New
perspectives

Lithuanian creators are boldly redefining the global arts landscape with their innovative and unconventional approaches. Artists from Lithuania are at the forefront, sparking vital discussions on crucial issues through their groundbreaking work in theatre, dance, and visual arts.

A shining example of this is the opera performance Sun & Sea (Marina) by Lina Lapelytė, Vaiva Grainytė, and Rugilė Barzdžiukaitė, which won the prestigious Golden Lion at the 2019 Venice Biennale. This powerful work, addressing the urgent issue of climate change, has stirred significant debate and acclaim worldwide. Over the past four years, Sun & Sea has enchanted audiences across 33 cities in 26 countries, gracing the stages of renowned institutions from the Brooklyn Academy of Music to the Sydney Festival and beyond. Its recognition by The Guardian as one of the top 20 art events of the year and its inclusion in Artsy’s list of influential artists underscore its global impact.

The momentum continued at the 2024 Locarno International Film Festival, where Lithuania emerged as the most-awarded country. Saulė Bliuvaitė’s debut feature Akiplėša (Toxic) won the coveted Golden Leopard and Best Debut awards, while Laurynas Bareiša’s Sesės (Drowning Dry) took home Best Director and Best Actor honors. This follows Bareiša’s previous success with Piligrimai (Pilgrims), which won the Orizzonti Award for Best Film at the Venice International Film Festival in 2021.

In the realm of music, composer Egidija Medeikšaitė is captivating audiences with her unique method of transforming textile patterns into sound. Her innovative approach has earned her two Gold Global Music Awards for her compositions Amithaba and Malakosha, inviting listeners into a world where music and textile art intertwine in surprising and harmonious ways.

These achievements, along with the acclaimed theatrical works of director Oskaras Koršunovas, who has staged performances from Rome to Taipei, highlight the remarkable creativity and talent emerging from Lithuania. Lithuanian art is not only making waves but also inspiring audiences worldwide with its profound impact and visionary spirit.

Champions of high-quality art

Culture is a cornerstone of Lithuanian society, with a vibrant array of annual events that captivate and engage the public. The Vilnius International Film Festival Kino Pavasaris, attracting over 120,000 attendees each year, and the Vilnius Book Fair, the largest in the Baltic States with over 70,000 visitors, underscore the nation’s deep appreciation for the arts. Lithuanians, accustomed to a high standard of cultural events, concerts, and exhibitions, continuously expect creators to push the boundaries of excellence.

The MO Museum, which opened in 2018, exemplifies this cultural enthusiasm. Designed by renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, the museum showcases an extensive collection of Lithuanian art and has received an exceptional local response, setting new attendance records. In 2021, the MO Museum’s commitment to accessibility and warmth earned it the Portimão Museum Prize for the most welcoming museum in Europe, further establishing its role as a cultural beacon in Lithuania.

In a significant cultural exchange, Lithuania’s three-month season in France will commence on September 13 with the historic exhibition “Lithuanian Art from the 1960s to the Present: A Historical Donation” at the Pompidou Center and MO Museum. This exhibition will present French and global audiences with a selection of nationally significant works in painting, graphic arts, installation, and video art by Lithuanian artists spanning generations.

The exhibition will feature masterpieces from the Lithuanian art “golden fund,” donated by Danguolė and Viktoras Butkus, founders of the MO Museum, from their private collection. This marks a historic moment as artworks from Lithuanian artists who created during the Soviet occupation are integrated into one of the world’s most prestigious modern art institutions.

Lithuanian female creators bring their own twist to classical music

Lithuanian female composers and performers have a talent for making an impression on the international music stage. Three artists in particular have received substantial recognition globally for their originality and creativity. These are the opera singer Asmik Grigorian, conductor Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, and composer Žibuoklė Martinaitytė.

Asmik Grigorian is a Lithuanian opera singer, founding member of the Vilnius City Opera and two-time recipient of the Golden Cross of the Stage, the highest theatre award in Lithuania. Grigorian was recognized at the International Opera Awards in 2016 as the best young female singer, and in 2019 as the female opera singer of the year. That same year, the Austrian Music Theatre Awards honoured her for best leading role for her performance in the opera Salome at the Salzburg Festival. She continues her solo career on prestigious world stages–in Vienna, Paris, and Madrid.

Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla is a conductor and music director of the Salzburg State Theatre and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. In 2019, the classical music portal Classic FM named her the world’s best female conductor. She is also a recipient of the Lithuanian National Prize for Culture and Arts. Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla is acclaimed for her musicality and ability to unlock the hidden depths of musical works.

Žibuoklė Martinaitytė is a New York-based Lithuanian composer. In 2020, she was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship. With the album In Search of Lost Beauty… she received two gold medals at the Global Music Awards as the best composer and for the best album. She is also a recipient of the Lithuanian National Prize for Culture and Arts.

The Lithuanian Season in France: “The Other Same“

deepens the dialogue between two nations steeped in history, culture, and innovation. From September 12 to December 12, 2024, France is hosting  over 200 dynamic events, providing an immersive journey into Lithuanian culture and fostering dialogue on global perspectives.

Organized around the theme “The Other Same“ (Se voir en l’autre), the Season encourages audiences to explore common ground and foster mutual understanding through a variety of projects and activities across France.

With the participation of over 500 esteemed artists, performers, and cultural luminaries, alongside the establishment of more than 120 bilateral partnerships, the Lithuanian Season in France embodies the power of co-creation and collaboration.

According to Dr. Virginija Vitkienė, Commissioner of the Season, “Lithuanian creators captivate and intrigue the French with their value-driven approach. Many of the projects related to our country’s history offer viewers a unique opportunity to gain a fresh understanding of the geopolitical situation in our region.“Through the exploration of three core themes – Global Neighbourhood, Empowered Identities, and Unleashed Imagination – the Lithuanian Season encourages audiences to ponder global questions and challenge their perceptions.

From the esteemed halls of Sorbonne University to the avant-garde spaces of Palais de Tokyo and Centre Pompidou, and from the captivating venues of Théâtre de la Ville to the artistic wonders of Carre d’Art museum in Nîmes and Grand Théâtre Aix-en-Provence, our esteemed partners eagerly await to host these cultural gems, attracting audiences from far and wide.

Lithuanian artists, renowned for their unconventional ideas and forms of expression, intrigue and inspire the French audience with captivating narratives and thought-provoking perspectives, offering a fresh lens through which to explore the complexities of our shared world. Projects rooted in our country’s rich history provide audiences with a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of the geopolitical landscape of our region.