French artist to create mural in Vilnius to mark Lithuanian season in France

VILNIUS – Saype, a renowned French artist, will create a mural on the slope of Gediminas Hill in central Vilnius to mark the season of Lithuania in France.

Speaking at the project's presentation on Friday, Ruta Kackute, head of the National Museum of Lithuania, stressed the importance of the site allocated for the implementation the art project.

"The National Museum of Lithuania is delighted to be able to provide a site that is important not only for Vilnius, not only for the National Museum of Lithuania, but also for the whole country, namely Gediminas Hill and the slope of Gediminas Hill, on which this piece of art will be created," she said.

Saype will continue his Beyond Walls project in Vilnius after creating murals in 20 cities around the world, including Geneva, Berlin, Dubai and Cairo.

This is not the first time the artist has visited Lithuania. It is during his visit last fall that the idea for the Baltic Way-inspired mural featuring the clasped hands and symbolizing the friendship between France and Lithuania was born.

"I learned the story of the Baltic Way from 1989 at the museum and I thought it was so relevant to my own project that I had to do it," Saype told the conference.

The mural will be painted from 6 to 17 of September, and people will be able to observe the creative process by visiting the courtyard of the National Museum of Lithuania at the foot of Gediminas Hill.

Once the mural is completed, it will be officially presented to the public, followed by a concert.

According to the organizers, Saype will create the mural using environmentally friendly, natural paints that will completely degrade over time.

The mural is part of the French Echoes in Lithuania program of events that will take place across Lithuania from September 12 until December 12. The program is designed to promote the exchange of creativity, ideas and knowledge between France and Lithuania and to strengthen cultural dialogue and cooperation. On this occasion, French artists, academics, architects and designers will visit Lithuania to take part in discussions, workshops and other cultural activities.