2024-03-28 09:23:33
In Vilnius, she discovered her favorite spaces and new career opportunities: she got involved in a large community of foreigners, she found leisure spaces and bustle reminiscent of her native Spain. Then Sandra fell in love with Lithuania again, she develops her musical career here and tries to impress Lithuanians with music full of Spanish heat.
The most important thing upon arrival is the cultural processes
Singer and songwriter Sandra Carrillo says that she came to Lithuania for the first time as an intern under the Erasmus+ program. True, before she started living in the country, the performer did not know how the local people would differ from the Spaniards.
“I came to Lithuania because of the opportunity of the Erasmus+ program to do an internship in Klaipėda. I have to admit that before I came to live here, I didn’t know much about the people of this country.
I had heard about Lithuania from several Lithuanians I met while living in Barcelona, as well as the popular “Eurovision”. I knew that it was a separate country, but I had no idea what cultural aspects of its inhabitants were waiting for me and how they would differ from those in Spain,” says the artist.
The singer claims that the Spanish knew little about Lithuania and its inhabitants, so they have no stereotypes about the country.
“If one had to describe the inhabitants of Spain, many of them do not think about Vilnius or Lithuania, because it is quite far from them. Most do not have formed stereotypes, because they simply know very little or nothing at all about this country. Maybe a few of them can confuse Lithuania with the neighboring countries, but I don’t think that most of them would do that,” S. Carrillo notes.
Vilnius is called a foreigner-friendly city
After living in Klaipėda, the artist moved to Vilnius, where she made contacts with Lithuanians living here and started her favorite activities.
“While living here, through various events and my activities, I met many people whom I can safely call friends. Now I perform with Lithuanian musicians, I communicate with Lithuanian colleagues at work. To this day, I try to establish contacts with the locals, because this is how I learn the Lithuanian language, get to know the country’s culture, and at the same time I integrate into the city society more easily.”
S. Carrillo does not spare good words for the institutions of the capital, which helped to organize all the documents and involved in the integration events. True, according to her, this is not the only advantage of the city.
“When it comes to the advantages of living in the city, one of the main advantages is safety. I remember all the countries I visited and I can safely say that I have not felt so safe in any other city. Another important positive feature is the many green spaces, where you can not only spend your free time, do sports, but also have a picnic or walk with friends,” the artist mentions the advantages of Vilnius.
The capital grows every year, modernizes and receives more and more satisfaction from the community. Foreigners are no exception: “In Vilnius, I notice improving aspects of the city’s cultural life.
I see more and more emerging film and theater festivals and various initiatives. In addition, restaurants and quality coffee places are opening their doors. For me, as a Spaniard, they are very important, because there you can communicate with people and celebrate life.”
2024-03-28 09:23:33