UŽUPIS-A TINY REPUBLIC IN VILNIUS, LITHUANIA

 UZUPIS

 Užupis is one of the tiniest republics in the world. It's located in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, a city we visited in September. My first thought, when I recently read an article read about it, is that we might have missed this small “nation” of free spirits. Then I remembered the quirky little Bohemian neighborhood (1 sq. km.) with a population of 7,000 where we strolled along the cobblestone streets and returned to enjoy the quaint outdoor cafes. One out of seven of the residents are artists, which explains the abundance of sculptures,  colorful wall murals, and art galleries. 

When Vilnius (pop.575,000) finally received independence from Russia in the 1990s, a group of locals got together to form a republic—kind of tongue in cheek, but not really. Užupis is not formally recognized by any other government, however, it has become a source of pride in Vilnius and throughout Lithuania. From 1941, when the Soviet Union invaded Lithuania, there was heavy censorship and many writers and artists were imprisoned. After 1990 came Lithuanian independence and restoration--art and literature once again flourished, free of forced ideology. Since 2002, The Angel of Uzupis (sculptor, Romas Vilčiauskas), has stood in the main square blowing a trumpet, and sending a message to the world that artistic independence is back in Eastern Europe after many years of oppression.

THE ANGEL OF UZUPIS

The Užupis Constitution, written in several languages, is posted on

mirrored plaques along a wall for everyone to see. It was written in a few hours by Tomas Čepaitis and Romas Lileikis in 1998 at the Republic's Parliament Bar, where the government meetings still convene most Friday evenings. The day they wrote it, Tomas couldn't get hot water at his home which explains why one of the 41 clauses is: Everyone has the right to hot water....” Others include: “Everyone has a right to celebrate their birthday or not celebrate their birthday.-----Everyone has a right to die, but this is not an obligation.------Everyone has the right to understand.----- Everyone has the right to understand nothing.-----People have the right to live by the River Vilhele, while the River Vilhele has the right to flow past people.”

BRIDGE TO UZUPIS

If I return to Vilnius again, it will be on April Fool's Day, or Užupis Independence Day, as locals call it. In addition to concerts and parades, this is the one day that travelers get their passports stamped as they cross the bridge into the Republic. They will also use the local (unofficial) currency and treat themselves to beer that flows from the water spout at the main square.

DOOR IN UZUPIS LITHUANIA