This fantastic trip to Utena has joined us for the third time. A rather gloomy arrival in the late evening is soon enlivened by an improvised dinner gathering at the guest house, where our colleagues have already made themselves at home. We taste some local products and others that travellers have brought with them.

 

The next day is devoted to visiting different schools and our own meeting to discuss the project. The impressive newly-built Utena library holds our first official meeting and concert by the school pop group Ausra. These young singers and players amaze us not only with their beautiful voices but also with their expertise and know-how on a stage in front of different kinds of audiences. No less impressive is the concert given by Vivo, a professional group this time at Dauniskis Gymnasium and their exhibition of Lithuanian Folk instruments. It is soon very clear to us music is an essential element in the life of this people, and we find the comparison between their traditions and ours very instructive indeed.

 

After being formally welcomed by Utena's Mayor at the Town Hall, the rest of our stay is packed with cultural visits to a number of museums, where we can learn about traditional instruments and admire the grandeur of the buildings. The museum of Utenos Krastotyra and a dinner and tour at the National Museum Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania deserve a special mention. 

 

When our visit comes to an end, we feel Lithuanians are a little bit closer to us in spite of the distance. We have really enjoyed these three days of musical experience. We are grateful to teachers, students and families for their collaboration and commitment.