Alytus is becoming even happier and more European, and the residents of the city have another space where they can celebrate the achievements of the city and the country. The neofresca – a drawing on the wall – was unveiled to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Lithuania’s accession to the European Union. The artist Pijus Šematulskis gave his native Alytus another piece of work, after he invited his colleague from Druskininkai, Gabrielis Žvirblis, to help.
City of Alytus in 2003 was the most European in the entire country in the referendum held. On this occasion, the “Renew Europe” faction of the European Parliament, encouraged by Petros Auštrevičius, who considers himself a dzuk, presented the city with a gift and wished to continue following in the footsteps of a happy and united Europe.
“The fact that Lithuanian youth are the happiest in the world is perfectly reflected here. This is the merit of all of us, which shows that we made the right decision two decades ago,” said MEP P. Auštrevičius.
The drawing on the social services center of the city of Alytus was unveiled by its director Eglė Teresevičienė, the vice-mayor of the city of Alytus Lina Gaidžiūnaitė, MEP Petras Auštrevičius and the chairman of the city’s student council, Simas Savukynas, who contributed to the implementation of the event.
The drawing, in bright and cheerful colors, shows seven windows and people of different generations in them. “The work broadcasts a message about the values fostered by the EU – community and dignity. It shows openness to a different approach, dialogue, cooperation” – the artists presented the message of their work. An attentive viewer will notice that the work also looks to the future, the flag of Ukraine is visible, symbolizing its future membership in the EU.
Neither the record-breaking time of the piece’s implementation nor the bad weather stood in the way of Dzukis. P. Šematulskis said the following about the snow that covered Southern Lithuania in the middle of spring: “Tears almost fell. Although I hoped for a long time that this would not happen, nature played a joke.” The friends, who had to start and finish the neofresco in less than a week, finished the work just half an hour before its opening: “Let’s not lie, we had to work through the night as well,” said the duo of Dzuk artists.
“If we make at least one person smile, our mission will be accomplished” – said G. Žvirblis and P. Šematulskis about the common goal.
You can see the neofresco – a painting on the wall – on the wall of the social services center of the city of Alytus at Naujoji st. 64.
You can learn more about the work, its idea and process by viewing it this video.
Information of the student council of Alytus city municipality
