Open to the World '23: Five Sold-Out Shows, 2000+ Attendees, and a Historic Budget Breakthrough

It’s been a hell of a year. We lacked challenges, so we created our own ??. Five Sold-Out shows, 2056 viewers, and a record 125k budget for our Open To The World project-fest. This might seem insignificant in the entertainment and events industry, but it’s a monumental achievement in the country’s neglected and archaic niche choral music market. It's a huge deal.

There is no better team in Lithuania than Choras Bel Canto that can do this. That dares to dream, fantasize, and do it. I bow my head to every team member because I know what it means to give your time to voluntary, unpaid activities. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to our artistic team: Milda ?velnien?, Stas? ?altauskait?-Malūnavi?ien?, Raminta Gocentien?, Egl? Stund?iait?, and Eimantas Be??nas. I have said and will say that you are a true dream team. And you all, together, are my greatest love and purpose. Serving as your president and producer is an honor and a privilege.

I’ve never been fond of trite sayings or "folk wisdom," but in this case, "Tell me who your friends are, and I’ll tell you who you are" is correct on the topic. The inimitable Swedes Zero8 and Ringmasters, the great Brits Voces8, the best boys choir in Lithuania Dagil?lis (with the most fantastic teacher, Remigijus Adomaitis), and our loyal friend Marius Beck. With such friends, it is a priceless honor to dream, fantasize, create, make mistakes, and enjoy success.

Special thanks to Zero8 and their leader, Rasmus Krigstr?m. I know that in Sweden, bragging is considered unusual, tactless, and uncomfortable. However, dear friends, downplaying your achievements is not right either. You are the continent's best-kept secret, an example and aspiration for everyone. From my heart, I wish you to change your outdated attitudes and traditions. You are the best in Europe, and do not be shy about being proud. It has been an honor to know you. One of the few things I asked Santa for was more future opportunities to work and create with you.

Is it possible to invite top guests, provide them with proper hospitality, ensure top-notch video and audio production, and create a memorable concert experience in the Lithuanian choral market without the aid of sponsors? After years of patient and consistent work, it is possible, but it would be incredibly challenging.

That’s why I am eternally grateful to my friends and colleagues in the business world who have recognized the potential to generate value in this niche. They understand that well-crafted choral music products can be meaningful, appealing, and beneficial. INHUS ( Audrius Tulaba and Tadas Ra?kauskas ), Business Garden Vilnius ( Kestutis Vedeckis ) Newsec ( Ugnius Meidus MRICS ), Jurgita Baltu?? , Julius Gendvilis , Andrius Janciukas , Brigita Blava??iūnien? , Eugenijus Ma?iulis – Thank you for your faith and trust. Thank you for being there and helping to make a difference. I know the choral world won't allow it, but if they would – you should be written in the history of Lithuanian choral music. In bold letters.

Also, my sincerest thanks go to LRT ( Monika Garba?iauskait?-Budrien? , Gytis Oganauskas ) for having the courage to let us dream and do things differently, and to Ogilvy Vilnius ( Linas Paskevicius and Simas Ba?iulis ) for donating your time to create a product package worthy of the 21st century.

The Open To The World 2023 concert, shown in prime time on LRT Plus on the first night of Christmas, is just a small part of what we, along with our friends Zero8 and Ringmasters, will share with the world via our YouTube channels. Hundreds of thousands of people around the world will not only enjoy the talents but also the city of Vilnius that attracts them.

For those who wonder how an independent choir, surviving on its own and with sponsors’ money, can have top-notch video and audio production, the answer is simple: rehearse, don’t stand still, have some funds, and be friends with Vilius Keras and Aleksandra Kerien? ??. By a stroke of luck, I met these incredibly talented individuals, the most prominent pros in their field, back in 2012, and our mutual chemistry hasn’t faded to this day.

Beloved Vilius and Aleksandra, you exemplify first-class professionalism, western culture, values, and openness to the world. You are the ones who inspire and encourage continuous improvement. Thank you for being with us and doing much more than we could ever deserve. I also want to express my deep respect for the fantastic team you have assembled: working with Ma?vydas Tautkus , Evelina Bajorinien?, Giedrius ūsas, and Aurimas Vilda is both a joy and the greatest pleasure.

When we started in 2018, we were told that the Open To The World concept, even the title, was unsuitable for a choral music project. We didn’t listen, and now we have record-breaking sold-out concerts, and our message is reaching hundreds of thousands of people, not only in Lithuania. Now, we are being told that we cannot call this project a festival because it does not comply with the rules and norms that someone, somewhere, sometimes created.

For Christmas and the upcoming New Year, I promise myself and others that we will not listen again. From the bottom of my heart, I also wish you never to listen to those who claim to know best and are the most right. Never.

Thanks, everybody, for being and dreaming together. I love you all!

And if you’ve managed to read up to this point – Happy Holidays, and have fun!