INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY H.E. AMBASSADOR VIDMANTAS PURLYS AT THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION “INDEPENDENT STORIES” AT THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION REPRESENTATION IN IRELAND, 10 SEPTEMBER 2013
Deputy Lord Mayor,
Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am delighted to welcome you at the opening of the exhibition “Independent Stories”. I would first of all like to thank Barbara and the European Commission Representation for hosting this exhibition and opening event today.
I first saw it in Brussels at the Berlaymont in 2009, when the Millennium of Lithuania was celebrated. I thought it was a very unique and interesting take on Europe and a welcome initiative by a group of renowned Lithuanian artists. So it was my intention to bring it to Ireland, once I find out I was coming here. Here it is, I am very happy I could do it.
These are original pieces from 2009 with one important recent addition, specially created for the display in Ireland, and that is the Croatian theme. So this is the first public display of 29 artworks.
These artworks are artistic interpretations of European flags, through personal experiences of their creators. Each piece was created by a group of artists. Some of these associations are straightforward, others are more abstract. Taken together they make, in my view, a very vivid, harmonious collection of paintings.
This exhibition marks the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It represents our view on Europe well, and our strong attachment to the EU. Europe to us is not only a geographical expression or an economic entity. It is also about - to use the quote of Jean Monnet - “building Europe among people”, through the medium of human exchange, art and culture.
Although we hold our national flag high, as Presidency, we do not confine ourselves to the Lithuanian tricolour, just like in this exhibition. We strive to contribute to the common good of a credible, growing and open EU.
