From March 4th to March 8th, the Faculty of Arts and Creative Technologies hosted events as part of the International Teaching Week. The dean of the faculty, Birutė Žygaitienė, and the vice-dean, Andrius Guoba, warmly welcomed guests from Latvia, Italy, Ukraine, and France for the International Week. Lecturers delivered lectures to the faculty students and staff, and various activities took place in creative and skill workshops during the event. The International Teaching Week at Vilniaus Kolegija/ Higher Education Institution has become a tradition, attracting more and more foreign lecturers who are eager to share their knowledge with students and exchange experiences with staff and administration. This year’s international week featured a rich programme of various lectures and creative workshops. A wide range of subjects were taught, including photography, music, dance, and fashion. Olga Spridzane, a lecturer at the Latvian Cultural College and jazz dancer, conducted seminars on the fundamentals of jazz dance style for students in the Dance Pedagogy program on March 4th and 5th. Oleh Smysh, a lecturer from the National Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, delivered lectures to faculty students on photography, its history, photo composition, and color combinations.
Guests from Latvia visited the Fashion Design Department. Aina Strode, Silvija Mežinska, and Diana Apele, three accomplished lecturers from the Rezekne Academy of Technologies Fashion Design Department, conducted two seminars for Fashion Design Department students on March 4th: “Digital platforms in arts and designs” and “Design thinking in the development of fashion ideas.” Lecturers from the Italian “Instituto Cordella Fashion School”, Indrė Matutytė Cordella, Manuel Cordella, and Christian Cordella, collaborated with Fashion Design Department students in practical workshops, sharing their experience.
Faculty members and students of the Rhythmic Music Department, along with lecturers from France, Latvia, and Italy, improvised, performed, and created music together, delighting students and teachers alike. Percussion, guitar, rhythm, vocals, improvisation – the whole spectrum of activities brought joy to the students and faculty members. On March 7th, a joint concert was held featuring students from the Jazeps Vitols Latvian Academy of Music and the Rhythmic Music Department, where students themselves composed musical pieces. Evilena Protektore, a Latvian jazz singer, Artis Orubs, one of the most prominent drummers, and Indrikis Veitners, a jazz saxophonist, a living jazz legend, participated. Lecturers from the Jazeps Vitols Latvian Academy of Music demonstrated immense professionalism and dedication to music in their creative workshops. Fabrizio Brusca, an Italian guitarist currently teaching guitar at the Trapani Conservatory in Sicily, shared secrets of guitar playing with students. French musician Stephan Adsuaras, a virtuoso of professional improvisation, conducted mastery lectures for Rhythmic Music Department students. Saxophonist and composer Frédéric Borey, who studied classical music, led improvisation workshops for instrumentalist students.
The closing event of the International Week, held at the Vilnius Jazz Club “Jazz Cellar11,” featured performances by faculty members, students, and guests of the Rhythmic Music Department. Throughout the evening, the music of the performers poured out from their hearts. Four ensembles of faculty members and students participated in the concert. Fabrizio Brusca (Italy) and students delivered an impressive guitar show full of amazing music. Vocalist Evilena Protektore (Latvia) performed a composition with pianist Richard Banis and prepared a joint program with students. The evening was crowned with a performance by the renowned saxophonist Frederic Borey (France). All the concert pieces were prepared during the International Week. This content-rich and emotionally fulfilling International Week provided all participants with the best emotions and left the warmest memories.
