(Kaunas) Misterija ''Dievai ir žmonės''

Baltic mystery “Gods and Humans”

For the 150th anniversary of M. K. Čiurlionis

One of the most spectacular musical performances of the ensemble "Lietuva" - the mystery "Gods and Humans", beloved by the audience, returns to the stage. This autumn, performances will take place in three cities only - on 11 October in Vilnius, on 24 October in Klaipėda and on 7 November in Kaunas.

It is a contemporary interpretation of Baltic culture, combining old hymns and electronic music, modern and classical dance, and ritual ceremonies. We will see an expanded, innovative set design with multi-layered projections creating a three-dimensional visual impression, with collages of paintings by Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis coming to life.

The more distant the past, the more enigmatic and mysterious it becomes - we are trying to "decode" it. By studying myths, old songs and hymns, by correlating the texts of chronicles, many of the Baltic codes "speak". We are looking with great respect at the past through the wide gates of imagination, through the eyes of 21st century people.

The mystery performance, which was first performed in 2019, and its numerous tours in Lithuania have attracted full houses of spectators, culture and art lovers, and foreign visitors. The spectacle left no one indifferent: it moved people to tears, it amazed with the suggestiveness of the scenography, and impressed with the professionalism of the performers and the talent of the creators.

"Everything is real, deep, has many recognisable signs, and not only from the old Lithuanian worldview... The finale with Čiurlionis's "Fairy Tale of Kings" is worth it alone," admired the Lithuanian ethnomusicologist, Doctor of Humanities, the Vilnius Romuva Votary and the Chair of the Council for the Protection of Ethnic Culture, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dalia Urbanavičienė.

The mystery play "Gods and Humans" depicts the archaic Baltic worldview of the people - their relationship with religion, tribe, various customs and rituals. This is revealed in the old legend of the love story of the holy fire-keeper priestess and a nobleman, which is full of passion and painful experiences. Perhaps the most intimate scene of the mystery is the act of love. The dance subtly depicts the birth of life - the power planted in man by the gods to create another human being.

The mystery features original electronic compositions by composers Linas Rimša and Aras Žvirblys. The composers also create refinements of archaic hymns, Lithuanian folk songs and sutartinės.

The director of the play, Leokadija Dabužinskaitė, a laureate of the Government Culture and Art award, who was awarded the Knight's Cross "For Contributions to Lithuania" by President Dalia Grybauskaitė, conceived the idea of “decoding” the Baltic culture. She is one of the best-known directors and choreographers of Lithuanian song festivals, and various other events, who strives to reveal the deep meanings of the life of the Lithuanian people and their significance in the modern world. Dabužinskaitė has also directed other Lithuanian programmes, including the concert "Dainuojanti laisvė", the oratorio "13" dedicated to the Defenders of Freedom and the concert "Eisva mudu abudu".

Modern dance choreography was created by a well-known Latvian Song Festival choreographer Agris Danilevičs, who is also founder of contemporary dance school “Dzirnas”. Other dance choreographers: Agnė Rickevičienė, Sandra Muningytė – Domingo, the director Leokadija Dabužinskaitė and the prize winner of the dance competitions Dainius Biskis.

The audience will see reconstructed archaeological and historical costumes of ancient Baltic tribes. The designer of the play is Daiva Samajauskaitė, a well-known theatre set designer who was awarded the Golden Stage Cross. The visuals for the video projections were created by artist Rimas Sakalauskas, who has also been awarded the Golden Stage Cross several times. The author of some of the texts is Vladas Braziūnas – a poet, translator and laureate of the Lithuanian National Prize for Culture and Art.

Beside the state ensemble LIETUVA, there are also guest performers in the mystery: folklore soloists, dancers and actors.

CREATIVE TEAM:

Author of the idea and director: Leokadija Dabužinskaitė

Composers: Linas Rimša and Aras Žvirblys

Choreographers: Agris Danilevičs, Sandra Muningytė - Domingo, Agnė Rickevičienė, Dainius Biskis, Leokadija Dabužinskaitė

Costume and set designer: Daiva Samajauskaitė

Video projection designer: Rimas Sakalauskas

Lighting artist: Vilius Vilutis

Author of part of the texts: Vladas Braziūnas

Rehearser - choreographer: Loreta Putvinskaitė-Vičienė

Assistant Director: Giedrė Kriaučionytė-Vosylienė

PARTICIPANTS:

Performers: choir and dance groups of the state ensemble "Lietuva"

Soloists: singers Rasa Serra, Airida Mockutė-Burkauskienė, Valentinas Krulikovskis, Milda Pieškutė (VU ensemble "Ratilio"), Saulius Vasiliauskis, Donatas Kaikaris, dancers Greta Frolovaitė, Adam Czaplis, Aušra Krasauskaite / Urtė Bareišytė-Žuromskienė, Simonas Laukaitis and others

THANKS TO: The National M.K. Čiurlionis Museum of Art for digital copies of the artist's works