The Urban Cultural Planning project was funded by Interreg and locally led by Vilnius Tech University. Together with my colleague Ineta Pliekaitytė, I took up the role of researcher and co-led monthly workshops with the Šnipiškės community. In 2020, marked by lockdown, the workshops sought ways to reach the community remotely while keeping a tactile, place-based element. We wanted to offer the community a break from the digital and create a different way to connect with us.
To introduce ourselves, together with local artist Pizinas, we produced 30 plywood cats that were placed around the neighbourhood. Each cat carried a note inviting people to take it home and participate in Cultural Probe exercises contained in envelopes attached to them. This approach gave us insights into people’s lives and allowed us to connect in a new, semi-digital way.
We also left notes, set up boxes with instructions for making Christmas decorations and Advent calendars, and encouraged small acts of kindness for neighbours.
As preparation for the spring workshop, we organised a brainstorming session where residents were invited to share their ideas for public space use. Building on this, we created a small community garden, fenced off a play area from the parking road, and knitted nests for children’s play, as well as cosy, safe spaces for rest.
Photos and video by Gvidas Bindokas and Mantas Narkevičius
Urban Cultural Planning project by Interreg
Partners in Lithuania: Vilnius Tech University, lead by Jekaterina Lavrinec
Researchers and Community Managers: Ineta Pliekaitytė and Ieva Šimkonytė
In collaboration with local artist Pijus Čeikauskas (pijinas)