After some years of silence, we are thrilled to announce the return of LTart.NL! The event will celebrate a fusion of Lithuanian, Dutch, and international artistry with the fresh line-up of returning and new talents. 

To give you a taste of the magic we’re reigniting, we invite you to take a journey back to our 2013 event. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of creativity and passion that has defined LTart.NL over the years. This video captures unforgettable moments and the vibrant spirit we’re excited to bring back in our upcoming gathering. Watch, reminisce, and get ready to create new memories with us!

Prepare to immerse yourself in a symphony of senses as LTart.NL makes its much-anticipated return! We promises a cultural mosaic where your senses will journey through the creative realms of Hear, See, and Taste. Let your ears be enthralled by the eclectic mix of live performances, from the soul-stirring depths of classical compositions to the spontaneous zest of contemporary and jazz rhythms. Allow your eyes to feast on a visual gallery of imagination, where painting, photography, narrate untold stories and crystallize moments of pure emotion. But the allure doesn’t stop there; embark on a culinary adventure with authentic Lithuanian delicacies, each bite a testament to a rich culinary heritage. As we set the stage for a sensory celebration, we are excited already to introduce you to some of the masterful artists, musicians, and chefs who will be your guides in this unforgettable expedition. More to follow in coming weeks.

Programme

14:15 – 15:00: Discover the magic of Kanklės in the workshop with Kristna Kuprytė.

In the LTart.NL program, there’s a new feature.

For the first time, there will also be a Kanklės playing workshop.

The kanklės is a traditonal Lithuanian plucked string instrument belonging to the zither family and holds a special place in Lithuanian culture, frequently used to accompany folk songs, dances. Even classical music is played! Kanklės is also a symbol of natonal identty. It’s not just a musical instrument; it is an artfact that carries the narratve of Lithuanian history, traditons, and folklore. And who could lead it beter than our representatve of Kanklės , the expert teacher Kristna Kupryte. So don’t miss the opportunity, if you’ve ever wanted to try playing Lithuanian natonal instrument Kanklės, this will be the perfect chance.

As they say: „too good to go“ .

15:00 – 15:45: Delve into Lithuanian literature with Rasa Sage, Jolija Reinikytė – Bulligan and Luana Mas

Rasa Sagė, an accomplished author of four books, is a fervent member of the Lithuanian community in the Netherlands. Beyond founding a successful Nederland’s readers club, she conducts interviews with prominent Lithuanians and Dutch individuals connected to Lithuania.

Rasa’s fascinaton lies in exploring the historical interplay between the Netherlands and Lithuania, a theme she eloquently weaves into a novel chronicling the lives of women in the Netherlands over a span of a century. In additon to her literary pursuits, Rasa fervently engages in the realm of Lithuanian literature, staying abreast of developments, ardently devouring literature, crafing insightul book reviews, and engaging discussions with authors.

 

Jolija Reinikytė – Bulligan

Jolija Reinikytė – Bulligan’s journey as a poet began in the culturally rich environment of Kaunas, surrounded by the infuence of an engineering doctor father and a librarian mother. Classical music and art exhibitons were staples in her early life, nurturing a deep appreciaton for the arts.

She embraced poetry at the tender age of 12, a passion that has remained steadfast through the years. Her poetry, which can be explored at jolija.wordpress.com, refects the depth and richness of her experiences, from her formatve years in Lithuania to her transformatve tme in Italy, and now in her life in the Netherlands. Jolija’s poetry transcends the boundaries of her professional life, ofering a window into her soul and the world as she perceives it. Her works are a testament to her enduring love for the writen word and her ability to capture the nuances of human emoton and experience.

Luana Mas

Luana Mas, a graduate in Mathematcs from Vilnius University, is a multfaceted artst and educator. She founded the fashion theater “ERRA” in Vilnius and was involved in editng children’s literature. Masienė also led the youth dance music group “FIAT LUX” and has been the owner and mathematcs tutor at “Luna” frm since 1995. Her artstc pursuits include writng poetry and prose, some under the pseudonym Ana Lu, with notable works such as “Šis gyvenimas – tekants smėlis” (1997) and “Mirtes bėgliai” (2017). She has organized night poetry readings in Marijampolė and currently maintains the creatve website www.baltaskambarys.com.

 

16:00 – 16:45: Young Stars Spotlight featuring Louka Budvyts, Laimis Jofré, and Job Reijnhart

Louka Budvytis

Born into a Lithuanian family in The Netherlands, with two other siblings also in performing arts, Louka Budvytis is a 16-year old singer passionate about musical and jazz, and digital drawing. In 2023, Louka was admited to the Dutch Academy of Performing Arts, following her dream of becoming a musical performer.

 

 

 

Laimis Jofré and Job Reijnhart

From the lively corridors of middle school to the grand stages of the music world, Job and Laimis have transformed their shared passion for music into an inspiring artistc collaboration. Their journey began in the classrooms where they discovered their mutual love for creating music – Job, a wizard at crafting beats, and Laimis, a rapper with a fair for lyrical expression. Their creative synergy sparked the idea to unite their talents. Today, they boast two captivating songs on Spotify, showcasing their unique blend of beats and rhymes. But that’s not all – they have also graced the prestigious Concertgebouw stage, performing alongside the renowned Nederlands Blazers Ensemble.

17:30 – 18:30: Classical Sound by Paul de Boer, Ula Klebanovaite, and Hidde Smeding

19:00 – 20:30: Crescendo of Cultures with Kristna Kuprytė, Rima Dirse, Vytautas Straižys and Eglė Petrošiūtė.

Egle Petrošiūtė

A rising star in the international jazz arena, Egle’s musical journey is rooted in her Lithuanian family’s passion for jazz. Her formative years were spent immersed in the works of iconic musicians, from Ella Fitzgerald to Antonio Carlos Jobim. Her unique sound, a blend of traditional, contemporary, and Brazilian jazz, has captivated audiences across Europe and Brazil. An alumna of the Conservatory of Amsterdam, she’s performed with renowned orchestras and ensembles, showcasing her versatility and lyrical approach to music. Egle’s debut album, “Bird’s Notes,” highlights her multifaceted talents as a vocalist, arranger, and composer, offering a melodious fusion influenced by American and Brazilian masters. Her commitment to melody resonates throughout her work, inviting audiences to join her musical voyage.

Vytautas Straizys

Vytautas Straižys is a distinguished pianist with an extensive background in both classical and jazz music. Educated at the M.K. Čiurlionis School of Art and the Royal Conservatory in the Netherlands, his performances are characterized by a synthesis of stylistic elements, drawing from the oeuvres of jazz luminaries such as Oscar Peterson and Bill Evans, as well as classical composers like Sergei Rachmaninoff and Claude Debussy. In addition to his solo work, Mr. Straižys collaborates with a myriad of musical projects across genres, including jazz and soul, thereby establishing himself as a versatile contributor to the contemporary music landscape. He is also the founder of Downtown Piano Lab, a Vilnius-based music venue that has garnered significant attention for its unique setting—concerts are hosted within Mr. Straižys’s own residence, offering an unparalleled, intimate musical experience.

Kristina Kupryte

Kristina Kuprytė creates beautiful, spiritual, and meditative music with the ‘kanklės’—a unique Lithuanian plucked string instrument from the zither family. Holding a Master’s degree from the renowned Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre in Vilnius, she has garnered various prestigious awards and widespread recognition both in Lithuania and abroad. A masterful ‘kanklės’ player, Kristina performs classical pieces from Eastern and Western composers, along with traditional Lithuanian folk tunes. She has given numerous solo recitals in countries including Lithuania, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Finland, Norway, Italy, Spain, Latvia, Estonia, England, Russia, Greece, the USA, and Egypt. Her cultural contributions earned her the title of honorary citizen of Omaha, Nebraska.

 

Rima Dirse

Emerging from Lithuania’s artistic echelons, Rima Dirse mastered diverse vocal genres and enthralled international audiences. Her move to Holland in 1990 marked new musical explorations and educational pursuits.

 

Notably, Rima played a pivotal role in LTart.NL, fostering Lithuanian culture in Amsterdam. Beyond performing, she delved into media and literary translation, including work for Dutch channels and translating renowned works like Paul van Loon’s series, bridging cultural narratives between her homeland and adopted country.

20:30 – 21:30: The Party with Vytautas Straižys.

Maria Cavali

Since embarking on her freelance journey in 2011, Maria has carved a niche in the competitive field of photography. Her talent shines in editorials for notable publications like Llamas Valley, Time-Out, 1st Dibs, Uitkrant, and A-Mag magazine.

Maria’s experience in modelling and acting has endowed her with a profound understanding of human nature and the nuances of personality, elements that profoundly influence her preferred genres of portrait and product photography. These insights are palpable in her work, capturing more than just images but the very essence of her subjects.

Currently living her dream, Maria revels in the perfect equilibrium between pursuing inspiring personal projects and nurturing her dedicated portrait and product photography studio. Each day is a testament to her passion, as she continues to create impactful visuals that resonate on both personal and commercial avenues.

https://www.mariacavali.com

 

Raimonda Grikšaitė

Born in Klaipeda, Lithuania, Raimonda Grikšaitė now lives in the Netherlands, having been engrossed in art from a young age.

 

 

After extensive studies in art and theater, she achieved notable recognition, including a nomination for the prestigious Royal Dutch Prize for Free Painting in 2008.

Grikšaitė’s art depicts theatrical scenes where disparate figures engage in compelled rituals, highlighting the struggle between personal ideals and imposed roles. Her work explores deep existential queries: the authenticity of our perceived reality and the intricacies of self-identity.

Her painting serves as introspection, revealing characters confronting their inner doubts and dreams while radiating an underlying strength and hope. Grikšaitė invites viewers into this intimate realm, prompting a face-to-face reflection with their own vulnerabilities and inner richness.

Instagram

 

Jolija Reinikytė – Bulligan

In parallel to her poetic endeavours, Jolija Reinikytė – Bulligan is an accomplished painter, a skill she honed after completing art school. Her paintings, glimpses of which can be seen at pinterest.com/jolija1983, are as much a part of her identity as her poetry. Infuenced by her formatve years in Kaunas and further enriched by her tme in Italy, Jolija’s art embodies a fusion of cultural infuences and personal insights. Living in the Netherlands with her family, she contnues to pursue paintng with the same fervor as her poetry. Her art, although created alongside a career not directly linked to the arts, is a vibrant expression of her creatve spirit. Jolija’s paintngs are not just visual delights but also narrate stories, emotons, and perspectves that are uniquely hers, making each piece a personal journey into her artstc world.

Augustina Lavickaitė

Augustina Lavickaitė is a visionary designer distinguished by her research-driven approach, delving into media ecologies to unearth connections through investigatve design. Intrigued by different methods of witnessing and remembering, she often focuses on objects and landscapes as mediums of expression. Her self-initiated projects are particularly noteworthy for their engagement with archives and archival practices, serving both as a rich source of material and a unique format. Augustina‘s design philosophy revolves around breathing new life and voice into both new and found materials, transforming them into captivating narratives. Her work not only pushes the boundaries of conventional design but also underscores the storytelling power inherent in the field.

Jordi Budvytis

Through finding the simplicity, lightness and humour in complicated subjects, Jordi Budvytis strives towards decreasing the gap between the so-called ‘high art’ and ‘low art’, creating a more inclusive form of artistically driven expression for the usually non-theatre going folk, and getting rid of the prejudices that come with the words theatre and arthouse. Admitted to the Amsterdam’s Drama and Contemporary Music Theatre (Toneelschool & Kleinkunstacademie Amsterdam) in 2023, Jordi is currently exploring the many different possible art forms and is aiming towards working as a multidisciplinary artist. He is interested in such topics as nationality, xenophobia, simplicity, body language or lying.

Instagram

Youtube

 

Lina Natkevičienė

Lina Natkevičienė’s artistic journey began in her hometown of Kaunas, Lithuania, where she discovered a passion for dance and creativity. As a member of the renowned Jadvyga Salnaite dance group, she embraced her love for the arts from a young age. Life eventually led her to the Netherlands, where she has resided for 30 years, balancing a career at HAN University of Applied Sciences with her artistic endeavours. In the Netherlands, Lina found a new avenue for her creativity: jewellery making. This pursuit is more than a hobby; it’s an exploration and expression of her inner world through the art of minimalism and the natural beauty of stone beads. Each of her creations reflects her unique vision, celebrating simplicity and the inherent beauty of the materials. To experience the elegance and artistic expression of Lina’s work, visit her Instagram page, Bijoux.Lin, where she showcases her latest jewellery designs, each piece telling a story of her journey from Lithuania to the Netherlands.

Lux group: Jurgita Steile- Ivoškutė, Michel Steile, Mickey Visser, and Henk van Dijk 

Imagine four close friends, coming together to harness their creativity and unlock boundless possibilities. What began as a spontaneous conversation on a balmy summer evening, amidst the backdrop of a lush garden and a spread of delectable snacks and drinks, has now evolved into a remarkable journey. Four gifted individuals, each with their distinctive talents, are synergising their strengths to curate an awe-inspiring exhibition. While each artist possesses their own unique style, they are bound by a shared fervor and a wealth of creative concepts. Our fusion of diverse art forms spans the realms of painting, woodworking, cutting-edge digital techniques, the incorporation of natural elements, poetic expressions, and cultural influences. The boundaries are fluid, devoid of strict constraints; instead, our focus is squarely on the sheer pleasure of creation.

Catering by Sunnyside

Embracing a passion for culinary arts and communal experiences, Sunnyside Catering delights in bringing people together through food. Their journey, fueled by the joy of discovery, involves exploring diverse cultures, adopting exotic recipes, and infusing freshness into traditional dishes, mirroring the warmth and authenticity of a family meal.

At the event, they’ll offer an immersive ‘Taste’ experience, serving an array of Lithuanian dishes that promise a delightful journey for the palate, all prepared with the same homely care and international flair that defines their brand. Join in savoring these unique flavors and partake in the stories they bring to the table!

https://sunnysides.nl/