Uzupis-Beyonnd The River Vilnius Lithuania

 

UZUPIS

"BEYOND THE RIVER"

 VILNIUS LITHUANIA

You will find Uzupis over the Vilnius River in Vilnius Lithuania and it is well worth a visit. The area was mostly occupied by Jewish people prior to WW2 and most were killed during WW2 and the area and houses were left abandoned and later occupied by homeless and prostitutes. When Lithuania declared independence in 1990 it was the most neglected area in the city but since then it developed as a place for artists and Bohemian people. In 1998 , the residents declared itself a “Republic” with its own flag, unofficial currency, cabinet ministers and tongue in cheek Constitution. It has even provided honorary citizenship to notable people such as the 14^th Dalai Lama. The residents celebrate Uzupis Day every April 1st.

Going in to Uzupis across the Vilnius River

The Angel of Uzupis stands in a small square and was installed in April 2002 and shows an Angel on a column blowing a trumpet.

St Bartholomew’s Church in Uzupis is worthy of a look. It is quite small and tucked away in a courtyard and serves the small Belarusian Catholic community in Vilnius.

Leaving Uzupis across the river

The flag is the palm of a hand on a white background and each season the palm colour changes.

 

The Tongue in Cheek Constitution

1.     Everyone has the right to live by the River Vilnelė, and the River Vilnelė has the right to flow by everyone.

2.     Everyone has the right to hot water, heating in winter and a tiled roof.

3.     Everyone has the right to die, but this is not an obligation.

4.     Everyone has the right to make mistakes.

5.     Everyone has the right to be unique.

6.     Everyone has the right to love.

7.     Everyone has the right not to be loved, but not necessarily.

8.     Everyone has the right to be undistinguished and unknown.

9.     Everyone has the right to idle.

10.  Everyone has the right to love and take care of the cat.

11.  Everyone has the right to look after the dog until one of them dies.

12.  A dog has the right to be a dog.

13.  A cat is not obliged to love its owner, but must help in time of nee[d].

14.  Sometimes everyone has the right to be unaware of their duties.

15.  Everyone has the right to be in doubt, but this is not an obligation.

16.  Everyone has the right to be happy.

17.  Everyone has the right to be unhappy.

18.  Everyone has the right to be silent.

19.  Everyone has the right to have faith.

20.  No one has the right to violence.

21.  Everyone has the right to appreciate their unimportance. 

22.  No one has the right to have a design on eternity.

23.  Everyone has the right to understand.

24.  Everyone has the right to understand nothing.

25.  Everyone has the right to be of any nationality.

26.  Everyone has the right to celebrate or not celebrate their birthday.

27.  Everyone shall remember their name.

28.  Everyone may share what they possess.

29.  No one can share what they do not possess.

30.  Everyone has the right to have brothers, sisters and parents.

31.  Everyone may be independent.

32.  Everyone is responsible for their freedom.

33.  Everyone has the right to cry.

34.  Everyone has the right to be misunderstood.

35.  No one has the right to make another person guilty.

36.  Everyone has the right to be individual.

37.  Everyone has the right to have no rights.

38.  Everyone has the right to not to be afraid.

39.  Do not defeat.

40.  Do not fight back.

41.  Do not surrender.

 We stayed  in the newer part of town only a short walk to Uzupis at

COURTYARD by MARRIOTT VILNIUS CITY CENTER

This was a very good hotel with a great restaurant