Liubavas Manor Mill Being Transformed into a Museum

The Public Institution Europos Parkas is executing the Restoration of Liubavas Manor mill, its Adaptation to Cultural and Public Needs, and is half-completed. The project is supported by a grant from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA Financial Mechanism and co-financed by the Republic of Lithuania.

The main goal of the project is to restore the mill for cultural purposes and to create a museum inside for the public. The museum will demonstrate the usage of mill equipment, and will share the history of Liubavas Manor. Much of the restoration has been completed, furniture is being constructed, the exposition and a web-site are being created.

Liubavas Manor Mill Museum will open its doors to visitors in 2011.

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The exhibition “Europos Parkas: From a Dream to the Present”

An unusual exhibition in Europos Parkas

Europos Parkas invites visitors of the museum to come to see an unusual exhibition. Why is it unusual? It is because the stands of the exposition are situated not in a hall but right in the open air. The exhibition “Europos Parkas: From a Dream to the Present” presents the main principles of creation of Europos Parkas or, as the creator of the museum Gintaras Karosas says, it is a collection of answers to frequently asked questions.

The principle of the open air exhibition corresponds to the general idea of the open air museum: here grass means the floor, trees become walls of the exposition halls, and the sky serves as the ceiling. The exhibition reveals the way from the concept of the museum to its implementation, it brings the spectator emotionally and intellectually closer to the exhibited works of art.

There are twenty pages of a huge book with text and photographs, each designed for a certain topic. “Art”, Black Sheep”, “Friendly architecture”, “People”, “The Miracle”. The project is partly financed by Lithuanian Cultural Fund.

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On 9 November 2009 a fragment of the Berlin Wall was mounted and opened in Europos Parkas.

A fragment of the Berlin Wall in Europos Parkas

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall the German Embassy together with the Goethe Institute in Lithuania gave the city of Vilnius a unique gift – a fragment of the Berlin Wall. On 9 November 2009 a fragment of the Berlin Wall was mounted and opened in Europos Parkas. The opening ceremony was attended by the German Ambassador in Lithuania Hans-Peter Annen, the Deputy Vilnius Mayor Vidmantas Martikonis, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania Audronius Ažubalis, representatives of the project organisers, press representatives and a large number of guests.

After regaining of Independence, Europos Parkas,demonstrates opening of Lithuania for European art and culture. Europos Parkas, being among the first ones to invite artists from all over the world to come to Lithuania, started “tearing down Berlin walls” in the field of culture and became a symbol of new thinking and a bridge between different cultures.

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Europos Parkas has started the project for revitalizing of Liubavas manor watermill

Public Institution Europos Parkas is implementing the project “Restoration of Liubavas Manor Watermill and its Adaptation to Cultural and Public Needs”. The project is supported by a grant from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA Financial Mechanism and co-financed by the Republic of Lithuania.

The project is dedicated to preservation of valuable cultural heritage object in the district of Vilnius. Its duration is 18 months. Main purpose of the project is restoration of a former Liubavas manor watermill and its adaptation to cultural and public needs. In order to preserve and reveal valuable properties of the object to the maximum extent, the mill will be used as a museum.

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The works by Gintaras Karosas were presented in Europos Parkas

On 25 June 2009 works created in 2001 – 2009 by the sculptor Gintaras Karosas, the founder of Europos Parkas, were presented in Europos Parkas.

The artist is creating exceptionally in the space of Europos Parkas. As Gintaras Karosas is also the author of the whole landscape of Europos Parkas occupying 55 ha, his works are firmly incorporated into the environment. Forming relations between sculptures and the landscape, for his works Karosas chooses minimalistic forms, foregoing details or, as he himself says, brushing unnecessary varnish off.

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A sculpture intended for the Millennium of Lithuania has been built in Europos Parkas

On 29 April 2009,  the opening of a new sculpture Conjuror created by one of the most prominent contemporary artists Magdalena Abakanowicz took place in Europos Parkas. This new work of art is created specially for the occasion of the Millennium of Lithuania and the event Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009. The author of the sculpture took part in the unveiling ceremony.

Prof. Magdalena Abakanowicz is one of the most prominent and influential artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. Mrs. Abakanowicz has organised over 100 personal exhibitions in the world, her works are included in the most important collections of museums all over the world.

This project is part of national program Vilnius – Cultural Capital of Europe 2009.

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Europos Parkas becomes more accessible

This autumn, Europos Parkas announces good news for schoolchildren and pensioners of Vilnius city. The museum started implementing the project Increasing Access to Europos Parkas and Development of Collection supported by Vilnius City Municipality. Under this Project, groups of schoolchildren of Vilnius City and pensioners residing in Vilnius will be able to visit Europos Parkas for free the whole year.

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Europos Parkas implemented the project supported by Fund for Project Development from EEA and the Norwegian Financial Mechanisms

Public Institution Europos Parkas successfully implemented the project Preparation of Investment and Technical Projects for the Restoration of Liubavas Manor Watermill and Its Adaptation to Cultural and Public Needs supported under EEA and Norwegian Financial Mechanisms. All specified objectives had been achieved.

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Lithuania’s national logo presented in Europos Parkas

On 21 August 2008, Lithuanian national logo designated to promote the country’s name and spread information about the country in the world, our peculiarities and distinctive features was presented in Europos Parkas. The conception based on which the Lithuanian national logo was created was grounded on the statement Lithuania is a brave country. Over 100 guests, i.e. Vytas Navickas, Minister of Economy of the Republic of Lithuania, managers of State Department of Tourism, Lithuanian Tourism Development Agency, and a lot of media representatives, participated in the presentation.

The Recognition of State Significance

Pursuant to Resolution No. 76 of 23 January 2008, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania accepted the activities of the museum of the Public Institution Europos Parkas as the project of state significance.

As the Government Press Service and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania emphasize in their press releases: „Europos Parkas museum is an outstanding object in Lithuania, integrating the naturally formed scenery and contemporary sculpture art, by thus creating the unique cultural landscape.

After accepting the museum activities of Europos Parkas as the cultural project significant to the state, the positive image of Lithuania will be shaped more effectively, the idea of the country in the geographical centre of Europe will be spread, and the accumulation of the cultural values as well as the formation of the cultural landscape will be further actively combined with the cooperation of the artists from different countries, provision of information about plastic arts to the public.“

Europos Parkas Featured in Lithuania Superbrands 2007

On 30 October 2007 at Vilnius University, Superbrands, an international independent arbiter on branding, launched Lithuania Superbrands 2007, a national branding book. It features Europos Parkas amongst the 28 brands that have been performing beyond others within the market, that are exceptional brands in their values and success stories as well as original presentation.

Vilnius University and Europos Parkas are the only non-business organisations that earned the status of Superbrand.

This status is recognised as a benchmark for brand success. In over 70 countries, a national Superbrands Council, which consists of the most high profile and experienced experts in the market and leaders from media channels, is tasked with compiling a Superbrands list.

For over a decade, the Superbrand rating process is run in order to identify brands as high achievers in building their image and value within the market. Of the Baltic States, Lithuania is the first country that published a national book of Superbrands.

Massimo Ghiotti (Italy). Tetra vis / Power of Four 

Ghiotti's Sculptures Returned to Europos Parkas

Having travelled around other European countries, in May 2007, sculptures by Massimo Ghiotti returned to Lithuania. Seven steel sculptures by the well-known Italian artist were displayed at the space of the open-air museum prepared specially for them. For his sculptures, Ghiotti uses the specific items of industrial constructions, often having the potential possibility of motion – springs, pistons, crane cutters. These connected items are not intended for motion, they embody the antique equilibrium, proportions, harmony. Here, the motion is pressed, framed, concentrated into the anticipated inner stress.

The exposition of the sculptures by M. Ghiotti in Europos Parkas includes the following creations: Tetra vis (Power of Four), Tetrachia (Divided Power), Rotante (Rotating Device), Onde (Wave Form), Vis (Power Source), Eraclitea (Hercules' Challenge) and Incursa (Running Gear).

Educational Tool Artist’s House is Available Online

Visitors of the website of Europos Parkas are invited to visit an interactive Artist’s House. It is an online version of the educational tool developed with participation of Europos Parkas within the framework of the international project DIDART.

Created under the umbrella of the project, six mobile Artist’s Houses have been travelling across the countries of project partners. One of the houses is Gintaras Karosas’s house. These educational tools allow an in-depth insight into the artist’s oeuvre; discovery of his works, biography, as well as his hobbies, dreams, childhood memories, favourite music, and the very process of creation.

The interactive Artist’s House is meant for schoolchildren, students, art teachers, art education professionals and everybody who loves art.

Europos Parkas Guide

In December 2006, Europos Parkas Guide was published. The guide presents sculptures, built in  the open-air museum during a period of more than fifteen years, their authors and brief description.

Gintaras Karosas, the author of Europos Parkas landscape, writes in the introduction of the book: “The guide does not explore all sculptures, environment art works, installations created during the period of time mentioned – considerably more of them had been created, however, not all projects are long-lasting – in the course of time, part of works created from short-lived materials have vanished.

Since the time touches upon works of art, photographs of some works will no longer correspond to the real picture, because their photographs were taken at the moment when they were put on exhibition. The landscape of Europos Parkas is still under formation and constant improvement which is why some works now appear in different areas of the park than those you have seen in photographs.

We wish you meaningful discoveries exploring the mysterious world of art!”

The publication was sponsored by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania and TOYOTA's centre Tokvila.

New Sculpture Gintare / Electricity

On 8 December 2006, Gintare / Electricity, a new work by Evaldas Pauza was unveiled in Europos Parkas. This sculpture is the winner of an international competition “Light, electricity, energy”. 46 artists from 18 countries across the world took part in the competition. Competitors based in very remote countries such as Argentina and Cuba also submitted their projects.

The project of Evaldas Pauza, a Lithuanian artist, was recognised as the winner of the international competition. The word “electricity” originated from Greek elektron (in Lithuanian gintaras, in English amber). A little girl Gintare like a scientist explores the phenomenon of electrifying. The sculpture was sponsored by Rytų skirstomieji tinklai.

The National Advancement Prize was awarded to Gintaras Karosas for establishing the open-air museum of the Europos Parkas

Gintaras Karosas - laureate of The National Advancement Prize

On May 28, 2006, Gintaras Karosas was pronounced the winner of the Cultural Advancement Prize. The National Advancement Prize was awarded to Gintaras Karosas for establishing the open-air museum of the Europos Parkas. During the award ceremony, sculptor Gintaras Karosas voiced thanks “to the people who would lend well-meant assistance and to those, who at least would not hinder during the entire years of developing the Europos Parkas.”

The young artist’s dream to create a museum of modern and contemporary art became a reality. Thanks to his talent, creative efforts and persistent work, Karosas managed to turn the desolate location near Vilnius into a centre of attraction by placing an emphasis not on heritage, but rather on the subject of art of this century. The personal creative initiative became a cultural phenomenon, which has remained unexplainable for many people ridden with stereotypical thinking. The idea of establishing a museum, a park is usually seen as the prerogative of the state. However, the idea of the Europos Parkas is being implemented by non-governmental organisations.

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Competition to develop a sculpture

The open-air art museum Europos Parkas is opening a competition in partnership with the electric networking and supply company Rytu Skirstomieji Tinklai to develop a sculpture. The theme: “Light, electricity, energy”. Participants of the competition are asked to submit sculpture project proposed for Europos Parkas (sketches, drawings or model  – or its photographs); a description of the submitted work; images (slides, photos, etc) of previous artworks; a short author's biography (CV) and list of exhibitions. The deadline is April 30th, 2006.

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Gintaras Karosas and Magdalena Abakanowicz

(the documentary Strolling through Europos Parkas)

Lithuanian national television created the documentary about Europos Parkas

Lithuanian National television created the documentary Strolling through Europos Parkas. Scriptwriter and director – Vidmantas Baciulis, cameraman – Vytas Plytnikas.

The film is sort of the mosaic of moods, arranged from different spectrums of the museum activities: both the daily activities and education as well as multicultural communication exist here.

Authors of the film, by refusing the didactics, summarize the route covered from the neglected, swampy forest to creation of the outstanding cultural object able to invite about 60,000 visitors per year.

The idea of the Europos Parkas Festival 2006 was presented in the international music industry fair MIDEM

In the 39th international music fair MIDEM 2005, which has taken place in Cannes (France) on January 23-27, in the joint stand of the Baltic countries Lithuania has for the first time presented its music industry. The new project Europos Parkas Festival has also been presented in the official stand of Lithuania.

The initiator and producer of the Europos Parkas Festival Odeta Abromaviciute sincerely thanks for all the people of the good will who have in every possible way have contributed to the presentation of the idea of the project in MIDEM and expresses a special gratitude to „Yanos“ (Netherlands), „Carlson Wagonlit Travel“, „Ermara“ Ltd., „Concept Events & Media“ Ltd., advertising agency „Aola“, „Arx Baltica“ Ltd., leisure and entertainment center „Belmontas“, cocktail bar „Iki Ausros“ and „Dora“ Ltd. More information on MIDEM 2005

Patricia Goodrich. Voices Underground

Europos Parkas meets this spring awaiting the bloom of the Voices Underground’s hillock.

The author of this earthwork created in Europos Parkas - American artist Patricia Goodrich.

Voices Underground plants the voices of forty-four artists from fifteen countries by sowing the seed of perennial wildflowers and burying bulbs over a three hundred foot site of stretched and spliced audiotapes. The recorded tapes include artists speaking about their artistic journeys, creative process and way of living in English and in their native languages. More information about Voices Underground created by Patricia Goodrich.

CATCH

THE WIND

Europos Parkas in partnership with the packaging company "PakMarkas" is opening a competition to develop a sculpture.

The theme of the sculpture: "Catch The Wind" The implemented sculpture is to be exhibited in Europos Parkas. The deadline for submitting the projects is April 15, 2004.

The participants of the competition have to submit: sculpture project proposed for Europos Parkas (sketches, drawings or photographs); a description of the submitted work; images (slides, photos, etc) of previous artworks; a short author's biography (CV) and a list of exhibitions. More information about the competition.

Europos Parkas project

BSR Museums Co-operation: Tourism and Education

is co-financed by the EU PHARE 2001

Co-operation Programme in the Baltic Sea Region

Europos Parkas project has been granted by EU PHARE 2001 Co-operation in the Baltic Sea Region Programme.

The aim of the project BSR Museums Co-operation: Tourism and Education is to establish a co-operative networking among museums that present modern and contemporary art within the Baltic Sea Region. A particular emphasis is made on education function of those museums and sharing the educational practice among them. Another issue that is addressed is promotion of these museums as cultural tourism attractions that provide both learning and fun experience.

The partners of the project are Louisiana Museum of Modern Art & Education Center Copenhagen (Denmark), The Wanås Foundation (Sweden), The Museum of New Art (Estonia), Foundation Abava Valley (Latvia) and Vilnius Art School for Children and Youth (Vilnius, Lithuania). More information about the project.

On November 29, 2003 Lithuania Post issued a postal stationery card "Europos Parkas"

Lithuania Post has issued a postal stationery card "Europos Parkas".

On November 29, 2003 Lithuania Post issued a postal stationery card "Europos Parkas". In Vilnius Main Post Office the new postal stationery card was cancelled with a first day cancellation on this day.

Postal stationery card is a post card with a printed stamp. The founder of the park, sculptor Gintaras Karosas has designed the card. The postal stationery card contains images of the Monument of the Centre of Europe. This sculpture indicates all capitals of Europe, information on the distances to them as measured from the centre of Europe. The unique stamp of the post card includes a logo of Europos Parkas.

Mobile sculptures by Mindaugas Tendziagolskis

Mobile sculptures in Europos Parkas

On July 31, 2003, the unique composition of movable sculptures, MOBILE GAMES was presented in Europos Parkas. It is an artwork made up of 5 separate sculptures. Each piece is a dynamic component of a larger work, specifically made for outdoor games. Both children and adults can enjoy the fun. These playful art objects are created so one can play alone, as a couple, or in a group.

The ancient origin of the very singular sculpture, MOBILE GAMES, is authentic to the Lithuanian culture. The creator of MOBILE GAMES is a young Lithuanian sculptor Mindaugas Tendziagolskis.

Don’t miss the opportunity to experience this remarkable artwork; an experience you can enjoy not just visually, but with your whole being.

You are cordially invited to join in the game. You are always welcome: come and play in Europos Parkas.

MOBILE GAMES VIDEO

Gintaras Karosas. The Place

The Place – a new landscape artwork by Gintaras Karosas – was presented to the public

On June 25, 2003, the new artwork The Place, by Gintaras Karosas, was presented to the public.

The artist using eight-meter-high steel poles, an array of boulders, and a pond assembled a huge artistic landscape. Using special technology, steel poles angled in a square were evenly covered with bright orange rust.

The Place was presented and introduced to the public by Gintaras Karosas, the artist and founder of the museum. The event which included a modern dance performance, was covered by art critic Laima Kreivyte. The sponsors, members and friends of Europos Parkas participated in the happening.

The Place is the fifth work by Gintaras Karosas created for Europos Parkas. The four other artworks are: Symbol of Europos Parkas, Monument of the Center of Europe, For Your Convenience and a sculpture made up of more than 3 000 TV sets called, LNK Infotree.

DeWitt Godfrey. Europe Sculpture

Artūras Raila. White

Europos Parkas invites to see the newest works built at the park this season.

Sculptor from the United States DeWitt Godfrey (called by journalists a “Steel Man”) created the largest object in Europos Parkas this year. In order to construct the sculpture the artist used more than 3,5 tones of steel squares and over 2000 extraordinary firm bolts. The flexible metal structure was constructed of thousands rectangular elements. Due to its unusual design the shape of the sculpture is self-pressed by inner powers. It seems like the author wanted to deny the myth of metal strength. Despite its deceptive form the sculpture is firm indeed.

Visiting artist Akihiko Kuwayama created a sculpture named Snake in Europos Parkas. The young sculptor was heating and bending the metal wire for several weeks. Gradually the wire took a shape of a snake.
 

VIDEO taken by Richard Kambak

Akihiko Kuwayama is painting the playful Snake. Soon it will sneak into the meadow of the park.
 

Three new sculptures of Lithuanian authors enriched Europos Parkas collection this year: Threshold 1838 by Egle Kuckaite Dreamy Pillow by Mija Dzeinara Ubartas and White by Arturas Raila.

President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus visited Europos Parkas during the celebration of the day of Europe

On the 9th of May, 2002 a lot of people visited Europos Parkas to celebrate the day of Europe.

At the park guests met with President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus, the head of European Commission delegation in Lithuania Michael Graham, Minister of Foreign Affaires of Lithuania Antanas Valionis, chief negotiator with European Union Petras Auštrevičius and others.

Entrance to the Park was free. During the festivity President Valdas Adamkus was awarded as the most European Lithuanian. Sweet Jazz Band musicians amused guests; discussions took place all day long.

The guests of the park had a good time while looking around unique art pieces exhibited in the park. President met the young people, get acquainted with the exposition of the park and left his greetings in Guests’ Book wishing for Europos Parkas to become the centre of attraction for whole Europe.

See more pictures from celebration of the day of Europe in the park.

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