“Primavera en español” Is Back with a Jubilee Celebration
VMU festival of Spanish language and culture “Primavera en español” is coming back to Kaunas for the fifth consecutive year to be enjoyed over a period of 20-30 April. This major festival of Spanish culture in Lithuania is celebrating its first (5-year) jubilee with a fascinating variety of events.
Given that the main focus of the current festival is friendship across cultures, special attention is paid not only to Spanish culture, but also to all Hispanic countries in Latin America, to Italy as a closely related Mediterranean neighbour of Spain and to Lithuania where more and more Spanish-speaking people find their happiness. According to VMU student Gintarė Labotakytė, who is one of the organisers of the festival, the unique offer of 30 languages at VMU creates a favourable environment for learning about various cultures and cherishing cultural diversity. For her, “Primavera en español” is not only a two-week fiesta, but a festival of breaking stereotypes and fostering tolerance as well.
The opening of the festival will take place on 20 April when the organisers, participants and honourable guests of the event traditionally convene in VMU Aula Magna. The opening ceremony will include a greeting word by the representatives of the Spanish Embassy in Vilnius, an overview of the rich and diverse five-year history of „Primavera en español“ and a bouquet of inspiring and heart-warming Spanish songs from Giedrė Kelpšaitė. At the end of the opening event everybody will be offered some Spanish treat!
A significant novelty of this festival is a visit of a young, successful businessman Ignacio Ibarra Mendoza who is invited by the organisers of “Primavera en español” particularly to enrich the festival events with an insider’s view to Spanish culture. Mr. Ignacio Ibarra Mendoza will reveal his secret of how to be a successful businessman even in the time of economic crises by sharing his amazing story.
At the event of friendship across cultures Spaniards who have been living in Lithuania for quite a long time will share their impressions and experience of falling in love with Lithuania – the country of enduring rain and an omnipresent passion for basketball. As usual, “Primavera en español” will provide plenty of space for creativity and self-expression: VMU student Justė Kazbaraitytė will present her paintings which have been inspired by Spain. On the early Wednesday morning of 22 April a lecturer Gintarė Žukaitė will share her knowledge of Latin America. On 23 April, students will take part in the Spanish reading competition to celebrate the International Day of the Book. The first week of the festival will be completed with the contest on the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries where participants will have to really rack their brains to be the best.
At the beginning of the second week everyone will be invited to a Spanish breakfast relishing the opportunity to acquaint oneself with the marvellous cuisine of this country – bring your own home-made tortilla de patatas and join the competition! Further on agenda, a lecture of Spoken Spanish will teach the little known everyday phrases which will be useful when travelling or studying in Spain. High school students will not be forgotten as well. Rocío Cortes Gañan, who lives in Lithuania and promotes her native culture, will visit schools and teach the students some Spanish games. Differences and similarities of the apparently closely related countries – Spain and Italy – will be revealed and discussed by students who take courses of Spanish and Italian. To indulge oneself in a Mexican style rejoicing and festivity one is invited to a cheerful event at the restaurant “Agave” in Kaunas Old town.
A real Spanish fiesta will arrive at the culmination of the jubilee festival where Martynas Kavaliauskas, a rising star of Lithuania pop stage, will present his programme of Spanish songs. A festive cake and plenty of dancing are also awaiting your attention.
The festival is organized by Miguel de Cervantes Spanish Language and Culture Club and VMU Institute of Foreign Languages in collaboration with the Spanish Embassy in Vilnius. Born in 2011, the idea of the Spanish festival in Kaunas has been annually returning with colourful and diverse events thanks to the effort and initiative of active students and lecturers.
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