ETHNOGRAPHIC AND FINE CRAFTS AND FAIRS PROGRAMME
The Council of Vilnius Municipality accepted the programme of “Fine Arts and Ethnographical Trades and Fairs” in 2001. While establishing the programme it is desired to make good conditions for the prospering of ethnographical fairs in the old town of Vilnius, to re-establish traditions of crafts and trades which disappear with time, to encourage the establishment of craftsmen workshops, shops, “dynamic” museums, ethnographical pubs in the old town. With this aim the maximum effectiveness has to be achieved using properties of the old town, which belong to the Municipality.
1st direction
The rent of privilege lodgings, which belongs to the Municipality, for the
artists and craftsmen is supplied. In these lodgings the training of crafts
and trades is being executed, the demonstrations of manufacture processes
for visitors, exhibiting of the pieces of art/craft, exhibitions and sale.
At the moment there are 15 galleries-workshops participating in the programme,
they are:
1. The Gallery of Goldsmith
Guild “Meno nisa”
2. The Studio-gallery “Delmonas”
3. The Workshop-salon of folk artist (cutting paper)
4. The Gallery-workshop “Vitrazo manufaktura”
5. Baltic Amber Art Centre
6. The Gallery “Sauluva”
7. The Studio-gallery “D’arijaus papuosalai”
8. Uzupio Smithery museum
9. The Textile gallery “Aukso avis”
10. The Vilnius potters’ workshop
11. The Drapery-gallery “Jurate”
12. The Centre of crafts and arts “Nauja sirena”
13. The Workshop-gallery “Amatu gildija”
14. The Black Ceramics Gallery - Workshop “Molio laume”
15. Amber sculpture museum
16. The jeweller gallery “Atvira Azuolo studija”
More information on each of the gallery is on the internet page of Fine Crafts Association of Vilnius.
In the workshop-galleries a lot of attention is paid to children and students while organizing educative circles. The participants of the programme actively take part in city festivals, fairs and international events. The Municipality of the city of Vilnius donated a subsidy of 3000 Lt in 2005 for the encouragement of daily activities for the members of the programme.
2 projects “Revitalisation of old crafts” were prepared by Vilnius Old Town Renewal Agency in 2006. Implementation of projects was financed by the Ministry of Culture and Vilnius City Municipality.
Fine Crafts Association of Vilnius was established in 2006 in order to consolidate the participants of the programme, to develop and present the programme of crafts to the society, to prepare applications and projects to EU structural funds and support institutions.
2nd direction
The revitalisation of a Tymo Quarter, which was severely destroyed after the
World War II, by establishing the Crafts Town here. This territory, near Maironis
and Aukđtaičiř streets is going to work as a place of everlasting fairs. The
suburban culture should reflect in the square - the collision of the village
and the city.
The City financed the establishment of the infrastructure for the Crafts Town in Tymo Quarter. New pedestrian paths and sightseeing platforms were built there, a historic Kudrř street was reconstructed, and places for the fair of craftsmen were established.