Šiauliai pažino 𝑠𝑎̀𝑣𝑎 architektūrą

Abstract

The organisers of the Open Weekend of Architecture in Smaller Cities of Lithuania, under the slogan "Explore 𝑠𝑎̀𝑣𝑎 (your) architecture", invited people to come to Northern Lithuania, to Šiauliai to experience the unique things this city has accumulated during its lifetime. And of course, not just any things, but architecture! On 24-25 September, visitors could visit 15 buildings of exceptional architecture and listen to their stories, as told bv the event's mentors in a guided tour format. Volunteer guides in brick-red T-shirts, as well as crowds of people queueing to visit each building, could be seen near well-known landmarks of the city, such as the Frenkel Villa, the Central Post Office or the Šiauliai County Fire and Rescue Station. The number of visitors through all the buildings was record-high with 7,800 total visits, 460 free guided tours, 5 of them in Ukrainian and 1 in sign language, attracting around 100 visitors. The main purpose of the event was educational, i.e. to encourage the public to learn more about the architecture of their city or region: the architects who created it, their ideas, thoughts, and the concepts that have been implemented in the form of buildings.