Beautiful Kaunas, Lithuania, Europe.
Kaunas (/ˈkaʊnəs/; Lithuanian: [ˈkɐʊˑnɐs] (About this sound listen); also see other names) is the second-largest city in Lithuania and the historical centre of Lithuanian economic, academic, and cultural life. Kaunas was the biggest city and the centre of a county in Trakai Municipality of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania since 1413. In the Russian Empire, it was the capital of the Kaunas Governorate from 1843 to 1915.
During the interwar period, it served as the temporary capital of Lithuania, when Vilnius, the traditional capital, was considered part of Poland between 1920 and 1939.
The city is the capital of Kaunas County, and the seat of the Kaunas city municipality and the Kaunas District Municipality. It is also the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kaunas. Kaunas is located at the confluence of the two largest Lithuanian rivers, the Nemunas and the Neris, and is near the Kaunas Reservoir, the largest body of water entirely in Lithuania.
Coordinates: 54°53′50″N 23°53′10″ECoordinates: 54°53′50″N 23°53′10″E
Country Lithuania
County Kaunas County
Municipality Kaunas city municipality
Capital of Kaunas County
First mentioned 1361
Granted city rights 1408
The city's name is of Lithuanian origins and most likely derives from a personal name.
Before Lithuania regained independence, the city was generally known in English as Kovno, the traditional Slavicized form of its name; the Polish name is Kowno; the Belarusian name is Koўна, Kowna. An earlier Russian name was Ковно Kovno, although Каунас Kaunas has been used since 1940. The Yiddish name is קאָװנע Kovne, and the names in German include Kaunas and Kauen. The city and its elderates also have names in other languages
An old legend claims that Kaunas was established by the Romans in ancient times. These Romans were supposedly led by a patrician named Palemon, who had three sons: Barcus, Kunas and Sperus.
On 30 June 1993, the historical coat of arms of Kaunas city was re-established by a special presidential decree.
Kaunas also has a greater coat of arms, which is mainly used for purposes of Kaunas city representation.
A settlement had been established on the site of the current Kaunas old town, at the confluence of two large rivers, at least by the 10th century AD.
In 1665, the Russian army attacked the city several times, and in 1701 the city was occupied by the Swedish Army. The Black Death struck the area in 1657 and 1708, killing many residents. Fires destroyed parts of the city in 1731 and 1732.
After the final partition of the Polish–Lithuanian state in 1795, the city was taken over by the Russian Empire and became a part of Vilna Governorate. During the French invasion of Russia in 1812, the Grand Army of Napoleon passed through Kaunas twice, devastating the city both times. A hill fort mound in Kaunas is named Napoleon's Hill.
After Vilnius was occupied by the Russian Bolsheviks in 1919, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania established its main base in Kaunas. Later, when the capital of Vilnius was annexed by Poland, Kaunas became the temporary capital of Lithuania, a position it held until 28 October 1939, when the Red Army handed Vilnius to Lithuania. The Constituent Assembly of Lithuania first met in Kaunas on 15 May 1920. It passed some important laws, particularly on land reform, on the national currency, and adopted a new constitution. The military coup d'état took place in Kaunas on 17 December 1926.
The city also was a particularly important center for the Lithuanian Armed Forces. In January 1919 during the Lithuanian Wars of Independence, War School of Kaunas was established and started to prepare soldiers who were soon sent to the front to strengthen the fighting Lithuanian Army.
In June 1940, the Soviet Union occupied and annexed Lithuania in accordance with the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact. Vladimir Dekanozov, a Soviet emissary from Moscow, gained real power in Lithuania. Shortly, on June 17, 1940 the puppetry People's Government of Lithuania was formed, which consistently destroyed Lithuanian society, political institutions and opened the way for the Communist Party to establish itself.
Beginning in 1944, the Red Army began offensives that eventually reoccupied all three of the Baltic states. Kaunas again became the major centre of resistance against the Soviet regime.
On 14 May 1972, 19-year-old Romas Kalanta, having exclaimed Freedom for Lithuania!, immolated himself in the garden of the Musical Theatre, after making a speech denouncing the Soviet suppression of national and religious rights.
After World War II Kaunas became the main industrial city of Lithuania – it produced about a quarter of Lithuania's industrial output.
After the proclamation of Lithuanian independence in 1990, Soviet attempts to suppress the rebellion focused on the Sitkūnai Radio Station. They were defended by the citizenry of Kaunas. Pope John Paul II made the Holy Mass for the faithful of the Archdiocese of Kaunas at the Kaunas Cathedral Basilica.
Having Fun in Kaunas | LITHUANIA
Brazilians in Kaunas | Lithuania
A Little bit of Kaunas History
Kaunas is the second-largest city in Lithuania after Vilnius and the historical centre of Lithuanian economic, academic, and cultural life. Kaunas was the biggest city and the centre of a county in the Duchy of Trakai of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Trakai Palatinate since 1413. In the Russian Empire, it was the capital of the Kaunas Governorate from 1843 to 1915.
During the interwar period, it served as the temporary capital of Lithuania, when Vilnius was seized by Poland between 1920 and 1939. During that period Kaunas was celebrated for its rich cultural and academic life, fashion, construction of countless Art Deco and Lithuanian National Romanticism architectural-style buildings as well as popular furniture, the interior design of the time, and a widespread café culture. The city interwar architecture is regarded as among the finest examples of European Art Deco and has received the European Heritage Label. It contributed to Kaunas being named as the first city in Central and Eastern Europe to be designated as a UNESCO City of Design. Kaunas has been selected as the European Capital of Culture for 2022, together with Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.
The city is the capital of Kaunas County, and the seat of the Kaunas city municipality and the Kaunas District Municipality. It is also the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kaunas. Kaunas is located at the confluence of the two largest Lithuanian rivers, the Nemunas and the Neris, and is near the Kaunas Reservoir, the largest body of water in the whole of Lithuania.
As defined by Eurostat, the population of Kaunas functional urban area, that stretches beyond the city limits, is estimated at 383,764 (as of 2017), while according to statistics of Kaunas territorial health insurance fund, there are 437,283 permanent inhabitants (as of 2018) in Kaunas city and Kaunas district municipalities combined.
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Unique building in Kaunas, Lithuania
This is the A class business center in Kaunas, Lithuania. It's still being built. The ending is predicted in spring of 2008. It's unique of its windows which all were specially engraved in Germany. In the final result we see 1000 litas (Lithuanian National currency) banknote. It has never existed in real.
Ground Heights - Esheruru (Ferew Hailu) - Kaunas Jazz Festival 2019 Opening act
Kaunas Jazz Festival 2019
Lithuania's National TV
Esheruru - Ferew Hailu - Our take on the song
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Choir festival Cantate Domino 2019, Kaunas. Mixed Choir “Kamertonas” of Kaunas Culture Center
XXVII tarptautinis chorų sakralinės muzikos festivalis Cantate Domino 2019, Kaunas
27th International Choir Festival of Sacred Music Cantate Domino 2019, Kaunas
Festivalio svečiai, 2018 metų konkurso Cantate Domino Grand Prix laimėtojai Kauno kultūros centro mišrus choras Kamertonas. Vadovas Kęstutis Jakeliūnas (Kaunas, Lietuva)
Festival guests, the winners of Grand Prix competition Cantate Domino 2018.
Mixed Choir Kamertonas of Kaunas Culture Center. Artistic Director Kęstutis Jakeliūnas (Kaunas, Lithuania)
KTU | The Santaka Valley | Santakos slėnis (ENG)
The Santaka Valley is a national open access research and experimental development (R&D) centre of international standards, concentrating in one territory science and studies potential of the following most promising areas: sustainable chemistry and biopharmacy, future energy, mechatronics, information and communication technologies.
Kaunas,Lithuania - Azerbaijan National Dance by Ilgar Farzaliyev
I-CARE Kaunas – Episode #1
Documentary #1 of the project “I-CARE: InterCulture Against Racism in Europe”, Kaunas 2017 edition, by Laura Norinkevičiūtė. Full credits in the movie.
“I-CARE: InterCulture Against Racism in Europe 2017” is a Kaunas Cultural Centre of Various Nations project created in cooperation with ROOTS & ROUTES Cologne e. V. (Cologne, Germany) and Associazione Centro di Creazione e Cultura (Florence, Italy), funded by the European Union programme Erasmus+ and the programme ewoca³ by IBB e. V. that is funded by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and Stiftung Mercator, Department of National Minorities under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, Kaunas Municipality.
© 2017 Kaunas Cultural Centre of Various Nations, the international ROOTS & ROUTES network, all artists and participants.
Tautiška giesmė aplink pasaulį 360° – Lietuvos šimtmečio dainų šventė
„Tautiška giesmė aplink pasaulį 360° – Lietuvos šimtmečio dainų šventė“
Dainų diena
Vingio parkas, Vilnius, 2018 m. liepos 6 d.
A great performance by Ilgar Farzaliyev in Azerbaijan Cultural Night, 21.11.2013, Kaunas, Lithuania
Interwar Architecture In Kaunas
Kaunas of 1919-1940 has an urban landscape exuberantly reflecting European interwar modernism architecture. It represents today the outstanding heritage of a flourishing golden period when the city of Kaunas was the temporary capital of Lithuania. It features on the European Unio’s list of European Heritage sites becouse of the significant role it has played in the history and culture of Europe.
Dancing Angels from Kaunas (Lithuania)
To see in HD 1080!! Newyear 2012-13
They stop dancing at Midnight untill next year.
In the belly of the Christmastree people hang wishes for the next year.
Beautiful Firework!
10 Best Cities to Visit in Lithuania
globalstorybook.org
Here are some of Vilnius most popular attractions:
Cathedral Square.
Old Town and the St Anne’s Church, Gate of Dawn and the Gediminas Castle.
New Town and the Gediminas Avenue.
Jewish district and the Jewish Synagogue.
Republic of Uzupis.
Here’s a list of Kaunas most popular attractions:
Old Town, and the Kaunas Town Hall, Kaunas Castle, Historical Presidential Palace, House of Perkūnas, Kaunas Cathedral, Church of St. Gertrude and Vytautas’ Church.
New Town, and the Liberty Avenue, St. Michael the Archangel Church and the Central Post Office.
Pazaislis Monastery and the Kaunas Lagoon Regional Park.
Numerous museums and theaters, such as the Konstantinas Ciurlionis Museum, Devil‘s Museum and the Musical Theatre, the Drama Theatre, the Puppet Theatre and the Kaunas Pantomime Theatre.
Here are some of Klaipėda’s top sights:
Old Town and the Theatre Square, the Lietuvninkų Square, the Aukštoji street, and the Didžioji vandens street.
The Harbor and the “Meridianas” sailboat, plus the “Black Sea Ghost” statue.
Museums, such as: Klaipėda Sea Museum and Dolphinarium, and the Museum of Clocks and Watches.
The Melnragė Pier.
“Švyturys” beer brewery.
So while visiting Šiauliai make sure to visit these popular attractions:
The Hill of Crosses.
Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul.
The Bicycle Museum.
Radio and TV Tech institute.
Talkša lake with the “Iron Fox” sculpture.
Make sure to check out these popular attractions upon visiting Kernavė:
Pajauta Valley and the Cultural Reserve of Kernavė.
Kernavė Town Museum.
The Church of St. Virgin Maria Skaplierinė.
The octagonal wooden chapel.
Algirdas Alekna “Paslapčių” museum.
Here’s a full list of the main sights in Palanga:
Jonas Basanavicius boulevard with the Sea Bridge at the end.
Alley of Counts Tiskeviciai with the Concert Hall and the Palanga Kurhaus hotel and restaurant.
Tiskeviciai Palace and the Most Holy Virgin Mary’s Ascension Church.
Museums, such as: the Amber Museum and the Palanga Resort Museum, as well as parks, such as the Birutė Park with its Birutė Hill and chapel, the Sculpture Park, and the Fairytales Park.
The Curonian Spit (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) with its soft and sandy beaches.
In summary, here are the must things to see and do in Trakai:
Trakai’s Historical National Park.
Trakai Island Castle and the Museum of History.
Trakai’s Kenesa synagogue.
The Užutrakis Manor.
Karaim community restaurants offering a traditional dish “Kybyn”.
To summarize Anykščiai’s popular attractions:
The Old Town and the Church of St. Mat Apostle and Evangelist, the old cemetery and the Church of St. Alexander.
Home-museums of famous Lithuanian authors – Antanas Vienuolis and Antanas Baranauskas, plus the Horse Museum.
Anykščiai’s pinewood with “Puntukas” Stone.
Kalita Hill.
Here are the top sights to see in Druskininkai:
The Old Town and the wooden villas, plus the Avenues of Maironio, Kosciuškos and Vilniaus, as well as the diamond-shaped main square.
The Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.
The “Druskininkai Water Theme Park” and the “One” Adventure Park.
Spas and wellness centers – they all are pretty good.
Lake Druskonis beach coast and the banks of the Nemunas river.
Here are the main sights in Rumšiškės:
The Town Center.
St. Michael Archangel Church.
Rumšiškės Open-Air Ethnographic Museum.
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I-CARE Kaunas – Episode #2
Documentary #2 of the project “I-CARE: InterCulture Against Racism in Europe”, Kaunas 2017 edition, by Laura Norinkevičiūtė. Full credits in the movie.
“I-CARE: InterCulture Against Racism in Europe 2017” is a Kaunas Cultural Centre of Various Nations project created in cooperation with ROOTS & ROUTES Cologne e. V. (Cologne, Germany) and Associazione Centro di Creazione e Cultura (Florence, Italy), funded by the European Union programme Erasmus+ and the programme ewoca³ by IBB e. V. that is funded by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and Stiftung Mercator, Department of National Minorities under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, Kaunas Municipality.
The team also thanks Kaunas Chamber Theatre for support.
© 2017 Kaunas Cultural Centre of Various Nations, the international ROOTS & ROUTES network, all artists and participants.
National M K Ciurlionis school of Art-Ballet
An introduction to Ballet department at the National M.K. Ciurlionis School of Arts in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Ballet department has the only professional program that prepares future ballet artists for the National Opera and Ballet Theater and other theaters in Lithuania and abroad and has a strong contemporary dance program for future dance artists.
Lithuanian women compete in annual long hair competition
Lithuanians put their lengthy beautiful locks on display at the annual World's Longest Hair Competition, on Sunday (November 12) in the city of Kaunas, about 100 kilometres from the capital Vilnius. Underway for the eighth year in a row, over 100 women aged two to 54 took part, many of which with long combed out locks measuring longer than a meter - some reaching down to their knees or even all the way to the floor.
Lithuania's new national Rapunzel is a 21-year-old student named Sandra Grigonyte, with hair measuring 166 centimetres - long but still shy of the competition's record holder in 2013 with 245 metres of hair. Grigonyte won an all expanses paid trip for two to the European Parliament in Strasbourg or Brussels.
Vilnius Higlights - Walk around the capital of Lithuania
Vilnius Higlights - Walk around the capital of Lithuania
Wherever you travel around the Baltic States, you will find them rich in history, culture, food and drink. Each one of the Baltic capitals have a unique personality and this time we visit the wonderful city of Vilnius
If a word could describe this entire city that would have to be tranquillity. Vilnius seems to be a city without stress, in particular during the summer season. People always seem to find time to relax and have a meal or a drink sitting among friends in one of the numerous terraces that populate the streets
Standing at the heart of the city on Cathedral Square, everything is within a walking distance. There is Gedimino avenue, main artery of the old town extending to the Lithuanian Parliament, Pilies street with its multiple cafes and restaurants and also home of local and international performers, then is the Vilnius City Hall surrounded by international designer brands and, of course, the celebrated Vilnius University, which is just few steps from here.
Now, if you are prepared to adventure, take the train to Trakai. It is located some 25 kilometres out of town but a visit to Vilnius simply can't go without a visit to this delightful place. Trakai castle sitting on the middle of Galves lake is like the set of Game Of Thrones, only for real. This castle was for sometime the centre of the Lithuanian Duchy, although today is the centre of Lithuanian tourism.
Some of the places featured in this Video:
Vilnius University
Pilies Street
The City Hall
The Cathedral Square
Kempinski Hotel Vilnius
Gedimino Tower
The National Museum
Trakai Castle
Trakai's Manor & surroundings
Video: Tomas Gorbacas
Music: Walkthrough © Gabriel Orentas 2015
Street performer: Nico - Fils des etoiles
Nature and cultural heritage of Lithuania | Travel guide KeturiosSostines.lt (4 k 65FPS)
Lithuania is the country that combines the beauty of its nature and the amazing architecture of its cities. Even if you have only a few days off, you will definitely be excited by the spirit of Lithuania.
The fragrant nature and breathtaking legacy of warriors intertwine with the magnificent architecture.
The history decided that Lithuania would have even four capitals. In addition to the current capital Vilnius, Kaunas was the capital of Lithuania as well. The first Lithuanian capital was Kernavė, while the second one was Trakai. These four capitals are unique in their own ways.
As you start this adventurous journey, you will discover not only the wonders of architecture, but also the mythical locations, unique nature creations and significant objects of Lithuanian history.
We recommend you to start your journey wandering in the streets of Vilnius Old City and visit the most thrilling churches, palaces or even cemeteries in the capital city. After waking up in the morning, take a stroll around Europe’s largest old city, enjoy a cup of coffee and watch how the nature and architecture blend to create the city’s special spirit.
Continue your journey to admire Kernavė mounds, Trakai town and surrounding mounds, and finish it by exploring the most attractive architectural monuments in Kaunas.
No, you won’t find a lot of glass buildings or skyscrapers here (though we have them as well!), or structures made of concrete but isn’t it dull and already seen elsewhere?
Instead, you will find a wealth of architectural and natural heritage with the views that will make you gasp, even without knowing the history or listening to long stories of a guide. Photos and footage will help you find out more and the descriptions will give you all the information you need.
There is probably no person who would not be fascinated by Vilnius and other three Lithuanian capitals.
Presentation of Lithuania
I-CARE Kaunas – Final Performance “I See Colors”
The performance “I See Colors” is the last stage of the three-year project “I-CARE: InterCulture Against Racism in Europe”. It was shown just once on 18th September 2017 at the Kaunas Chamber Theater, Lithuania. Almost 30 young artists from three countries have worked together for almost 2 weeks under the artistic direction of Gildas Aleksa and coaching team in an international residency to develop and rehearse this performance. Dancers, singers, actors, media artists and musicians intertwine their artistic languages. The diversity within the cast provides for colliding perspectives from different corners of Europe. Through the plot they negotiate a part of common way: we are all different, individual and colorful - it can't be a reason for discrimination.
Performed and created by: Akram Mahmoud Omar, Alessandro Bardi, Alessandro Lizzio, Alexa Sabine Gbeasor, Anna Abraham, Beatrice Croce, Carolina Lottkus, Davide Sibilia, Dominykas Loda, Emilė Ribokaitė, Gabriele Cinti, Kevin Claudio Ponge Kassoma, Kristina Kunn, Mattia Bacchetti, Miriam Ifeoma Ngowi, Sadik Affo.
General coaching: Gildas Aleksa
Coaching: Maximien Aldebert, Susannah Iheme, Aistis Lansbergas
Video of the performance: Laura Norinkevičiūtė, Vygintas Mažeika, Tomas Garšva
Project management: Dainius Babilas, Agnė Kairytė - Timinskienė, Vida Bendoraitienė
Anti-racism training: Jūratė Gudliauskaitė – Godvadė, Jan Bahal
International collaboration: Janna Hadler, Sascha Düx, Marina Bistolfi
“I-CARE: InterCulture Against Racism in Europe 2017” is a Kaunas Cultural Centre of Various Nations project created in cooperation with ROOTS & ROUTES Cologne e. V. (Cologne, Germany) and Associazione Centro di Creazione e Cultura (Florence, Italy), funded by the European Union programme Erasmus+ and the programme ewoca³ by IBB e. V. that is funded by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and Stiftung Mercator, Department of National Minorities under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, Kaunas Municipality. The team also thanks Kaunas Chamber Theatre for support.
© 2017 Kaunas Cultural Centre of Various Nations, the international ROOTS & ROUTES network, all artists and participants.