Artists presented the ‘El Dorado’ installation on migration topic at Sapieha Palace

On the evening of June 19, the eve of World Refugee Day, artists invited the public to immerse themselves in the “El Dorado” installation on the theme of migration at Sapieha Palace.

Artists Barbora Matonytė, Denisas Kolomyckis, and Liudvikas Kesminas, who present themselves as the .XYZ Collective, along with the arts agency Artscape, prepared an installation aimed at drawing public attention to the challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers. The installation was open to anyone interested.

Following the artistic event, a discussion took place during which young creators who had come to live in Lithuania shared their experiences and challenges in creating art and building their lives in a new country.

The event, organized by the Ministry of Social Security and Labor of the Republic of Lithuania and the arts agency Artscape, aimed to celebrate the contributions, creativity, and resilience of refugees and asylum seekers, as well as to promote public awareness.

Along the path of the installation

The “El Dorado” installation aimed to draw attention to the refugee crisis, the challenges they face, and the bureaucratic obstacles and cultural barriers. “Participants’ experiences simulate the journey of refugees—from document checks to psychological pressure and uncertainty. It is an artistic attempt to reveal the experiences of refugees and to promote empathy and understanding in society,” say the artists of the .XYZ Collective.

“Refugees who leave their homes due to difficult conditions face various integration challenges. The aim of this artistic action is to provide a small glimpse into the feelings experienced by people caught up in the bureaucratic apparatus. Later, during the discussion, attendees will hear firsthand how lives are being built and artistic activities are being conducted in a new country,” says Aistė Ulubey, head of the arts agency Artscape.

The .XYZ Collective was born out of a desire to create an alternative to mainstream galleries and institutions, offering an opportunity to experiment and showcase their work, challenging established art norms and expanding conventional exhibition and thematic boundaries.

This is the second artistic collaboration between this collective and Artscape on social themes. Last year, the artists presented a powerful performance at the MO Museum to support the victims of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.

Refugee Youth in Lithuania

During the discussion “Migration through the Eyes of Young Creators: Challenges and Opportunities,” refugee youth living in Lithuania shared their experiences.

Musician Kadhim Al-Farttoosi, who arrived from Iraq to Lithuania a few years ago, Katya Kononenko, an abstract painter and graphic artist from Ukraine, and podcast creator and music enthusiast Yauhen Ihnatsyeu from Belarus, participated in the discussion.

They shared thoughts on how everyone has a different relationship with the word “refugee.”

“The term ‘refugee’ itself carries an inherent sense of insecurity, even though it means seeking refuge. In reality, at some point in life, everyone needs refuge; it’s a human right, something natural. Over time, I found peace in being a refugee. I strive to create a positive image of refugees. Those who should be ashamed are those who commit unimaginably terrible acts in the world, not refugees,” said Kadhim.

The event at Sapieha Palace is part of the Rhythm of Cultures festival. Rhythm of Cultures embodies the idea that different cultures have their unique rhythms reflecting their traditions, experiences, and expressions. Under this theme, people are invited for the second consecutive year to celebrate World Refugee Day on June 20 at a free music festival in Bernardine Courtyard, Vilnius. See the program here.

From June 13-20, Lithuania is observing Refugee Week, during which various organizations invite everyone to celebrate the contributions, creativity, and resilience of refugees and asylum seekers through various events.

The festival is funded by the European Union.

Organizers: Ministry of Social Security and Labor of the Republic of Lithuania and arts agency ARTSCAPE. Major partner: United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Partners: Vilnius City Municipality, Lithuanian Council for Culture.

Photo credit: Zura Basheleishvili