The municipality of the capital selected four professional dance, theater, opera and music groups, which were given the name of the Vilnius City Troupe and awarded annual grants. "Vilnius City Opera", "Atviras Ratas" theater, "Low Air" dance theater and "Mikroorkestra" string ensemble have been announced as city troupes.
For this year, the municipality of the capital allocates 60 from the city budget to troupes. euros, and next year, 120 thousand will be allocated. the amount of EUR, for which the winners of the competition undertake to prepare a repertoire of professional performing arts works relevant to the city of Vilnius, to ensure that they are accessible to residents of various social groups, to represent the city of Vilnius at international festivals and other events, to implement cultural education programs.
The municipality of the capital, by giving organizations the name of city troupe and awarding a grant, aims to strengthen professional performing arts institutions, provide stability to their activities, increase competitiveness, and more broadly represent Vilnius at Lithuanian and international festivals and other events.
The name Vilnius City Opera was given to the public institution "Vilnius City Opera", which created and widely presented almost 14 operas and musicals during the 20 years of the collective's existence. "Vilnius City Opera" describes itself as a gathering of free-thinking artists, the beginnings of which appeared in 2003, when director Dalia Ibelhauptaitė, conductor Gintaras Rinkevičius and artist Juozas Statkevičius joined forces to stage the opera "Pajacai".
The Theater Laboratory "Atviras Ratas" was given the name of the Vilnius City Theater Troupe. The professional theater, which celebrated its decade, is led by director Aidas Giniotis. The core of the theater consists of 2002. actors who started their studies at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, led by Professor Vladas Bagdonas and the director of "Keistuolių teatro" Aidas Giniotis. The theater laboratory, which has staged almost 20 performances, has also received several significant awards - in 2012. received the Golden Stage Cross for the national dramaturgy "Land of Rain", the Golden Stage Cross for the best play for children "Grandmother's Tale" and many others.
The name of the Vilnius City Dance Theater was given to the urban dance theater "Low Air". in 2013 the group was awarded the Golden Stage Cross in the category "Choreographer (choreographer)" - Airida Gudaitė and Laurynas Žakevičius for the dance performance "Journey Home". Vilnius City Dance Theater "Low Air" is an innovative dance theater of the young generation of Lithuania, combining elements of urban and contemporary dance. The dance theater has staged performances such as "Feel Link", "Journey Home", "Decision" and others.
The name of the Vilnius City Ensemble was given to the string ensemble "Mikroorkestra". "Mikroorkestra" is a string ensemble founded in 2015 at the initiative of Martyns Levickis, which brings together young Lithuanian musical talents for performances and has already managed to present its unique projects from Germany to South Korea. Most of the performers also play in well-known Lithuanian and international orchestras.
Professional theaters, concert institutions, troupes, ensembles, circuses or other institutions located in Vilnius could participate in the competition announced by the Vilnius Municipality to obtain the name of the Vilnius City Troupe. 8 applications were submitted for the competition, the winners were selected by the competition commission, which consisted of independent experts in professional performing arts, as well as Vilnius city municipalities representatives of the administration and the Council.
Collectives are given the names of the Vilnius City Troupe for two years. In subsequent competitions, the name of the city's troupes will be awarded for a period of three years.
