On Thursday evening, after a year of reconstruction work, the legendary fountain at Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre.
"We are witnessing amazing changes, when various public spaces are reborn in Vilnius after reconstructions, renewed squares experience a renaissance, attracting many people, cultural events, various festivals." The people of Vilnius have long been waiting for a reborn fountain, which has been inactive for decades, but for many it brings back precious memories. I hope that not only the fountain will be renovated, but also its access and square will be another favorite place to spend your free time, organize various activities or simply take a breather by the waterfalls of the fountain on a hot day", says the mayor of the city of Vilnius Remigius Šimašius.
The building of the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theater (LNOBT) was designed in 1974 by Elena Nijolė Bučiūtė, one of the most prominent architects of the 1930s generation. The creator, who is only 30 years old, presented a version of the theater in the style of functionalism with its accesses. It was a particularly modern building at the time. Luxurious pink granite brought from Ukraine was used for the pavement, fountain, benches, stairs, theater exterior. The opera fountain was distinguished by its modernity, its water jets were not high, as was usual in other projects at that time. The aim was to create architectural waterfalls in the urban landscape, providing the effect of a river flow. In the city center, near the theater, you can feel like you are in nature, because the fountain creates its own climate, cools the space and emits the sounds of the waterfall.
According to Mantvydas Šakalis, director of the company "Poolservice.LT", which implemented the reconstruction of the fountain, the LNOBT access is a special public space of the capital.
During the reconstruction of the fountain, preserving its authenticity, the granite finishing panels were renewed, the worn-out pool bottom tiles were replaced, and the technological equipment. To everyone's surprise, the circulating water pump of 1974, made according to the technology of the time, is still working today. Quality pumps are also being made now, but they last 10 years, not 30-40 years, so this is extremely rare.
The opera fountain is equipped with a new pipeline, electrical installation, water pool waterproofing, filtration, and water level control systems. All this will prevent the breeding of bacteria in the fountain, so children can safely swim or play in it. LNOBT visitors will also be delighted by the underwater colored light installation installed in the fountain.
While renewing the fountain, the granite retaining walls at the intersection of Vilniaus and Tiltas streets, pedestrian paths around the fountain were also repaired. To make them comfortable and safe, the municipal company "Beam". It is estimated that it took about 40 to fix the entrances to the theater. pavement tiles, and about 1 granite slabs were used in the renovation of the retaining walls.
About 300 thousand was allocated from the city budget for renovation works. euros, another 240 thousand. euros was allocated by LNOBT.
Richard Strauss's opera "Salome" with the best opera soloist of 4, Asmik Grigorian, will be shown on a huge cinema screen at the entrance of the theater during the grand opening of a unique place on the initiative of the city municipality on the evening of July 2018th. This recording was made at the Austrian classical music and performing arts festival Salzburger Festspiele, presenting A. Grigorian's talent to the whole world.
Sigita Zumerytė (ELTA)
