On August 24, Ukraine's Independence will be celebrated. Unfortunately, the celebrations in the country were not possible due to the ongoing fighting.
The Lithuanian capital came to help, as its citizens have been vocally supporting Ukraine since the beginning of the war. These include humanitarian and financial aid missions and initiatives to support and provide housing to refugees. Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, launched an initiative to hold a rave.
The rave will be headlined by the world-famous Ukrainian techno DJ duo ARTBAT. The rave includes several big concerts and a multimedia art project.
One of the concerts on a sign of solidarity will take place in the pool near the White Bridge. The famous Ukrainian judges will ask the citizens and guests of Vilnius to show their support for Ukraine. The DJs Miss Monique and 8kays will perform at the game in front of the ARTBAT DJs.
"Since we ourselves have long sought freedom, we are well aware of the importance of Independence Day for the Ukrainians of this year. They have been choosing the right to be citizens of a free and independent country for some time now. The courage and determination of the Ukrainians has inspired us all, and the least we can do is to continue to give them all possible support," said Vilnius Mayor Remigijus Šimasius.
Throughout the rave, the foundation Music Saves UA, created by the Ukrainian association of musical events, will collect humanitarian aid for victims of military action.
"I am very happy to see so many people supporting the Ukrainians in Lithuania. This is a sign of friendship between our peoples. This year we celebrate this day in Lithuania, but I hope we will be able to celebrate the Independence Day in Kyiv next year at the same time", commented Oleksandr Sanchenko, a member of the Supreme Soviet and the head of the Music Saves UA Foundation.
Later the same day, Lithuanian and Ukrainian musicians will perform a free concert at Vilnius City Hall. Among the performers will be the Lithuanian Thundertale, the Ukrainian Taruta and the international men's choir Unia (artistic director Pavlo Honca).
The final show, a multimedia art project "Walls Have Ears", will conclude with a remarkable video and musical interpretation of classic Ukrainian works under the general title "Quiti and Gunpowder".
The Lithuanian musicians - pianist Darius Mazhintas and drummer Adas Gechevicius - together with French bassist, composer and vocalist Ieva Barbora Yozapaitė present a modern interpretation of famous works by Ukrainian composers.
Video artist Andrius Selyuta is preparing a special premiere for this event. He creates realities and memories of the people of Ukraine with the help of documentary footage of the war zone and, following his own artistic method, transforms the walls of the City Hall into his own window into Ukraine.
During the concert, visual artist Vitautas Žarnauskas will create a striking video installation, which will evoke the familiar, conservative space with the help of modern technology. The installation will be a unique culmination of the rave and a surprise for the participants.
