2022 is the year of Kaunas as "European Capital of Culture" 

Dear friends, I would like to introduce myself: I am Kristina Ancutaitė, a ceramist, architect, lecturer, member of the Union of Lithuanian Artists, and head of the ceramics department of the city of Kaunas. Fate introduced me to Anna Rita Fasano during a twinning event between the cities of Kaunas and Cava de' Tirreni during the lockdown for Covid19. I am very grateful to Anna Rita for the opportunity she gave us to participate in the Matres Festival and other great events. During this outstanding project, I would like to introduce the identity of Lithuania, which is a country of creative women who are very active in cultural and social life. Lithuania has a long ceramic tradition ranging from black pottery, which is the oldest and most popular in our country, to Raku pottery, reductions, and porcelain products. Ceramic artists are trained at the Lithuanian Academy of Arts and many of them have been recognized worldwide, but the largest and most active part is women. So attending the Matres Festival is sure to be a very interesting and rewarding experience. This is not a good time for anyone but especially not an easy time for artists, who have suspended exhibitions and sales due to the pandemic. However, a new experience induces us to participate, to endure and strive to achieve our goals. Lithuania reopens and life resumes its path. I believe that our experience will flow into new works and new exhibitions. So this chorality and communion of purpose takes on great value. Kaunas, located right in the center of Lithuania as the former temporary capital and second largest and most important city in the country, is called the city of science, creativity and students. Located at the junction of two rivers, Kaunas has a cozy historic center mentioned as early as the 10th century and now has a population of about 300,000. 2022 is Kaunas' year as "European Capital of Culture." The city is preparing for this joyous event. Exhibitions of professional Lithuanian ceramics, fairs, educational events, and many other cultural celebrations are planned. We intend to present a program of "Italian Days" in connection with the city of Cava de' Tirreni. We will be happy to welcome all of you, to have the opportunity to be together and, as I hope, to enjoy the freedom to communicate and embrace each other. Our city invites all guests to learn, explore, listen, touch and taste our culture and to create TOGETHER.
We intend to involve all guests and residents in the creative transformation of the city. Kaunas hides a mystery that needs to be discovered. I invite everyone to dive into the wonderful discoveries of our city next year.
Kaunas 2022 invites you to a hospitable city with a special aura full of culture and creativity - the modern former capital has not lost the charm of its old cozy corners. We will be happy to go together with all of you to discover the extraordinary places of Kaunas-22 - the European Capital of Culture!
I hope the day will come when we will be ready to invite you to organize the Matres Festival in Lithuania: an event revolving around the woman creator, artist and mother who nourishes the world, brings peace and unites everyone under a noble cause. This is another new topic in the sphere of Lithuanian contemporary art. We are taking the first steps. However, we are open to talk, discuss and exchange new ideas. We are also trying to contribute to your great European mission. So it would be nice to discover all this together with you. Best regards, Kristina