In 2021, Lithuania and Canada are marking the 30th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations. Canada has never recognized the illegal Soviet annexation of Lithuania and was the first G7 country to recognize the restoration of the independence of Lithuania on August 26, 1991.
To mark this occasion, we invite you to watch this recording of the celebratory event, which was held at the National Gallery of Canada on Friday, October 1, 2021.
During the event, Josée Drouin-Brisebois from National Gallery of Canada presented her work curating the 13th edition of Kaunas Biennial – one of the largest international contemporary art festivals in the Baltic region. Co-create festival of “Kaunas 2022 – European Capital of Culture” was introduced.
Famous Lithuanian preformers Rafailas Karpis and Darius Mažintas presented the program.
Rafailas Karpis, a tenor soloist at the Lithuanian National Opera Theatre, has performed more than 30 roles in various opera productions in Lithuania and abroad. Last year he was awarded with “Golden Cross of the Stage” – the most important and honourable performing arts award in Lithuania. Having grown up in a Jewish family, R. Karpis has always had a special interest in Jewish music, especially Yiddish songs, and has a wide repertoire of Yiddish songs composed by Litvak and Jewish composers.
Darius Mažintas has won a number of international piano competitions and participated in many prestigious music festivals. In addition to his solo career, D. Mažintas collaborates with orchestras, singers and violinists, as well as taking part in various outreach programmes aimed at promoting classical music to the young.
Event was organized by Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania to Canada in partnership with National Gallery of Canada.
