Lithuania is currently home to more than 217 migrants, including asylum seekers and refugees who have left their home countries in search of a new life due to war, political instability or other circumstances. However, those arriving in a new country face a number of challenges – from language barriers to difficulties finding work and housing. On Tuesday, May 13, Vilnius railway station artist Monika Dirsytė performed the performance "Walls" until 20 pm, which aims to draw attention to the challenges faced by migrants in Lithuania.
In an installation made of walls and a suitcase, set up in a unique space, the artist uses her actions to express the inner state of a migrant – from ignorance to helplessness and efforts to establish herself.
"By pushing a suitcase and repeatedly bumping into walls, I recreate the physical and emotional state of a migrant when you try to adapt in another country. It's not easy. By constantly bumping into walls like this, a person can lose self-confidence, feel insignificant, and useless to anyone," says M. Dirsytė.
The performance is accompanied by a sound installation that addresses the challenges of migrants, featuring recordings about loneliness, language barriers, unemployment, and cultural challenges. The author of the installation is Artūras Jelinas.
"Refugees in Lithuania face many daily challenges that few people think about. 34 percent of those who arrive have difficulty registering with doctors, 19 percent have difficulty finding employment, and the second most is finding housing. All of this complicates their integration and settling in a new country. Although everyone who arrives in Lithuania experiences different difficulties, we as a society should have a common goal - to provide them with the necessary support and help them integrate in Lithuania," says Vytautas Ežerskis, RISE Project Manager at the Vilnius Office of the International Organization for Migration (IOM Lithuania).
According to him, M. Dirsytė's performance is one of the parts of the RISE project implemented by IOM Lithuania. This project aims to encourage Lithuanian residents to become supporters and contribute to improving the integration of migrants and refugees in the country, thus complementing existing state initiatives aimed at refugee integration.
"The integration of migrants is a long-term process, but we can all contribute to ensuring that those who arrive feel safe and become active, full-fledged members of our society. Especially since representatives of various professions and specialists who, due to integration challenges, are forced to work outside their qualifications, also come to Lithuania. This way, we lose the opportunity to integrate refugees according to their existing competencies and ensure stability in the labor market," emphasizes V. Ežerskis.
Invites you to become sponsors of the arrivals
Currently, those who wish to become participants in the RISE project can contribute to the well-being of migrants and refugees in different ways - from emotional support to social services, healthcare, and housing.
"We are aiming to attract at least 100 sponsors by World Refugee Day, which is celebrated on June 20. Working with our partners in Lithuania – the Reception and Integration Agency – we aim for these people to become friends of refugees in Lithuania, help them settle in safe homes and take their first steps in our country. Sponsors can help solve various daily challenges – for example, help register with a doctor or children for school, advise on where to apply for social support or other issues, and finally simply provide emotional support. And if possible – housing support would be extremely valuable – that is, provide an opportunity to live in a free apartment or room," says V. Ežerskis.
The European Union-funded RISE project team organizes comprehensive training for new sponsors, providing them with all the necessary information. Areas such as social support, practical issues, communication with relevant institutions and other possible issues are discussed. Support will also be provided throughout the project to answer any questions or resolve any situations that arise.
"The integration of migrants arriving in Lithuania is not solely the task of state institutions. It is the responsibility of the entire society, and we can all provide support. Today, it is not only about helping refugees, but also about our own ability to become more open and empathetic people," says V. Ežerskis.
