Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, has decorated its most prominent statues in yellow clothing items and disco balls to support The Roop, the Lithuanian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2021. The capital has collaborated with the fashion brand MK Drama Queen, which has created The Roop’s stage costumes for the Eurovision.
The capital has decorated the statues as another support action along with the already promised open-air discoteque if Lithuanian performance is successful in the Contest. Remigijus Šimašius, Mayor of Vilnius, says the dressed-up statues were designed to wave The Roop goodbye on their way to the Netherlands.
“Vilnius has been supporting The Roop in every step of their Eurovision journey, and the statues will cheerfully send them off and welcome back. The yellow clothing items on the statues make every passer-by turn their head, and also remind them that we all root for our Eurovision act,” said Mayor. “If we get lucky in the Contest, the statues will be already prepared for our Open Discoteque.”
The most famous Vilnius statues have been given yellow scarfs, bucket hats, cloaks, jackets, shawls, bags, and neck bows. All of the items have been designed in the color scheme and specific features to resemble The Roop’s style for their Discoteque performance. The clothing had been specifically treated to withstand all weather conditions, and the designers also had to readjust to dressing immovable statues rather than living models.
“Given that the statues cannot move, raise their arms, or turn around, it was quite challenging to take the necessary measurements. Also, we have never taken on a similar project at a city scope, so designing clothing for so many large objects has been a new experience to us,” said Monika and Kotryna, designers at MK Drama Queen.
The designers also added that, besides being one of this year’s top colors, yellow works in favor of The Roop’s style.
“Yellow was actually suggested by Vaidotas, the leader of The Roop. Although we were quite skeptical at first, now we see that this color really makes the band stand out,” elaborated the designers. “Since the clothing cut is formal, this color made all the additional accents and features pop, and now yellow has become almost synonymous with The Roop.”
Vilnius has chosen statues most favored by locals and visitors for the Eurovision makeover. For instance, the monument for Gediminas, Grand Duke of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, has been given a yellow cloak. The memorial for Mindaugas, the 13th century King of Lithuania, has a scarf wrapped around it.
The Roop will open the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 and perform Discoteque in the first Semi-Final on May 18th.
More info: opendiscoteque.com
Monument to Grand Duke Gediminas designed by Vytautas Kašuba and Mindaugas Šnipas. Photo by Saulius Žiūra.
Monument to Grand Duke Gediminas salutes The Roop in Vilnius Cathedral Square. Photo by Go Vilnius.
Open Discoteque Preview in Vilnius
As The Roop polishes its Discoteque performance, Vilnius is supporting the Lithuanian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 by decorating 10 of its most famous statues in yellow clothing items and disco balls that copy the stage costumes of The Roop. This symbolizes Vilnius' promise to support the band all the way and host the Open Discoteque in the event of winning the Contest.
Sculpture for Lithuanian Hounds designed by Rimantas Keturka and Feliksas Volčakas. Photo by Saulius Žiūra.
Monument to King Mindaugas designed by Regimantas Midvikis. Photo by Saulius Žiūra.
Statue of the Lamplighter designed by Vytautas Nalivaika. Photo by Saulius Žiūra.
Jonas Basanavičius statue designed by Gediminas Piekuras, Gediminas Sakalis and Algirdas Rasimavičius. Photo by Saulius Žiūra.
Vincas Kudirka statue designed by Arūnas Sakalauskas. Photo by Go Vilnius.
Monument to Vileišiai brothers designed by Regimantas Midvikis. Photo by Go Vilnius.