In 2019, Lithuania’s cultural scene was catapulted into the international spotlight when the country won the prestigious Golden Lion for Best National Pavilion at the Venice Biennale of Contemporary Art. This historic win, awarded to the opera-performance “Sun & Sea” by Rugilė Barzdžiukaitė, Vaiva Grainytė, and Lina Lapelytė, marked the first time Lithuania received such a high honor in the arts. The Golden Lion has since served as a catalyst for increased global recognition and appreciation of Lithuanian culture.
A Global Journey: 27 Countries and 35 Cities
Since its triumph in Venice, “Sun & Sea” has embarked on a remarkable global tour, gracing stages across five continents, in 35 cities and 27 countries. From Sydney to Buenos Aires, Taipei to Los Angeles, the opera-performance has captivated audiences worldwide. Prestigious festivals of contemporary art, music, and theater have showcased this unique work, transforming museums, exhibition halls, theaters, and architecturally significant buildings into artificial beaches where the opera can be viewed from above.
This year, “The Sun and the Sea” celebrated its fifth anniversary at the Singapore International Arts Festival. Symbolically performed in Singapore, a city-state whose name means “city of the lion,” the opera welcomed summer at the Esplanade Theatre. The performance featured an international troupe, including local tenor Zachary Dominguez, singers from Singapore’s Lyric Opera Choir, and 117 Singaporean beach extras, creating a truly global celebration.
A Media Sensation: Lithuania in the Limelight
According to Marius Gurskas, Director of the Communications Department of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, ” Sun & Sea” has significantly enhanced Lithuania’s profile in the world’s most influential media channels. Since May 2019, the work has been mentioned around 3,000 times in various languages, with the peak attention occurring in 2019, shortly after winning the Venice Prize. Germany, Italy, the USA, and the UK have shown the most interest, with platforms like Artsy listing the artists among the most influential of 2019 and The Guardian highlighting the work as one of the top 20 art events and exhibitions of the year.
Italian Enthusiasm and Historic Performances
Laura Gabrielaitytė-Kazulėnienė, Cultural Attaché in Italy, notes the remarkable admiration the trio of artists received, especially given their young age—35 years old at the time of their victory. Italy’s cultural scene, typically dominated by older artists, was particularly impressed. “Sun & Sea” returned to Italy in June 2021, performed at Rome’s historic Teatro Argentina, where 20 tonnes of sand transformed the theater’s stalls into an opera beach.
The Golden Lion also revived interest in the artists’ earlier work, “Good Days!” This contemporary opera, created in 2013, was invited to Bologna in 2023 and is now being performed at the Venice Theatre Biennale, where the artists are also leading a masterclass.
US Recognition: From Vogue to The New Yorker
In autumn 2021, “Sun & Sea” toured the US for five weeks, drawing attention from top publications like Vogue, Vulture, and the Los Angeles Times. The New Yorker organized a photo shoot with the performers, and The New York Times hailed the opera as one of the greatest performance achievements of the past decade. With over 400 media mentions in that year alone, the opera significantly boosted Lithuania’s cultural visibility, outperforming mentions related to economics, governance, and tourism.
Gražina Michnevičiūtė, Cultural Attaché to the US, highlighted the lasting impression of the work: “It’s been three years since the tour, yet cultural professionals in the US still refer to Lithuania as the ‘Sun & Sea’ country.”
Scandinavian Success and Icelandic Admiration
Liana Ruokytė-Jonsson, Cultural Attaché for Sweden, Finland, and Denmark, recounts the enthusiastic reception of “Sun & Sea” in Scandinavia and Iceland. In Copenhagen, tickets sold out within days, and in Malmö, the performance drew 26,000 visitors in two weeks, generating significant media buzz. Iceland’s volcanic sands provided a unique backdrop, with none other than Björk attending the performance.
A European Tour and a Response to Global Events
In 2022, “Sun & Sea” toured ten European cities, garnering over 500 media mentions. The work’s relevance was further underscored when it adapted to contemporary events, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, by incorporating symbolic changes into the performance. Vida Gražienė, Attaché for Culture at the Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the EU, noted the positive reception in Belgium, where the opera was praised as a brilliant commentary on the climate crisis.
Over the past five years, “Sun & Sea” has not only showcased the talents of its creators but has also significantly elevated Lithuania’s cultural standing on the global stage. From prestigious awards and global tours to media acclaim and symbolic performances, this opera-performance has become a beacon of Lithuanian creativity and resilience, drawing the world’s attention to a nation rich in artistic innovation.