Here, children with various hobbies can look forward to a wide range of activities, some of which we have already introduced. This time, we invite you to get acquainted with clubs dedicated to art, creativity, world exploration, and fostering independent thinking – let’s see what experiences “Ogmios miestas” is full of this season.
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From the stage to the art world
For some children, watching the stage is not enough – the little ones want to be on it themselves. To sing, dance, improvise, try a new role, and feel what applause means.
This is exactly the path that the children’s music studio “Džimba,” located in “Ogmios miestas,” has been offering for more than two decades, now starting its 24th season this year. The studio’s director, Agnė Kmieliauskaitė-Borisevičienė, says that every September marks a new beginning. New children come to the “Džimba” studio, new stories, songs, and dances are born.
“In the classes, the little ones learn to sing, dance, and improvise, and some songs are recorded in a professional sound studio. But the most important thing here is not just to learn a new song or choreography. We want children to create, imagine, share their emotions, dare to step on stage, and feel that wonderful feeling that gives even more self-confidence. “Džimba” is a place where childhood sounds,” the director smiles.
Over more than two decades, the founders of the “Džimba” studio, Agnė and Andrius Borisevičiai, have nurtured many young talents. The studio’s pupils perform in concerts and television projects, so some of their faces and voices are familiar to all of Lithuania. Thus, children here are given the opportunity not only to learn but also to truly experience the stage.
A very different creative space is offered by the DALI Academy art studio. Here, children are not met by a stage but by paper, canvas, colors, and the opportunity to learn the language of art from the first strokes to complex creative works.
The studio’s director, art educator Sigutė Gudelionienė, explains that in the new season, children will get to know famous artists every month, learn works inspired by their creations, professional artists’ techniques, and deepen their knowledge of traditional art techniques and drawing rules.
“We strive to create cozy peer groups so that children have a safe space to communicate and develop their creativity together. We want to cultivate not only art skills but also communication skills and self-confidence,” says S. Gudelionienė.
The studio offers several different directions: art and painting club, academic drawing, digital drawing, and a three-year Academic class. Therefore, some children can simply discover the art world here, while others can systematically prepare for deeper art studies.
Classes take place in small groups, allowing teachers to pay more attention to each student. Also, the first art club lesson is free, so the creative path is invited to start simply by trying it out.
Animals and robots provide new knowledge
Creativity in “Ogmios miestas” does not necessarily arise only from drawing or singing. Sometimes it is awakened by curiosity, interest, and the opportunity to personally touch what you want to learn about. This is exactly the experience awaiting children in the “Zoopark” activities. Here, animals play the main educational role.
Greta Mačiulaitytė, organizer of “Zoopark” clubs and camps, reveals that in the new season, children will again be invited not only to learn more about wildlife. They will be able to see animals up close, participate in practical activities, and sometimes even feel like their real caretakers.
“This is exactly what sets us apart. The “Zoopark” club is the only one where children can learn about animals not only from stories or books. We get to know wildlife through real experience. We are close to animals, involved in their daily lives,” shares G. Mačiulaitytė.
According to the speaker, this means not only new knowledge for children. Live contact with animals allows observing their behavior, learning responsibility, and understanding that caring for another requires attention and patience. At the same time, it is an opportunity to escape the usual routine and experience adventures that later they want to tell their friends about.
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“Good emotions and memories are an integral part of these activities. We want every child to leave us with new knowledge, fun memories, and an even greater love for animals,” invites the club leader.
Another club for curious children is the newly established EIQ Academy in “Ogmios miestas” this season. Although much attention is given here to mathematics, language skills, and technology, the main focus is on how the little ones learn to use information.
The academy’s founder and director, Vaida Cibulskienė, reveals that this autumn, EIQ Academy is starting its 14th season. Children can choose from four directions: mental arithmetic, “Numicon,” “Smart ABC,” and “EIQ Lab.” Here, the little ones are offered to combine technology and creativity by constructing, programming LEGO, creating 3D models, and printing them.
“It is important for us to develop children’s ability to think, seek solutions, not be afraid to make mistakes, and trust their abilities. We want them to leave the class with new knowledge and skills, and at the same time – a very important experience: ‘I can and I am not afraid to try,’” notes V. Cibulskienė.
According to her, one of the academy’s greatest strengths is the different programs that can grow with the children. In one case, these may be the first steps in reading and writing, in another – understanding mathematics, and for older ones, the world of programming, construction, and 3D modeling opens up.
Revealing the backstage of the theater
A great place to nurture the creativity of the little ones is also the theater. Here, children learn not only to act but also to better understand themselves. And this is exactly the experience that the theater “Pradžia,” located in “Ogmios miestas,” will offer from autumn, inviting children aged 4–11 to its classes.
Groups here are formed considering the children’s ages, and the world of the stage is discovered through theatrical games, improvisation, movement, voice work, and various creative tasks.
Theater “Pradžia” director Silvija Lukšienė emphasizes that the most important thing is not just the final performance but the entire journey to it. Children learn to express their thoughts more boldly, recognize emotions, cooperate, listen to others, and feel freer in front of an audience. Therefore, they are given space to try, make mistakes, create, and find their unique way of being on stage.
“We want children to leave the theater not only having learned the text or created a role. With us, the little ones become braver, more curious, more confident in themselves and their ideas. During the season, children also get acquainted with how a real theater performance is born – from the first idea and character creation to rehearsals and meeting the audience. At the end of the creative process, each group prepares its performance and presents it to family and viewers on the theater stage,” says S. Lukšienė.
One of “Pradžia’s” biggest distinctions is that children learn theater in a real, functioning theater, and the classes are led by professional actress and director Gintarė Latvėnaitė-Glušajeva. Therefore, the little ones can get closer to acting and the entire theater world: the stage, backstage, lights, sound, decorations, and the people whose creative work is necessary to create a performance.
“Come – here we will boldly create, imagine, dream. You will be part of a team and, most importantly, you will do all this truly believing in yourself,” invites the theater “Pradžia” director to sign up for clubs.
Starting today, “Ogmios miestas” invites you to spread your wings into clubs at Verkių g. 29, Vilnius. You can learn more about the activities and register for them here.
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