Užupis

Užupis is a neighborhood on the edge of the old town of Vilnius, capital of Lithuania. The name means " beyond the river " ( už = behind, MSRP = river). It involves the Vilnia or Vilnelė that gives the city its name Vilnius. Užupis is a small and enclosed area with about 0.6 km ². On three sides it is separated by the river from the old town, on one side there are steep mountains and created during the Soviet period of industrial premises.

History

The district was formerly inhabited by Jews. It was only in the 16th century, the first bridges were thrown across the river. A large part of the original population came around during the Holocaust, the Jewish cemetery was destroyed by the Soviets. The empty houses were occupied by criminals, the homeless and prostitutes. Before the Lithuanian Declaration of Independence in 1990 was the district one of the most neglected parts of the city, many homes had no electricity or sanitation.

Artist colony

In the 1990s the neighborhood has changed fundamentally. From the district a popular residential area for the urban artists and their bohemian has become. There are numerous art galleries, workshops and cafes. Sometimes Užupis is compared with the artists' quarter of Montmartre in Paris, which is also a partnership. The artists try to strengthen the sense of community through art and festivals. The structure of the community began with the construction of a monument to Frank Zappa in Vilnius, outside Užupis.

Some residents called as an art action of the independent Republic of Užupis that has a constitution, a flag and a president. The twelve -man army was redissolved because no one was afraid of the Republic. The parliament building is Café Užupio kavinė ( "Café of Užupis " ), there is on a bronze plaque has been laid down the Constitution:

Independence is celebrated every year on April 1. On this day Užupis holds elections and removals. There is only on this day has its own currency and border controls. On April 1, 2001, a monument was unveiled in the main square of the district, which has become a new symbol of Užupis. The sculpture depicts an angel playing trumpet playing symbolizes the renewal and the artistic freedom of the neighborhood. Since then Užupis is also known as "Angel Republic ".

Reception in the film

• Lithuania: Artists Republic Uzupis. TV report, Germany, Lithuania, 2009, 4:50 min, written and directed by Claudia Buck Maier, series: Europe Magazine, Production: SWR, broadcast: January 10, 2009