Sheezzanova
Having a boring lecture at university, I recognized that Indrė’s (Bass) band (SheeZzanova) has a professional live performance video on youtube. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the chance to see them live yet…
Archive for the Tag 'Lithuania'
Republic of Užupis
One week ago the European Union celebrated its 50th birthday: Everybody is talking about the 27 countries being members of it. But unfortunately not everyone knows about a state-in-a-state, which is part of the European Union as well: Not Bavaria, but Užupis.
Užupis, meaning behind the river (lt:Už upis), is a small part of Vilnius old town. Exactly 10 years ago the (mock) Republic of Užupis was proclaimed with a modern constitution, which entitles its citizens to have the right to:
§ 1: live by the river Vilnelė, while the river has the right to flow by everyone.
§ 3: die, but it’s not necessary.
§ 5: be unique.
§ 6: love.
§ 16: to be happy.
§ 17: to be unhappy.
§ 21: appreciate their unimportance.
The small area between the rivers is often compared to Montmartre in Paris, and they even have a some kind of community partnership.
The Užupis angel is probably the most famous monument in Užupis. It symbolizes the freedom of art in the republic.
There is a lovely tradition in Vilnius (and in many other countries, too): You place a padlock at bridges when you become a fresh couple, to ensure that your interpersonal connection is safe and eternal.
“Nes man atrodo aš tave įsikliopinau…” meaning “Because it seems to me that I fell in love with you.”
So, all in a nutshell, in the words of John F. Kenndy:
Two thousand years ago, the proudest boast was “civis Romanus sum.” Today in the world of freedom, the proudest boast is “Ich bin ein Berliner.”
Nowadays (more than 40 years after his speech) the proudest boast is “Aš esu Užupio biurgeris.”
