Important information
Vilnius Scientists Construct the World’s Smallest Nativity Scene and it’s Smaller than a Human Cell
Sometimes the most important and impressive things are invisible to the naked eye, but we all know that they are real and true. A team of scientists from Vilnius have made something that is invisible to the naked eye: a Christmas Nativity Scene that is smaller than a human cell. The project, nicknamed #nanojesus, has been submitted to the Guinness Book of Records as the world‘s smallest-ever Nativity Scene. Furthermore, the project has also become a special Christmas gift from the President of Lithuania to Pope Francis.
Each year, the holiday season at Vilnius’ Cathedral Square is marked not only by one of the most beautiful Christmas trees in the world, but also by the spectacular composition of the traditional Christmas Nativity Scene – the Holy Family, the Three Wisemen greeting the Holy Family, Shepherds and animals.
A team from Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, joined by their colleagues from the Vilnius University Laser Centre and the private companies Femtika and Ideja 3D, made an exact replica of the traditional Vilnius Nativity Scene by reducing the original to nanoscale dimensions, making it invisible to the human eye. In this nanoscale, Baby Jesus is smaller than the average human cell, which has inspired the project nickname #nanojesus.
The nano-Nativity Scene has been submitted to the Guinness World Records by Go Vilnius, the city’s Tourism and Business Development Agency. Citizens and guests of Vilnius will soon be invited to take a look at this unique Nativity Scene at the Vilnius City Municipality.
Vilnius Mayor Remigijus Šimašius congratulated the scientists and everyone involved in the project, saying, “This is truly a unique initiative, which playfully brings a message to the world about Vilnius’ creative potential and speaks to the talent of our scientists and their ability to understand and implement modern technologies.“
It took three months to make the nano-Nativity Scene. Students and scientists from VGTU, together with representatives from several private companies, combined three technological processes: 3D scanning, 3D modelling and 3D laser nano-printing. Their efforts resulted in the traditional Vilnius Cathedral Square Nativity Scene being reduced 10,000 times, making it smaller than a human cell.
It took the team many hours to carefully scan, model and replicate the original sculptures. This allowed them to 3D print the scene on a microscopic scale.
Lithuania’s President Dalia Grybauskaitė has since given the nano-Nativity Scene to Pope Francis as a Christmas gift on behalf of the entire country.
The project’s organisational partners include the Vilnius Archdiocese, Go Vilnius and Invest Lithuania.
“The nano-Nativity Scene is a great example of cooperation between science centres, government and municipal institutions and private companies,” said Go Vilnius Head Inga Romanovskienė. “The project sends a message to the world about Vilnius being a creative and open city,“
This project reflects Lithuania’s position as one of the global leaders in laser technology and promotes the opportunities and achievements of the country’s scientists, its high technology market, and the collaborative and cultural spirit of Vilnius’ academic community. Vilnius is an open city, both spiritually and technologically.
Throughout this joyous holiday season, we want to remind more and more people that the good deeds and feelings we share with one another are often invisible. Invisible but no less real, no less reliable and no less important to each and every one of us.
More information, photos and video: www.nanojesus.com
Also read:
New Education Project Converts Vilnius Into One Giant School to Combine Traditional and Immersive Learning
March 22, 2023. Having won Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Mayors Challenge for a city-wide open school concept in 2022, Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, has launched the innovative education project “Vilnius is a School.” It joins other city-wide initiatives, like an open café and open gallery,... ❯❯❯
2023-03-23
Vilnius Awards Honorary Citizen Title to Internationally Renowned Author Kristina Sabaliauskaitė
Vilnius, recognized as the UNESCO City of Literature, has bestowed the title of Honorary Citizen on the country’s one of the most distinguished authors, Kristina Sabaliauskaitė. Lithuanian, Latvian, Polish, Estonian, and Dutch audiences, among others, have highly praised her literary work,... ❯❯❯
2023-02-22
Vilnius says “SU-MENĖK” (en.” WITH ART”) again – invites you to broaden your horizons with contemporary art in February
The beginning of 2023 marks not only the 700th anniversary of Vilnius, but also the 4th edition of the "SU-MENĖK" initiative organised by the capital's municipality on February weekends. This year, the project returns with an even bigger scope, welcoming participants with the slogan "Expand... ❯❯❯
2023-02-02
Vilnius develops an open lessons platform to transform the capital city into one large school
Vilnius is set to move lessons out of classrooms and into open urban areas including squares, streets, museums, and companies. Today saw an official introduction of the project Vilnius is a School (Lith. Vilnius yra mokykla), which aims to move at least 10% of lessons to urban spaces. Last year,... ❯❯❯
2023-01-20
Incentives offered by Vilnius have already attracted nearly 200 new teachers to schools
The capital city stepped into the new school year offering an innovation – cash incentives to attract talents to schools. And the idea worked out – by the end of October, 190 new teachers joined 90 educational institutions in Vilnius. Sholom Aleichem Gymnasium, Viršuliškės School,... ❯❯❯
2022-12-16
Lithuania will host the 2023 European U17 Championships
Badminton Europe’s Board of Directors allocated the 2023 European U17 Championships to the Lithuanian Badminton Federation. The event will be the first-ever European championships in the sport of badminton to be held in Lithuania and is expected to take place in the nation's capital Vilnius... ❯❯❯
2022-12-07
