January 15 Another artist's drawing appeared in the heart of Vilnius - Pylimo St. The building at 9 was decorated with an impressive symbol of unity, peace and a bright future NATO fresco. It is intended to commemorate one of the most important and largest events in the history of the country - the NATO summit, which took place in July last year in Vilnius.
"Freedom and security are our greatest assets. NATO protects even 1 billion people from 31 countries on both sides of the Atlantic. This mural commemorates last year's NATO summit in Vilnius and reminds us that the transatlantic alliance always protects us and ensures prosperity in a peaceful and secure society", says Marie-Doha Besancenot, Assistant Secretary General of NATO for Public Diplomacy.
"This mural is one of the highlights of the Protect The Future campaign. The campaign has already helped build strong relationships with youth and communities across the alliance. I hope that by embodying the nation's membership in NATO and emphasizing the organization's unfading importance for the future of all of us, this drawing will resonate not only among the people of Vilnius, but also among all Lithuanian residents. In addition, as the 75th anniversary of the signing of the NATO Treaty is approaching in Washington this year, this drawing and many other murals in different countries will perpetuate the organization's mission throughout the alliance," hopes M.D. Besancenot.
According to Žygimantas Amelynos, the author of the idea for the mural and one of the founders of the artist studio "Gyva grafika", such city wall drawings are a strong and evocative means of communication, sending a visual message to the public: "This mural invites you to stop and think about what it means to be free and have a secure future ".
Special focus on youth engagement
This year, the main focus was on the involvement of the youth of Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in the "Protect the Future" campaign.
The popular blogger and YouTube star Paulius Mikolaitis (Paul de Miko) was one of the main representatives of Lithuania. He had to participate in important NATO events, at the Vilnius Summit, where he interviewed David Cattler, the Assistant Secretary General of NATO for Intelligence and Security. The blogger also participated in NATO military exercises, including BALTOPS 23, visited the world's largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford.
P. Mikolaitis says that he agreed to contribute to this campaign at the same moment: "Introducing the young generation to the activities of the alliance is necessary in order to support the further activities and development of NATO. The Transatlantic Alliance and its member states are our long-term strategic partners. I believe that in Vilnius in the old town the painted mural "Let's protect the future" will become another symbol consolidating Lithuania's membership in NATO and its role in protecting the future of all of us."
An impressive 15-meter high mural decorates the historic Pylimo Street. 9 building.
"The purpose of the mural is to unite society and spread the message that we can be calm and do our daily work because we are always protected by NATO. That's why we chose to broadcast a safe and peaceful future with a drawing", says Ž. Amelyn.
The cold weather made the painting of the fresco somewhat difficult. Outdoor work in the middle of winter in the face of severe cold is quite a challenge. "However, there is nothing that cannot be solved by four sweaters, three pants and five socks," jokes Ž. Amelyn.
This year, NATO will announce a competition for artists from all alliance states. Its winner will create a mural in Washington, where this year's summit will be held to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the alliance.
