cVilnius University (VU) Culture Centre together with the international project "CAMINO: Twenty years of cultural enrichment in reunified Europe" invites you to celebrate Europe Day at VU! The program of May 9th is full of events dedicated to commemorating and reviewing the two decades of Lithuania's membership in the European Union (EU), reflecting on the role of current youth and students in a free Europe, and promoting cultural cooperation between European universities. All events are free.
The program of the European Day will start with the "Ode to Joy" flashmob of the "CAMINO" project. This gathering is a moment of unity, when the youth of the seven countries that joined the European Union in 2004, the partners of this project, will come together with the help of the Internet in a spectacle that crosses borders and connects cultures. Using the universal language of music and dance, participants from each nation will demonstrate unique interpretations of the European anthem "Ode to Joy". This spectacle will not only highlight the unique taste and creativity of each country, but will also be an important reminder of the common European values and ties that bind us.
The rush will start at 1:30 p.m. on Pilies Street, at the entrance to the VU Atributika store.
The day's program will be continued by the opening of the international student photo exhibition "Inspired by Europe". This exhibition reveals the unique perspective of young people on the identity, lifestyle, values, and hopes of modern Europe. The exhibition includes 11 works from each country that joined Europe in 2004 and Ukraine.
This exhibition has already been opened in the European Parliament in Brussels on April 15th. "CAMINO" project representative in Lithuania, VU Culture Centre project manager Sonata Adomaitienė says: "The ten countries' that joined the EU in 2004 students, commemorating the 20th anniversary of membership, talk about today's Europe seen with their eyes and perceived by their thoughts, about the identity, lifestyle and diversity of the nations in its family. Students share their hopes and dreams with us in their captured moments - without stereotypes or prejudices, they reveal what Europe is for them - freedom, equality, freedom of movement, cultural diversity, national heritage and many other things that create a colorful kaleidoscope that we call the European dream .”
The opening of the exhibition will take place in the gallery of the Rectorate's corridor of the VU central building (Universiteto St. 3) at 4:30 p.m.
The main highlight of the European Day is the premiere of the VU Kinetic Theater dance performance "Hommo in Maxima" (directed by Andrius Pulkauninkas). The performance is intended to celebrate Lithuania's 20 years of membership in the EU in a theatrical form and to review the development of Lithuanian society during these two decades. "Hommo in Maxima" is an experiment that aims to show how the perception of another's love, attachment, security and the meaning of life changed after Lithuania became a full-fledged member of the EU family.
The premiere starts at 6:00 p.m.,at VU Theater Hall, University St. 3.
The Europe Day celebration at VU is implemented under the EU-funded project "CAMINO: Twenty years of cultural enrichment in reunified Europe". The CAMINO project connects higher education institutions in Eastern and Central Europe, it aims to commemorate the accession of EU countries in 2004, increase knowledge and understanding of the EU, its roots, purpose, diversity, achievements, strengthen the importance of common understanding and tolerance for better European integration. The organizers and partners of the CAMINO project will develop a network of European universities, university cultural centers, student unions and other similar units to support the participation of university students and staff in non-formal arts and culture education programs.
The full Europe Day program can be found here.
The CAMINO project is financed by the EU.
In Lithuania, the project is coordinated by the Culture Center of VU.