In April, renowned Lithuanian pianist Muza Rubackite will perform in Astana. The Lithuanian ambassador explained how cultural diplomacy works and why a single concert can open up an entire country.
Egidijus Navikas, Astana, Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania to the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the Republic of Tajikistan,
@ltinkaz
Cultural Diplomacy
Diplomacy encompasses many areas. Political diplomacy forms the foundation of relations between states. There is economic diplomacy and consular diplomacy. However, there is one area that plays a special role: cultural diplomacy. It is through culture that countries find common ground, get to know each other better, and begin to understand their partners’ values and traditions.
My task as a diplomat is to strengthen mutual understanding between Lithuania and Kazakhstan. This is particularly easy to achieve in the cultural sphere, because cultural projects are always open to a broad audience. Politics and economics tend to involve narrow professional circles, whereas cultural events allow a much larger number of people to get to know a country, its art, music, and traditions.
Sometimes older generations in Kazakhstan say they know Lithuania well. They recall trips to Vilnius or the Baltic coast back in Soviet times and often say that back then it felt like a trip to the West. Such memories are also part of our mutual knowledge and interest in one another.
Our task today is to introduce the Kazakh audience to Lithuanian culture and art. We strive to organize one major project and several smaller events every year.
About Our Events
Among our smaller projects are film screenings. Sometimes we organize them ourselves, and other times we participate in European film festivals. We also take part in international cultural events, such as the Francophonie Festival, where countries showcase their culture through film, music, and other projects.
Another area of focus is participating in community events and fairs. For example, in December we traditionally take part in the Christmas charity bazaar, and in May — in the celebration of Europe Day. At such events, people can get acquainted with the cuisines of different countries, try national dishes, see souvenirs, and simply learn more about cultures
Another focus of our cultural work is our ongoing traveling exhibitions about Lithuania. One of them is called “Unseen Lithuania”. This is a photo project by the renowned Lithuanian photographer Marius Jovais, which showcases the country from an unusual perspective — a bird’s-eye view. Most of the photos were taken from airplanes, helicopters, gliders, and even hot air balloons. Over the course of several months, the photographer took thousands of photos to showcase Lithuania’s nature, cities, and architectural landmarks from a completely new perspective.
This exhibition is a convenient and important cultural tool for us. It is not tied to a single city; on the contrary, it “travels” throughout Kazakhstan. We bring it to different regions and display it at universities, museums, and cultural centers. Thanks to this, people can get to know Lithuania’s nature, its cities, and historical sites. We have already shown this exhibition in Atyrau, Uralsk, Kostanay, Petropavlovsk, and Aktau.
I enjoy seeing the visitors’ reactions. Sometimes people admit that they knew almost nothing about Lithuania before, but after the exhibition, they start taking an interest in the country, its culture, and its history. In moments like these, you realize that cultural diplomacy really does work.
Among last year’s major cultural projects was an exhibition at the National Museum of Kazakhstan dedicated to the outstanding Lithuanian artist and composer Mikolajus Konstantinas Ciurlionis. He was a unique figure in European culture — he was both a painter and a composer. We presented reproductions of his works and discussed the philosophy behind his art and the connection between music and painting. The exhibition was timed to coincide with the 150th anniversary of his birth and generated great interest among visitors.
About Muza Rubackite's Concert
This year, we are preparing another major cultural event. In April, the Kuanyshbayev Kazakh Music and Drama Theater will host a concert by the renowned Lithuanian pianist Muza Rubatskite. She has spent most of her career in France, so her performance will serve as a unique cultural bridge between Lithuania and France as part of the Francophonie Festival.
The concert program will feature works by Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis, Claude Debussy, and Franz Liszt — a unique musical journey from Vilnius through Paris to Italy.
I am particularly pleased that we were able to invite this outstanding artist. I wasn’t sure she would be able to accept the invitation, since she is constantly performing in various European countries. But she responded and agreed to come.
Cultural projects like these help people get to know one another better. Sometimes a single concert, exhibition, or film is enough to open one’s eyes to an entire country. And that is precisely where the true power of cultural diplomacy lies.
