Important information
Vilnius invites travelling back in time for centennial celebration
Vilnius is ready for a weekly celebration of the Centennial of the Restoration of the State of Lithuania, from 9 to 18 February. According to the City of Vilnius, efforts will be made to take the entire old town of Vilnius back to 1918. Plenty of events and celebrations have been planned for this particular week, involving active participation of the restaurants and bars, free tours around Vilnius, special illumination of the Independence Act-related key buildings, the distribution of the ancient publication, all this leading to the concert at the Cathedral Square with an element unseen until now – the Centennial Bell.
“Back then, in 1918, Vilnius happened to be in the centre of events, just like now, when the capital is setting the trend and showing the direction. Therefore, we wish to have the anniversary of this extremely important date for Lithuania marked not only officially. Vilnius has been and will remain an open city, therefore, we will try to involve as many as possible people from Vilnius and beyond in this celebration. The highlight of the celebrations will be travelling back in time to see Vilnius as it was in the fateful 1918, with its sounds and tastes”, says Remigijus Šimašius, Mayor of Vilnius.
The Mayor has noted that the upcoming February 16th will feature not only already recognizable highlights, such as the tricolour traffic light campaign, bonfires along Gediminas Avenue (100 this time), youth march, free tours but also new ones, including cooperation with restaurants etc. with a view to achieving a 1918 flashback through century-old tastes and ambiance, as well as the then street names, the tricolour illumination of bridges and the interactive Centennial Bell.
“February is not the best month for celebrations in terms of the weather, so we want to create warm atmosphere downtown to attract the population. I am certain that the old advertisements, restaurant signs, typical cuisine and music will definitely take you back in time to Vilnius in 1918”, says the Mayor of Vilnius.
Remigijus Šimašius invites everyone’s creative involvement in the celebration of this week, for example, by using retro graphics in their social network accounts, by making aged inter war-style business advertisements, which will compete to be published in Vilnius Newspaper, issued specifically for this occasion.
The key personalities and the buildings of that time will not be forgotten either – Vilnius public transport will feature the photos and quotations by the signatories, and the ten key centennial buildings will enjoy a special tricolour illumination.
In memory of the patriarch of the nation, Jonas Basanavičius, a largest live installation has been planned with several hundred bearded men.
All the events, festivals, restaurants, bars and hotels, as well as the photos of the old Vilnius will soon be available on a special Vilnius map: www.vilnius1918.lt.
List of events and highlights planned for the centennial celebration in Vilnius:
- Time-travelling in festive week (9-18 February), involving restaurants, hotels, other public establishments, businesses and anyone willing to join the celebration.
- Century Bell on Cathedral Square.
- Free flashback tours around Vilnius.
- 100 symbolic bonfires along Gediminas Avenue.
- Live installation ‘Basanavičius’s beard’
- Symbolic illumination of key centennial buildings.
- A tricolour traffic light campaign on Gediminas Avenue.
- Signatories’ quotations on Vilnius public transport as of January.
- Tricolour bridge lighting.
- Ancient Vilnius Newsletter.
- Theatre play for children Green Alive (under the pre-agreed schedule with schools).
- The Concert for the Restoration of the State of Lithuania on Cathedral Square.
- Patriotic march of the Lithuanian youth ‘Road of Statehood’ (Cathedral Square-Rasos Cemetery).
For more information, please visit the social network.
Also read:
Vilnius calls Lithuania to celebrate the 16th of February
Vilnius invites to special events to celebrate the Statehood on the 16th of February: new and traditional events to celebrate the restoration of the State of Lithuania will be held in main squares and streets of the capital. In addition to the traditional events valued by all, the visitors will... ❯❯❯
2022-02-10
2023 Will Be Big for Vilnius: Capital Starts Countdown Till 700th Anniversary
Vilnius started year-round preparations for its 700th anniversary in 2023. The countdown till the grand birthday includes cultural, art, educational events, and a beloved Light Show. January 25, 2022. On January 25th Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, started the official countdown till its... ❯❯❯
2022-01-27
Fusion of classical and modern works of light art on the route of the 4th Vilnius International Festival of Lights
On Tuesday, 25 January, Vilnius will celebrate its 699th birthday with the traditional lighting of the installations of the Vilnius International Festival of Lights. For five days until 29 January, an unprecedented number of light artists from around the world—France, the Netherlands,... ❯❯❯
2022-01-25
Counting of the days left to the 700th anniversary of Vilnius starts this 25th of January
As one year precisely is left until the capital’s anniversary, the symbolic clock will be set off in Vilnius. It will be calculating the days left until the 700th anniversary of Vilnius. We are going to celebrate the holiday of the entire country – the 700th anniversary of the Lithuanian... ❯❯❯
2022-01-13
Vilnius belfry is going to shine in video projections when year 2022 is welcomed
The belfry of Vilnius Cathedral Basilica is going to revive on the New Year’s Eve – the festive installation of video projections will invite you to take a journey in time that will shine symbolically during the conversion of years and time. Modern installation is already the third during the... ❯❯❯
2021-12-29
Final Days of December in Vilnius: a Comeback of a Marvellous Christmas Fairy Tale
On Christmas, after a year-long hiatus, Vilnius welcomes back one of its traditional events – Christmas Fairy Tale, shown on the Grand Stage at the Cathedral Stage. This year, spectators will see A Christmas Carol, based on a novella of the same name by Charles Dickens. ‘Each year we try to... ❯❯❯
2021-12-23