CULTURE TO COURTYARDS

"Culture to Courtyards" is a series of events during which professional music performances are brought directly to people's living environment. The idea originated in 2020 during the pandemic period, when opportunities to attend concerts or events were simply non-existent. At that time, this initiative in the courtyards of apartment blocks seemed like a breath of fresh air both for artists and performers, as well as the audience.

The project aims to:

• Decentralize culture - disseminate it from the city center to suburbs.
• Increase the visibility and accessibility of culture to people who, for various reasons, cannot participate in events.
• Overcome non-traditional public spaces (courtyards).
• Promote interactive long-term professional music knowledge through a direct informal relationship between performers and listeners.

The unique "Culture to Courtyards" program includes events for every viewer's taste: from interactive activities for children (creative kite, bubble workshops), contemporary dance performances, photography exhibitions to solo and group concerts. In 2022, more than 80 courtyards in Kaunas hosted musical performances by 240 Lithuanian and 27 foreign professionals, attracting more than 10 thousand visitors.

The project was noticed beyond Lithuania: it was selected among the top ten best projects fighting the pandemic in Europe by the Policy Innovation Institute Awards, and in 2021, the initiative was rated as the most unique music project in the world by the "Classical: NEXT 2021 Innovation Award".

Although the European Capital of Culture year has ended, there is a great need from both communities and performers for the "Culture to Courtyards" project to continue. We aim for the courtyards to once again become a scene for professional culture and for this change-carrying tradition to continue.

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CULTURE TO COURTYARDS VIDEO | 2020 | 2022