E is for Entertainment

I have spent the last few days travelling across Lithuania, to the towns of Klaipėda and Panevėžys. There will be more about both these cities in future posts. In Panevėžys I took a walk with a friend through one of it's parks. It was here that I was able to photograph another contrast, loosely related to the theme of entertainment.

Exhibit A

No, it's not an anti-tank obstacle or any sort of retro modern art. This testament to the beauty of concrete is a child's slide. Can you imagine the fun that must have been had as you passed through the first concrete cone, climbed the iron ladder and made your way to the launch platform, before launching yourself at a sharp 45 degrees! (If your ankles didn't shatter on the floor)

Just around the corner in the same park is a brand new skate park.

Exhibit BBMX biking, roller blading and skateboarding is very fashionable and popular amongst the Lithuanian youth and such parks are popping up all over the place. There's one near the centre of Vilnius and on any day without snow it's the scene of many small boys making their first tentative descent on a half pipe and budding Tony Hawks pulling Funky Chickens, Elephant Glides and Firehydrants.

If extreme sports is not your thing or you're all grinded out then Lithuania still has plenty to offer in the way of entertainment. There are bars, cafes, theatres and cinemas - all of which you can find details about in a guide book. What you can't read in the guide books, but need to visit the Tourist Information Office or have a friend in a band, is the amount of free concerts that happen throughout the year, expecially in Vilnius. The producers of Palin's New Europe (BBC TV 2007) felt the need to show about 5 minutes worth of local people singing. It was embarrassing to watch. Lithuania is however a nation of singers as Palin sought to illustrate. The free concerts and performances that litter the calender are a truer testament to the singing heart of Lithuanians. The quality can range from blond haired girls singing cheesey pop at the annual Christmas Concert in Cathedral Square to traditionally dressed troupes singing folk songs. There was even a day last summer when almost anyone who wanted to was able to play and sing on Vilnius Street Music Day (photos below). The best advice for anyone coming to Lithuania - follow your ears!

You could of course stay inside and watch TV. Especially for the Dviračio šou - Literally The Bike Show - which includes two men dressed up as mice debating the current political goings-on. It's very Fast Show and Not The Nine O'Clock News.

Pasilik Lietuvoje (Stay in Lithuania) Concert - Encouraging young people not to travel abroad, but to stay and live and work in Lithuania (The organisers were foreigners who live in Lithuania).

Childline Birthday Concert, Cathedral Square

All below from Vilnius Street Music Day