We have uncovered the sculpture of the painter Petras Repšys “Užupio obeliskas” dedicated to poet Sigitas Geda
On May 29, at the intersection of Užupio and Krivių streets in Užupis, the unveiling ceremony of the sculpture “Užupio Obeliskas” by artist Petras Repšys, dedicated to the poet Sigitas Geda and installed by Naresta, took place.
The idea to create a memorial sign dedicated to the poet Sigitas Geda — the sculpture “Užupio Obeliskas” — was conceived in 2011 by Petras Repšys, a well-known Lithuanian artist and laureate of the National Prize for Culture and Art. During the ceremony of the unveiling of the sculpture, Petras Repšys memorized the poems of Sigitas Geda and emphasized that the creative process was long: “What mattered to me was the world of Sigitas Geda’s creative work — it was important to convey it. As a friend of Sigitas, I have been involved in this creative process for more than ten years.
The obelisk created by the artist Petras Rapšys is a symbol of the memory of the poet and his imaginary mythological world. he words of S. Geda engraved on the monument: “I bring you the pure sacrifice of the word,” serve as a reminder that culture is not only about enjoyment, but also about respect for its creators and enduring values.
“Monuments do not speak loudly, but they speak for a long time. I believe that this will become a place where we will stop not only to remember, but also to think,” says Arūnas Šlenys, founder and chairman of the board of Naresta.
A large group of guests participated in the ceremony of the unveiling of the sculpture “Užupio obeliskas”: Minister of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania Šarūnas Birutis, Mayor of Vilnius City Municipality Valdas Benkunskas, President of the Republic of Užupis Romas Lileikis, Professor Vytautas Landsbergis, priest and publicist Julius Sasnauskas, musicologist and conductor Donatas Katkus, residents of Užupis Republic. Art historian Saulius Pilinkus led the unveiling ceremony.
After the ceremony, the opening of the exhibition of works by the artist Petras Repšys dedicated to Sigitas Geda took place.
