7-10 July 2009
We got to Rome and had an opportunity to discuss our trip with hubby's sister and hubby and later on with my brother and his wife when they dropped in to see us at the airport hotel. We were very disappointed with the airport hotel as it was in the middle of nowhere. There were limited options for a meal and the meal we had was very disappointing.
Next morning we made our way back to the airport and the long marathon trip home via London. After getting in to Sydney we picked up our car and drove home. We were tired but happy. We got back to a coldish winter.
Friday, April 23, 2010
DAY 52 EUROPE TRIP - LITHUANIA – ROME
7 July 2009
DAY 52 EUROPE TRIP
LITHUANIA – ROME
The time had come to leave Lithuania and start our trek home. After packing we had a little time so hubby caught up on our emails.
Some friends dropped in to say good bye and finally we were on our way to the airport and to Rome.
DAY 52 EUROPE TRIP
LITHUANIA – ROME
The time had come to leave Lithuania and start our trek home. After packing we had a little time so hubby caught up on our emails.
Some friends dropped in to say good bye and finally we were on our way to the airport and to Rome.
DAY 51 EUROPE TRIP - LITHUANIA – Vilnius – Song Festival
5 July 2009
DAY 51 EUROPE TRIP
LITHUANIA – Vilnius – Song Festival
It is our last full day in Lithuania. We had to make a hard decision today. We were given an opportunity to go to Kernave in the morning to experience the Live Archeology Day or to stay in Vilius and see the festivities leading up to the culmination point of a concert in the early evening. We had been to Kernave earlier in the trip but it was tempting to go to this event.
In the end we decided to go to Kernave with friends. I am so glad we did as it was a very exciting but unusual experience. We were a diverse group - Australians, Bavarians, Lithuanians – and we had a ball.
A lot of stalls greeted us along the main street
leading into the area of the mounds that have archeological and historic significance.
Along here there were live displays of what life was like in the various prehistoric periods.
People demonstarted how people lived, how they made things, cooked etc
There were family groups involved as well as participants from all over northern Europe.
Naturally dyed threads were labelled for all to see what they they were dyed with.
Weaving looms of different periods captured my attention.
My hubby on the other hand was interested in the armour and shields of the various periods.
Our time here passed very quickly and before long it was time to go back so that we could make it to the song festival. On the way out we dropped in to see the special bus that has been travelling aroung Lithuania as part of the 1,000 year of nationhood celebration.
By the time we arrived at a roadside café the weather was looking very sus as the clouds were coming in fast.
The setting was beautiful for the café.
After a good lunch we said goodbye to the group as we made our way back to Vilnius with a another couple for the song festival.
By the time we got back to Vilnius it was raining. We saw the end of the parade of choirs and other participants.
I felt sorry for the participants walking, riding in the rain.
We walked alongside the parade to get to Vingio Park for the concert Songs for Lithuania of a Thousand Dawns. The rain eased in time for the concert. After speeches by the various heads of countries the songs began.
Again the number number of participants was huge. Each section of the concert was performed by different groups of participants. Conductors changed for every song. There were parts of the concert that were brilliiant and other parts that dragged. Several soloist performed with the combined choirs, some in spectacular outfits.
Overall everyone left on a high. After the official concert finished the songs just kept flowing. Even the people as they walked out were singing. On the way out we went past a sculture built specifically to commemorate the 1,000 years of nationhood – the Unity Tree - that had been unveiled that day. It was spectacular and included names of those who made a significant contribution to the nation in that 1,000 years.
We made our way back to our apartment on a high. We hope that maybe the next time the song festival is held that some of our grandchildren might be able to have this experience.
DAY 50 EUROPE TRIP - LITHUANIA – Vilnius – Song Festival – Dance Day „Laiko Brydėm
5 July 2009
DAY 50 EUROPE TRIP
LITHUANIA – Vilnius – Song Festival – Dance Day „Laiko Brydėm
We woke to a beautiful dawn and another exciting day.
We met with brother-in-laws family for lunch. Time for getting to know new people and catching up with those we knew. It should have been lovely to sit outside but the cold winter put paid to that.
After a good lunch we meandered around the town and again groups singing / busking contributed to the fabulous atmosphere.
We met our friends from Canberra and went to Stiklai – an upmarket place for a snack and a drink before the big dance festival. At Stiklai the group Sutaras that we had got to know in Australia was performing. So we relaxed and enjoyed the music.
We were also entertained by the antics of the security police on patrol in the area as they were expecting some European royalty to arrive soon for their stay at Stiklai for the 1,000 years of lithuanian nationhood celebrations.
The Dance Day concert „Laiko Brydėm was to start at 9.00pm but we decided to go somewhat earlier as we wanted to avoid the last minute rush as they were expected a huge crowd. I can’t remember the exact size of the crowd but it was in excess of 30,000 and about 7,000 performers if not more. We had great seats in the centre but we could have been higher as then we would have had a better view of the dance formations.
It was a great night. We were totally immersed in the celebration of dance and the accompanying richness of costumes. From young to old, from every region groups who had passed the auditions participated as well as groups from all over the world including Australia.
All styles of dancing were covered from modern ballet, choreographed folk dances and stylised ancient dance forms. It was just fabulous. The performance was exceptionally well choreographed and put together with absolutely no breaks in transitions as one cohort of dancers exited ad another entered. It was a seamless production. The dancers looked as if they were having a great time. The only way to present it is in the photographs at the end of this blog. The grand finale included fireworks and was very impressive.
After the formal end of the concert the performers continued to dance into the morning.
But what a small world – as we were leaving the couple walking out in front of me was my nephew and his girlfriend. I knew they were there but who would thought we could run into each other like that.
Again another fabulous event.
It was lovely walking back along the streets in the lovely lit city.
DAY 50 EUROPE TRIP
LITHUANIA – Vilnius – Song Festival – Dance Day „Laiko Brydėm
We woke to a beautiful dawn and another exciting day.
We met with brother-in-laws family for lunch. Time for getting to know new people and catching up with those we knew. It should have been lovely to sit outside but the cold winter put paid to that.
After a good lunch we meandered around the town and again groups singing / busking contributed to the fabulous atmosphere.
We met our friends from Canberra and went to Stiklai – an upmarket place for a snack and a drink before the big dance festival. At Stiklai the group Sutaras that we had got to know in Australia was performing. So we relaxed and enjoyed the music.
We were also entertained by the antics of the security police on patrol in the area as they were expecting some European royalty to arrive soon for their stay at Stiklai for the 1,000 years of lithuanian nationhood celebrations.
The Dance Day concert „Laiko Brydėm was to start at 9.00pm but we decided to go somewhat earlier as we wanted to avoid the last minute rush as they were expected a huge crowd. I can’t remember the exact size of the crowd but it was in excess of 30,000 and about 7,000 performers if not more. We had great seats in the centre but we could have been higher as then we would have had a better view of the dance formations.
It was a great night. We were totally immersed in the celebration of dance and the accompanying richness of costumes. From young to old, from every region groups who had passed the auditions participated as well as groups from all over the world including Australia.
All styles of dancing were covered from modern ballet, choreographed folk dances and stylised ancient dance forms. It was just fabulous. The performance was exceptionally well choreographed and put together with absolutely no breaks in transitions as one cohort of dancers exited ad another entered. It was a seamless production. The dancers looked as if they were having a great time. The only way to present it is in the photographs at the end of this blog. The grand finale included fireworks and was very impressive.
After the formal end of the concert the performers continued to dance into the morning.
But what a small world – as we were leaving the couple walking out in front of me was my nephew and his girlfriend. I knew they were there but who would thought we could run into each other like that.
Again another fabulous event.
It was lovely walking back along the streets in the lovely lit city.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
