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NEWS
Collection of paintings from St. Jurgio’s Art Gallery at Veisieja (Lithuania)On display at Riga St. Peter’s church from 5 until 26 November
Veisieja is a village in Dzukijos region, located close to the Lithuanian-Polish border. Encircled by two lakes and picturesque hills, Veisieja is one of the most scenic villages in Lithuania. The area is known for its sandy fallows, which present an astonishing variety of wild flowers, as well as for its abundance of mushrooms and berries.The people of Veisieja appreciate art, and the village houses an arts workshop every spring. To the population of the neighbourhood, these workshops have become one of the most important events of the year. Here, painters, woodcarvers and blacksmiths are warmly welcomed to put aside all cares and devote themselves to creative work in the delightful company of fellow artists from Lithuania, as well as from Latvia, Belarus, Russia, and Poland. It is a tradition that each painter contributes one painting to St. Jurgio’s Art Gallery. St. Jurgio (in English – George) is both the spiritual patron and the symbol of the gallery. In honour of this saint from a Christian legend, a church has been built on top of the highest hill in the village. Therefore, the workshop each year is opened by a service. Workshops are organized and conducted by a former teacher Vitautas Zhukauskas. He is a painter and a handyman, who has restored the Silaine manor with his own hand.This exhibition has been organized with the kind help of Richard Deguitis, the ambassador of Lithuania. The exhibition features a selection of paintings from various years of Veisieja workshops. Paintings by Latvian artists are also included. The collection is rich and diverse, and it has already received recognition by arts connoisseurs in Kaunas and Vilnius. Lithuanians hope that Latvians will also find this exhibition enriching and enjoyable.Jānis Streičs.More information: www.peterbaznica.riga.lv
