Independence Day Celebration of the Artists’ Republic of Užupis

The “Artists’ Republic” is Užupis, a district on the edge of the historic old town of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. Thanks to its high concentration of artists working in a wide range of disciplines, Vilnius’s artists’ district has a culturally rich atmosphere. The Independence Day celebration of the Artists’ Republic of Užupis also grew out of an artistic endeavor: a group of local artists proclaimed the independent Artists’ Republic of Užupis as part of an art project, complete with its own constitution, national flag, and president. They even thought of establishing an “army,” which numbered 12 men, but it was soon disbanded. The Užupis Kavine café in the district serves as the parliament building. You can read the republic’s constitution in the café, where it is inscribed on a bronze plaque. The individual articles of the constitution make it clear, at the very latest, that this is an artistic project—one to be approached with a knowing smile, but also with due cultural respect.

Anyone interested in art and culture who is in Vilnius in early April should visit the artists’ district on April 1 for the Independence Day celebration of the Artists’ Republic of Užupis. You’ll quickly discover that Lithuanian artists can be very creative and resourceful. Elections and parades are held, the republic’s currency is presented, and even “border checks” take place. On April 1, 2001, a sculpture depicting an angel playing a trumpet was unveiled in the district’s main square as part of the celebrations. It represents renewal and artistic freedom. Since then, Užupis has also been known as “the Republic of Angels.”