Even though COVID-19 pandemic is changing everyday life, but it cannot change one of the most beautiful time of the year – Christmas. This year, the main Christmas tree in Kaunas will be lightened as always, but the festive concert will take place outside the Town Hall Square – in order to protect health of Kaunas citizens, on November 28, Kaunas residents and spectators from all over Lithuania are invited to watch the concert comfortably at home on LRT television.

Another unique composition

Although there is still a month to go before the big holidays, there are still lots of work for the artist Mrs. Jolanta Šmidtienė. This year, the Christmas tree decoration elements will resemble a sweet Christmas fairy tale. They are made of ecological material – polyethylene.

“The main Christmas symbol in Kaunas is again created by the author of unique Christmas trees – artist Mrs. Jolanta Šmidtienė. Her ideas and works annually pleasantly surprise and delight Kaunas residents and city guests. Last year, the brightly colored “cosmic” decorations that dominated the Town Hall Square will be replaced by the motifs of a Christmas fairy tale. The tree will be completely different, but traditionally enchanting and festive.

The year was difficult, so let the Christmas in Kaunas be calm and easy. This is also reflected in this year’s motto: “Sweet Christmas in Kaunas”. Bright colors will return to the Town Hall Square, the activities and entertainment that took place here will move from the Christmas town to the virtual space and the citizen’s house,” said Deputy Mayor of Kaunas City Municipality Mr. Mantas Jurgutis.

Education, workshops and other activities that are especially popular among young Kaunas residents together with Christmas mail will be waiting for visitors on the Internet: the website kaledos.kaunas.lt will be launched in the near future.

A bright, festive and sweet fairytale-like main Christmas tree of the city will be waiting for Kaunas residents up to the Three Kings celebration.

Inspiration came from meringues

Mrs. J. Šmidtienė revealed that the inspiration for this year’s Christmas symbol came unexpectedly. At home, by eating meringues, she drew attention to the beautiful texture of the dessert. Of course, the textile artist believes that sweets are an integral part of the holidays, especially in the context of these days, when people spend a lot of time at home.

“I wanted to create something that would be sweet, light and smell like home. We tried to extract different textures and eventually discovered one that was especially reminiscent of meringue or whipped cream. And this is the story of how the idea of Kaunas Christmas tree came,” said Mrs. J. Šmidtienė.

In collaboration with Kaunas Culture Center, this year artist created the decorations of the Christmas town using the foundations, frames and details of festive decorations acquired by the city in 2018. As usual, a large team of volunteers assists intensive work.

According to the author, the production of decorations is already ending. The biggest challenge is ahead – to combine the “meringue” decorations into a common whole, which will turn the Town Hall Square into a sweet Christmas fairy tale.

The concert will be only on TV screens

Every year, a lighting of the Christmas tree in the Town Hall Square attracts thousands of spectators, but this year it will be different. The broadcast of the concert with the famous stars of the country, as Monique, Vidas Bareikis, Jazzu, Justinas Jarutis, “Saulės kliošas”, “The Roop”, Saulius Prūsaitis, Martynas Kavaliauskas and Girmantė Vaitkutė, will start on November 28 at 6 p.m. via LRT television.

“Together with the lightning of Kaunas Christmas tree, impressive fireworks will color the sky in Kaunas as well. So far, we can only tell that they will flash at the same time in 6 different spaces. Fireworks will be visible for most Kaunas residents, so they will be able to enjoy the view safely without leaving home,” said Mrs. Agnė Augonė, Head of the Culture Department of Kaunas City Municipality.

Thousands of lights

The accelerated city decoration works already arouse the Christmas spirit throughout Kaunas. “Lietutis” garlands will shine over the main streets of the city, and Kaunas bridges will be decorated with “frosted” decorations in winter. The streets of the Old Town, Santaka Park and Smetona Avenue will traditionally be decorated with lights.

Town Hall Square will also welcome Kaunas residents much brighter than before. This year, far more bulbs and garlands will shine in the trees, while the facades of the buildings surrounding the square will be highlighted by spotlights.

“One thing is clear – although this year the most beautiful winter holidays will be different, we will still meet them bright and cozy, spending time in the company of the closest people, not gathering, and enjoying the decorated Kaunas up to the Three Kings celebration,” said Mrs. Agnė Augonė.

Already more than 12,000 shining Christmas lights are on the trees of Laisvės Avenue and soon, almost a hundred shining Christmas trees will shine in the clumps near the Kaunas city Municipality building.

Facebook

Twitter

Google

Email