Five years ago, the author of the idea of this sculpture was the well-known Ignalina sculptor Jonas Grunda, who studied in the same class with V. Šerėnas in his youth. Unfortunately, the sculptor died in the spring of this year, and the work he started was continued by the members of the “Gavaičio kutas” community of Ignalina.
The most famous people from Ignalin are V. Šerėnas and Bratkos
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According to Volanda Raupelytė-Chailova, one of the initiators, the sculptor spontaneously managed to create a very expressive, witty sculpture for his long-time friend V. Šerėnais, who, thanks to his talent and love for this land, embodied the expressive features of the people of Ignalina, which today the whole of Lithuania recognizes.
“When Vytautas played Bratkas, the whole of Lithuania heard that he had such Ignalinian speech – very strange, funny, sometimes ear-splitting and unnerving, but at the same time very charming. It was V. Šerėnas who made her famous. Therefore, these sculptures at the same time immortalize him, our speaker, and the old people of the region, of whom there are fewer and fewer today,” said V. Raupelytė-Chailova.
She also remembered that these two characters of V. Šerėnas also had real prototypes – they are his own father and uncle. That is why, according to the interlocutor, these Bratkas are so well recognized and dear in their own way to Ignalinians.
“Our country really deserves V. Šerėnas, so who else, if not him, should we build a sculpture in Ignalina”, asked V. Raupelytė-Chailova rhetorically.
During his youth, V. Šerėnas used to go to school along the railway every day, so these sculptures were originally planned to be built by the railway, so that those arriving by train would be greeted by these two “village heroes” from Komi.
Photo of the organizers/Visualization of the sculpture
However, without receiving permission from “Lietuvos geležinkėlių”, the municipality of Ignalina allocated a small square in the city center for the sculpture.
As V. Raupelytė-Chailova said, although the square does not currently have a name, she has no doubts that when the sculptures of the two friends are erected, the square will become a real center of attraction of the city and will acquire the name it deserves – Bratkai or Šerėnos.
These two-meter sculptures will be made of cement, because, according to the interviewer, the luxurious material is completely unsuitable for the characters of Ús and Barzdon embodied by V. Šerėnas.
“Bronze is not suitable for these sculptures, after all, the characters are upright, funny, simple village men who are forever arguing with each other, disagreeing, but together and without each other. That’s why a simple, economic material – cement – is the most suitable for them”, said V. Raupelytė-Chailova, emphasizing that there is now modern cement that is perfect not only for construction, but also for sculptures.
Photo of the organizers/Creative process of the sculpture “Bratka”.
She said that the permission to build these sculptures has already been coordinated both with the municipality of Ignalina, as well as with V. Šerėnas’s wife and the “Bike Show” team.
“Bratka” will not be embarrassed
Currently, the sculptures are already being cast, and their installation should begin in October this year.
It is true that the initiators of the sculpture are asking for the public’s help to contribute to the appearance of this work in Ignalina, because 10 thousand is missing for the final works. euros.
The initiators of the sculpture promise to write the names of the main sponsors on the pedestal, on which Bratka, embodied by V. Šerėnas, will stand.
Photo by Marius Žičius/Žmones.lt. / Vytautas Šerėnas and Bratkos
When asked if this sculpture will not become another work that has been affecting the public spaces of Lithuania recently, V. Raupelytė-Chailova emphasized that among the initiators of the sculpture there is not one professional artist, so as soon as they saw the sketch of “Bratkės”, they evaluated the work as simply “good and a very expressive piece”.
“Bratkos” will certainly not embarrass either Ignalina or Vytautas Šerėnais,” said one of the initiators of this sculpture.
V. Šerėnas is one of the hosts of the humorous TV show “Bike Show” and the author of the script. He created several comic characters, the most famous of them being Bratko’s Mustache and Barzdonas. In 2002, he took part in the presidential elections as an independent candidate and took 4th place. Died in 2019. Buried in Vilnius Antakalnis cemetery.
Support for the sculpture “Bratkos” is requested to be transferred to:
The community of Ignalina’s “Gavaiči kutas”
Company code 304156875
Account number LT285014410220100229
Ignalina Credit Union
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#hometown #Vytautas #Šerėnas #twometer #Bratkos #erected #Culture
2024-09-07 18:07:15
What inspired Jonas Grunda to create a sculpture honoring V. Šerėnas and Bratkos, and how does it reflect the spirit of Ignalina’s culture?
The Legacy of Jonas Grunda: Celebrating Ignalina’s Most Famous Sons
In the heart of Lithuania, the city of Ignalina is proud to call itself home to two of the country’s most beloved figures, V. Šerėnas and Bratkos. These characters, made famous by V. Šerėnas’ talent and love for the land, have become synonymous with the city and its people. And now, thanks to the vision of Ignalina’s own sculptor, Jonas Grunda, these characters are set to be immortalized in a sculpture that will stand as a testament to their enduring legacy.
The Vision of Jonas Grunda
Five years ago, Jonas Grunda, a well-known Ignalina sculptor, had a vision to create a sculpture that would celebrate the unique spirit of Ignalina and its people. Grunda, who studied alongside V. Šerėnas in his youth, wanted to capture the essence of his friend’s characters, Bratkas, which have become an integral part of Lithuanian culture. Tragically, Grunda passed away in the spring of this year, but his work was continued by the members of the “Gavaičio kutas” community of Ignalina.
The Sculpture: A Tribute to V. Šerėnas and Bratkos
The sculpture, designed by Grunda, is a two-meter tall masterpiece that brings to life the characters of Bratkas, V. Šerėnas’ father and uncle. These characters, which have been made famous by V. Šerėnas’ talent and love for the land, embody the expressive features of the people of Ignalina, which are recognized and beloved throughout Lithuania.
As Volanda Raupelytė-Chailova, one of the initiators of the project, explained, “When Vytautas played Bratkas, the whole of Lithuania heard that he had such Ignalinian speech – very strange, funny, sometimes ear-splitting and unnerving, but at the same time very charming. It was V. Šerėnas who made them famous. Therefore, these sculptures at the same time immortalize him, our speaker, and the old people of the region, of whom there are fewer and fewer today.”
A New Landmark for Ignalina
Originally planned to be built by the railway, the sculpture was intended to greet visitors arriving by train with a warm welcome from these two “village heroes” from Komi. However, without receiving permission from “Lietuvos geležinkėlių”, the municipality of Ignalina allocated a small square in the city center for the sculpture. As V. Raupelytė-Chailova said, although the square does not currently have a name, she has no doubts that when the sculptures of the two friends are erected, the square will become a real center of attraction of the city and will acquire the name it deserves – Bratkai or Šerėnos.
Jonas Grunda: A Legacy of Art and Community
Jonas Grunda’s legacy extends far beyond this single sculpture. As a member of the Lithuanian Artists’ Union [[1]], Grunda was known for his versatility and creativity, using a variety of media to create form and paint pictures. His work can be seen in various galleries and exhibitions, showcasing his unique perspective and skill. Additionally, Grunda was active in his local community, participating in various projects and initiatives that brought people together through art. His Facebook page, “J. Grundos galerija ‘Skaptukas'” [[2]], features various artworks, including paintings and sculptures, showcasing his talent and passion for art.
the sculpture of V. Šerėnas and Bratkos,
