“When I was invited to participate in the tango dance project ‘Tangomanai,’ I reacted more skeptically than when I received the invitation to participate here. I said, are you serious about making fun of me, laughing at how I dance? But this project, I thought, is purely for me. Because I think no one has a combo like mine. ‘Katciokas,’ a rapper and also a tango dancer!” – as always, Ironvytas looks at himself with the perfect amount of self-irony.
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According to him, this is exactly what the TV3 show “The Nation’s Dumbest” is for – to test your level of self-irony.
“When I was invited to other projects, I went there not with the goal to win, but just to have a good time. I fully understand that there are people who dance better or have more knowledge in quizzes. And here is a great opportunity to reach the final or even win this show!” – he laughs.
Every task from teachers M. Katleris and M. Bartuševičius, according to Ironvytas, only confirms his long-known truth – every person has their own field in which they know at least a little more than others. However, just as well, none of us can know everything.
“Of course, there is also general education – what we learned in school. Truthfully, it was difficult for me because I wasn’t interested there. But all the other things I live by are interesting to me, and I delve into them. I think that’s completely normal, and people shouldn’t be ashamed if they don’t know something. In fact, each of us is good in some area. So the most important thing is to be the best version of yourself, not someone else,” says the well-known man.
When asked how he evaluates his class, Ironvytas is glad that everyone is able to look at themselves critically. And he jokingly calls his classmates not only somewhat smart but also… somewhat dumb.
“What others say is the least of the problems. Young people need to understand – don’t pay attention to what anyone says, because that becomes the biggest obstacle. Those who criticize what you do often hinder the progress of society. Because no one – neither a beginner musician, nor an actor or painter – does everything wonderfully right away. Everyone starts with mistakes, and a kind word can sometimes encourage a super talented person to rise. It can also destroy such a person,” he is convinced.
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Used two report cards for three years in school
Recalling school, Ironvytas says he always believed in one rule there – the hardest thing is what you are unprepared for.
“If you didn’t learn something in math, you can’t move forward. If you didn’t learn English grammar, you won’t be able to form a correct sentence. The same goes for all other subjects. Sometimes I wouldn’t read a book at school and would get a punishment. Or I would skip a lesson with friends in the cafeteria and wouldn’t write the math test anymore,” he recalls.
In fact, that’s why Ironvytas found a solution and had… two report cards for three years in school!
“One was for my mom, the other for the teacher,” he laughs.
In the project, the well-known man says he realized one thing – that he definitely wouldn’t want to go back to school: “It’s some kind of nightmare to sit and wait for others to answer at the board and wonder if you would know the same. That waiting anxiety is here too – when you realize your abilities are not very impressive.”
But does that mean Ironvytas will start preparing for Sunday lessons?..
“Actually, I never repeat anything, and I often go unprepared for many things. Of course, there are things like roles in a foreign language, when you really have to learn the text. If the role is in Lithuanian, you can memorize part of it, but if it’s in a foreign language – you usually have to memorize it by heart. And in this show, you never know – neither what you’ll get nor what the questions will be,” he says.
Still, sometimes Ironvytas naturally has to review something – for example, the multiplication table. That happens when he helps prepare lessons for his daughter who is going to second grade. And he shares with his daughter one method that always helps him – after rewriting certain important things many times, they inevitably stick in your head.
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“The Nation’s Dumbest” – every Sunday at 7:30 PM on TV3.
