The Other Same: In Paris, Prime Minister Opens up Season of Lithuania in France
On Friday Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė has officially opened the 2024 Season of Lithuania in France, inviting visitors to experience the modern Lithuania and its culture, thereby making closer connections between the two nations. As the Prime Minister has pointed out in her opening remarks, the Season’s motto, The Other Same, which plays to the main idea behind the programme - to see oneself in the other - is particularly meaningful, allowing us to see what bonds Lithuania and France together.
At the Pompidou Centre, the Prime Minister has acknowledged the profound influence of French culture, the Enlightenment, and modern democratic ideals on Europe and the world, including Lithuania, highlighting their continued relevance today.
‘So much has – or should have – changed through centuries, but the French motto Liberté, égalité, fraternité remains as relevant today as ever. With these very values in their hearts people of Ukraine sacrifice their lives to defend their freedom and ours. It is guided by these values that Moldova, Armenia, the people of Georgia, and the countries in Western Balkans are striving to be part of our European family, the family of light. It is these values that we, who are blessed to exercise them, should never take for granted and defend them every day, at all cost.
There is an old saying: when guns speak the muses fall silent. I couldn’t disagree more. In times of war, in dreadful times we hoped would never return to Europe, but in which we find ourselves now, the muses must speak lauder than ever. And that they do - awakening our feelings, screaming out and easing the pain, recording the darkest moments of our history in a universal language that only arts can speak,’ said the Prime Minister.
Ingrida Šimonytės has added that the artists, scientists, intellectuals and diplomats will invite their audiences in France to dive into difficult, and oftentimes sore but nevertheless important issues of common interest:
‘Through stories and experiences of their own and those of others, our artists and thinkers will give voice to those less seen and heard, and invite us all to liberate our imagination and think about the future. Will it be the one where light prevails over darkness? What awaits us if we fail today to see ourselves in others and to defend the most precious of our shared values – Liberté, égalité, fraternité – on the battlefield in Ukraine and at home, in our hearts and minds?’
The Head of the Lithuanian Government has thanked the French Institute in Paris and the Lithuanian Culture Institute for organising the 2024 Season of Lithuania in France, and the Government of France for their support. The Prime Minister has expressed her gratitude to all the artists, intellectuals, creative teams, patrons and institutions of art, culture and science of both countries involved in the events of the Season in France, also the Commissioner Dr. Virginija Vitkienė, Head of the National Museum of Lithuania, Dr. Rūta Kačkutė, and Head of MO Museum, Milda Ivanauskienė, for their participation in the Opening Event.
‘I also thank to all the amazing people who worked and continue working tirelessly, away from the spotlight, to make it a success,’ said the Prime Minister.
The 2024 Season of Lithuania in France will offer more than 200 events throughout France representing Lithuanian culture and celebrating the connection between the two countries, with the participation of more than 500 artists, performers and other representatives of the country, and the implementation of at least 130 bilateral cultural partnerships.
The Programme will cover a wide range of contemporary cultural phenomena, media, and topical themes, engaging and seeking to engage in creative explorations and reflecting on the past, the present, and possible future scenarios.