On the symbolic day, February 16, at 13 p.m. to MO Museum the interactive cultural-educational project "Vilnius Talking Sculptures" will be joined by one of the most prominent personalities of Lithuanian history - dr. Jonas Basanavičius. in 2018 The monument of sculptor Gediminas Piekurs built in the capital in front of the Lithuanian National Philharmonic will become the 24th MO project sculpture, offering Vilnius residents and guests an unexpected and creative way of getting to know history.
"As the darkness of the night disappears on the earth at dawn, so that the spirit of Lithuania shines like this!" This is our longing and desire", - in 1883 Jonas Basanavičius, the signatory of the Act of Independence, scientist, doctor, orator, addressed the readers of "Aušra". Now these words, inscribed on the pedestal of the monument of J. Basanavičius, greet Vilnius residents and city guests who come to Aušras varti street.
The poet and playwright Mindaugas Nastaravičius proposed his own interpretation of the thoughts of the nation's patriarch for the "Vilnius Speaking Sculptures" project, whose text, read in Lithuanian by actor Dainius Svobonas and in English by journalist Rytis Zemkauskas, will be available to every interested passer-by from February 16.
"Probably every monument causes debate in society, whether it is necessary at all." There were no substantial disputes regarding Jonas Basanavičius. Yes, its location and shape have been debated for a long time, but the essence and meaning of the monument itself is not in doubt - we tend to agree on what is most important. Speaking Jonas Basanavičius will be happy about that - not himself, who we look at with raised eyes, but us, who raise those eyes," says M. Nastaravičius.
The Director of the MO Museum, Milda Ivanauskienė, is happy with the growth of the "Vilnius Talking Sculptures" project - according to her, this way of getting to know the symbols of the city allows for a more personal connection with culture and history.
"It's good to see that the project started in 2015 is not only successfully alive, but continues to develop, more and more Vilnius sculptures are speaking. It helps people connect with both artworks in public spaces and historical figures or city symbols.
The playfulness and storytelling encoded in the "Talking Sculptures" project breathes life into static monuments and awakens people's curiosity. I am sure that this positively affects the relationship of the residents of Vilnius and those who visit here with the history of our city and country," says M. Ivanauskienė.
February 16 13 p.m. in the square in front of the Lithuanian National Philharmonic (Aušros vartų st. 5) the opening of the spoken sculpture of Jonas Basanavičius will take place, in which the mayor of Vilnius will participate Remigius Šimašius, sculptor Gediminas Piekuras and representatives of the MO Museum. "Vilnius speaking sculptures" is an interactive project that offers an active and rich leisure alternative for citizens and guests of Vilnius. After scanning the QR code, interested passers-by can receive a call on their smartphones and thus get to know important Lithuanian historical figures, representatives of other nations or fictional characters-symbols of the city immortalized in the sculptures.
He initiated the "Vilnius Talking Sculptures" project, which started in 2015 MO Museum, the patron of the project - Vilnius city municipality.
