The Republic of Artists

      The republic is one of the smallest in the world and has proclaimed itself the "Republic of Užupis".

      Uzupis is located in the center of the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, covering an area of ​​one square kilometer and with a population of 7 thousand people.

      What else is known about her?

      Lithuania was the first union republic to declare independence from the USSR in 1990. A few years later, Užupis declared its independence.

      Uzhupis means "across the river". To get to the microscopic republic, you have to cross the bridge over the Vilnius River.

      After the end of the Second World War, there were many empty houses in the area and the place had a bad reputation for a long time. But low rents have begun to attract artists here. These artists are working to revitalize the area. So they replaced the statue of Lenin with a bust of the musician Frank Zappa, who had never been to these places. With this symbolically begins the new life of the region.

      Two years later, on April 1, 1977, the artists declared the independence of Uzupis. According to them, it should be a dwarf state where everyone can live freely without adhering to social principles. Since then, the republic has had a mini-republican president, constitution, currency and national flag.

      After the initial negative reaction of the Lithuanian authorities, the government's opinion about the emergence of the Republic of Artists is changing - the authorities agree with its existence. But Uzupis still remains a self-proclaimed and unrecognized state.

       In recent years, the area has changed a lot - designer boutiques, stylish cafes and carefully decorated courtyards have appeared. This could no longer be called the "outskirts".

      Ironically, property prices in this area are now lagging behind those in the historic centre. And no artist can afford to buy a house here.

      Currently, this territory is an "art incubator" - the first of its kind in the Baltic countries; artists from all over the world come to Uzupis to create freely.

      The rules for residence in Uzupis are regulated by Article 41 of the Constitution. There we read, for example, that "cats are not obliged to love their owners, but they are obliged to support them in difficult times". The Constitution also guarantees the right to skepticism: "Everyone has the right to doubt, but is not obliged to do so."

      The constitution may seem ridiculous, but in this context its content makes sense. After 70 years of Soviet rule and trampling of freedoms, this constitution proclaims independent thinking and freedom of opinion. And this can be considered the first written postulate of human rights in post-Soviet Lithuania.

      On the first of April, the Independence Day of Uzupis is celebrated and the guests are greeted by "border guards" who put a seal that serves as an invitation to participate in the festivities on the occasion of the holiday.

       On the first of April, not water flows from a well in Uzupis, but beer, and in the mini-republic you can admire different works of art at every corner.

       Have you heard of such a republic?

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