.lt

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Calendar Saturday, 11 10, 7 pm

“In’Feast” fundraiser Club “Lemmy”, Girstupio g. 1

Trio Khaldei (Belgium) will perform Debussy’s Cello Sonata and Violin Sonata, as well as music by composers who were born some 100 years later than the French impressionist.

Thursday, 11 15, 6 pm

“In’Feast” is an indoor grind/hardcore music festival in Vilnius; its crew is making new friends by touring Lithuania. They’re bringing Infestation (slamming brutal death), Tureto sindromas (crack rocksteady), Wifebeater (sludge) and even more artists.

Kaunas State Philharmonic (small hall), L. Sapiegos g. 5

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Festival “Iš arti”: “Kamerinės muzikos vitrina” [The window of chamber music]

Sunday, 11 11, 13:00

Festival “Iš arti”: “Rožinis” [Rosary]

St. Michael the Archangel Church, Nepriklausomybės a. 14 “Rosary”, a new piece by Vidmantas Bartulis, will be performed by Kaunas vocal ensemble Acusto and the consort of Kaunas brass orchestra Ąžuolynas.

Tuesday, 11 13, 6 pm

Festival “Iš arti”: “Debussy ir jo spektrinis palikimas” [Debussy and his spectral legacy] Kaunas State Philharmonic (small hall), L. Sapiegos g. 5

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Kugoni Trio (Belgium) will perform music by Ward De Vleeschhouwer, Pieter Schuermans, Mathias Coppens and Wilfried Westerlinck. The international Trio Agora have prepared a programme based on interpretations of Lithuanian folk music.

Friday, 11 16, 6 pm

Festival “Iš arti”: “Džiazas, mišios ir gitaros” [Jazz, Mass and Guitars] Kaunas State Philharmonic, L. Sapiegos g. 5

November The final night of the festival will be filled with music by some of Lithuania’s most excellent contemporary names, including Jievaras Jasinskis, Laimis Vilkončius, Antanas Jasenka and Zita Bružaitė, performed by State Choir “Vilnius”, Kaunas Big Band and Baltic Guitar Quartet.

Friday, 11 16, 10 pm

Live: Mesijus “Džem’Pub”, Laisvės al. 59

Just a few years left until we can officially include the band in the list of Lithuania’s all-time classics.

Looking forward to hearing the duo’s new album and loving its cover by a Lithuanian master in his own genre, Stasys Eidrigevičius.

Wednesday, 11 21, 7 pm

“Improdimensija”: “Laivo Troupe” The most urban among electronic music artists and the most avant-garde among rappers, Mesijus is ready for the next chapter of his CV. The concert will be the chance to hear some of his early works, too.

Sunday, 11 18, 8 pm

Live: Golden Parazyth

“Žalgirio” arena (amphitheatre), Karaliaus Mindaugo pr. 50

“Jazz Academy”, Baltų pr. 34

We’ve already visited the brand new jazz academy and wrote all about it in this very issue. “Improdimensija” is a series of nights dedicated to all things impro. This time the stage will be occupied by Kristupas Gikas (flute), Kazimieras Jušinskas (sax), Dominykas Norkūnas (guitar), Simonas Kaupinis (tuba), Domantas Razmus (drums).

A discussion will be held after the concert.

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Calendar Thursday, 11 22, 6 pm

Concert “75 minutės Romualdui Grabštui” [75 minutes for Romualdas Grabštas]

Romualdas Grabštas founded the first professional jazz orchestra, the Kaunas Big Band in 1991. He would have turned 75 this year. Maestro’s favourite melodies will be performed by the big band itself and a bunch of soloists, including his granddaughter Marija Grabštaitė.

Cinema Wednesday, 11 07, 6 pm

Gastronomy Week: “Finding Gastón” [“Buscando a Gastón”]

Kaunas cinema centre “Romuva”, Kęstučio g. 62

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Kaunas State Philharmonic, L. Sapiegos g. 5

his music is played by Andrew Weatherall. He also has a radio show on the Bristol-based radio Noods.

Friday, 11 23, 11 pm

Party “Draugystė: Bassiani” Club “Lizdas”, Nepriklausomybės a. 12

Bassiani is by far the best known electronic music club in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. Earlier this year, events in the club led to peaceful protests in front of the country’s parliament, and the latter - to softening some of the laws in the country. Zitto and Kancheli, the resident DJs of Bassiani, are coming over to Lizdas - come say hi.

There are many great chefs around the world. Only one is considered to be a National hero. Meet chef Gastón Acurio and follow him in a journey to find out the stories, the inspirations and the dreams behind the man that has taken his cuisine outside the kitchen in a mission to change Peru with food.

Friday, 11 30, 8 pm

An evening with Urexboyfriend Bar “Godo”, Laisvės al. 89

The Vilnius-based producer is only 19 years old but his CV is already quite impressive and includes the fact that

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Thursday, 11 08, 6 pm

Gastronomy Week: “Michelin Stars: Tales from the Kitchen”

Kaunas cinema centre “Romuva”, Kęstučio g. 62

November three Roca brothers in their trip across Turkey. Its describes their process of learning about one of the most unknown , powerful and ancient cuisines of the world.

Sunday, 11 11, 6:30 pm

Movie night Bar “Godo”, Laisvės al. 89

At a moment in time, when humanity is obsessed with food - photographing every dish, worshipping cooks and flaunting trophy meals on social media, this documentary goes under the surface and offers an in-depth, honest and relevant view into the world and every day of Michelin chefs and restaurants.

Sunday, 11 10, 2 pm

Gastronomy Week: “The Turkish Way”

Ridas Beržauskas is a cameraman who shot a movie in Colombia. He’ll tell you all about the process - of course, the movie itself, “Gente Feliz”, is also on the menu.

Thursday, 11 15, 5 pm

“Burn The Stage: The Movie”

“Forum Cinemas”, Karaliaus Mindaugo pr. 49

Kaunas cinema centre “Romuva”, Kęstučio g. 62

The documentary follows the worldwide famous K-pop music group BTS, as they tour the world and share their experience along with their beloved band friends and fans.

Shaped in a travelogue, the film tells the journey and experiences of the

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Calendar 11 15 – 11 25

European Film Forum “Scanorama”

The forum has been taking place since 2003 is the largest and most prominent international cultural film event that represents all of Europe and has recently began to open up to other continents as well. Today, Scanorama carves a cultural cross-section of the whole Europe North to South and brings us the best, most valued films that have earned recognition around Europe.

Exhibitions 10 26 – 11 25

“Life in Finland”

M. Žilinskas Art Gallery, Nepriklausomybės a. 12

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“Forum Cinemas”, Karaliaus Mindaugo pr. 49

Girl bands and pop music permeate Japanese life. Tokyo Idols gets at the heart of a cultural phenomenon driven by an obsession with young female sexuality and internet popularity.

Meet Rio: a bona fide Tokyo Idol who takes us on her journey toward fame.

Now meet her “brothers”: a group of adult male superfans who devote their lives to following her-in the virtual world and in real life.

Thursday, 11 29, 7 pm

Kaunas IFF Film Club: “Tokyo Idols” Kaunas Culture Centre, Kęstučio g. 1

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The project is dedicated to the centenary of Finnish independence and offers a great opportunity to discover in an intriguing and creative manner what Finns themselves think about Finland and Finnishness. In the exhibition, each year of independence is represented by one object with an everyday, innovative or humorous mood. As a result, a unique collection of 100 objects has been made, showing a dynamic, successful and creative path of national development on

November which the Finns have travelled up to the present.

Sports

10 26 – 12 02

Friday, 11 16, 8 pm

Kaunas Picture Gallery, K. Donelaičio g. 16

“Žalgirio” arena, Karaliaus Mindaugo pr. 50

Evaldas Pauza. “Su meile” [“Transmitting Love”]

Pauza stands out in the context of Lithuanian contemporary sculpture, which abounds in the abstract, associative language. In his work, the artist strives for a conceptual content, placing it in a realistic form of sculpture. The artist’s manner discloses his mastery and attention to every detail, but the choice of realistic depiction is not formal or self-aimed. It is the reality of Pauza’s creation that helps to spread the author’s intentions and ideas, both playful and sarcastic.

Inspired by the interwar history and the mode of life this exhibition is dedicated to the centenary of the Independence of Lithuania and presents the works from the past few years.

10 30 – 11 23

Painting exhibition “307”

Euroleague: Žalgiris – Barcelona

With Derrick Walton Jr. on board, Žalgiris looks just great and is showing more and more power in the Euroleague world. Let’s meet Barcelona, shall we?

Saturday, 12 01, 6 pm

National Ice Hockey League: Kaunas Hockey – Geležinis Vilkas Kaunas Ice Arena “Baltų ainiai”, Aušros g. 42C

Kaunas Culture Centre, Vytauto pr. 79

“Vaivorykštė” [Rainbow] is an amateur painting studio established back in 1946. Dozens, if not hundreds of Kaunasians have trained their brushes there, and it’s time to take a look at the studio’s legacy.

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We haven’t had any problems so far with the team from the capital; let’s hope our team continues that way.

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Calendar Other events Wednesday, 11 07, 6 pm

Festival of Indian Classical Arts “SurSadhana” Kaunas Cultural Centre, Vytauto pr. 79

To put it simply, it’s all about flora and fauna that glow. You wouldn’t believe how active the enthusiast community is!

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The Galaunės House, Vydūno al. 2

For the tenth year in a row, the festival brings together some of the most professional performers of Indian classical dance and music.

The highlights of this year’s programme include a bharata natyam dance performance choreographed by Rajyashree Ramesh and a karnatik music performance by Manickam Yogeshwaran and Vidvan V. S. Giridhar.

Friday, 11 09, 4 pm

Seminar-workshop on bioluminescence and biofluorescence

VMU Kaunas Botanical Garden, Ž. E. Žilibero g. 6

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“Skin Scent” perfume home have already presented aromas called “Kaunas Art Deco” and “Kaunas Spring Scent”. But what does Kaunas in autumn smell like? Join the workshop to find out.

Saturday, 11 10, 1 pm

Street dance fights “Unleash Your Flava Vol. 5” Studio “Gamers”, Žemaičių g. 31

Some of the best dancers in Lithuania and the Baltics will visit Kaunas for this tournament. It’ll all start with 1vs1 battles and will lead to 5vs5 finals.

11 11 – 11 25

Excursion series “Ekskursas: Tarp kultūrų” Various locations

November contest some time! The best one this time will receive a ticket to the National slam championship in Vilnius.

Register at menas@kmn.lt.

Sunday, 11 18, 9 am

The Ekskursas team was the one that started the ongoing revival of guided tours in Kaunas. Attention to details is what keeps this series unique.

Check out their facebook page for this Autumn’s programme.

TEDxKaunas 2018: “Terra Incognita” VMU main hall, S. Daukanto g. 28

Tuesday, 11 13, 10 am

Poetry slam #16

Kaunas Artists’ House, V. Putvinskio g. 56

TEDxKaunas will bring together Experts - those creating, building, living and working in the yet undiscovered fields of knowledge - to be our hosts; and the enthusiastic, curious and open Explorers, seeking to fill their individual terra incognita maps with shapes, colours and ideas.

Wednesday, 11 28, 6 pm

Writing workshop “Modernism for the Future” For the sixteenth time in history, you’re welcome to showcase some of your best poetry that doesn’t have to be poetry. English-speaking slammers are more than welcome - an American artist was very close to winning the

Vytauto pr. 58

The workshop, part of the Kaunas 2022 programme dedicated to the revival of Kaunas modernist architecture, will take place in an authentic flat in the centre of Kaunas. In Lithuanian.

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“I’ve got a bunch of examples for those worrying they won’t find a job with their degree.

One of them is Carly Fiorina, the former CEO of Hewlett-Packard.

She majored in history at Stanford University”.

Algirdas A. Avižienis Honorary professor at UCLA and Vytautas Magnus University

KAUNAS FULL OF CULTURE Monthly newspaper about personalities and events in Kaunas (free of charge)

Laisvės alėja 59, third floor

Editorial office:

Authors: Andrejus Bykovas, Artūras Bulota, Austėja Banytė, Bernadeta Buzaitė, Dainius Ščiuka, Donatas Stankevičius, Edvinas Grin, Eglė Šertvyčūtė, Emilija Visockaitė, Gabrielė Gudaitytė, Gunars Bakšejevs, Kotryna Lingienė, Kęstutis Lingys, Paulius Tautvydas Laurinaitis, Tautė Bernotaitė, Teodoras Biliūnas.

Patrons:

KAUNO MIESTO SAVIVALDYBĖ

RUN 100010COPIES TIRAŽAS 000 EGZ.

ISSN 2424-4481 2424-4465

Leidžia: Publisher

2018 No. 2017 Nr.112 (39) (18)