ABOUT LES COULEURS CHARITY IN LITHUANIA

Les Couleurs Youth Art Fund, VšĮ, also known as Les Couleurs Charity Lithuania, was established in Lithuania in 2022 by Liudvikas Jakavičius. He is a Lithuanian diaspora member born in Mexico City, the grandson of the Lithuanian piano soloist Liudas Jakavičius (1910-1998), and the great-grandson of the renowned Lithuanian writer, book-carrier, and businessman Liudvikas Jakavičius (1871-1941). Having adopted Kaunas as his permanent residence in Lithuania, he is a passionate collector of contemporary art and a philanthropist.

Committed to supporting the arts in Lithuania and enhancing children's lives through artistic expression, Mr. Jakavičius established the Lithuanian branch of Les Couleurs Charity. The initiative followed the aim of Les Couleurs Charity that is to empower children through artistic expression, providing them with creative outlets and opportunities for growth and development.

Throughout our journey, we have had the privilege of contributing to Les Couleurs Charity USA projects in the aforementioned countries through two galas in Lithuania. As part of our ongoing efforts in Lithuania, we financed and sponsored a significant art project at the cultural space Ideas Block (Idėjų blokas LT, VšĮ). Additionally, we are currently organizing and sponsoring a mural created by Linas Kazilionis together with a group of Ukrainian refugee children from a school in Vilnius. This project is well underway and is set to be completed by the end of October, with the inauguration scheduled for November. Please stay tuned for more details.

However, we observed that children in Lithuania are fortunate to not face the same vulnerabilities as those in Mexico, Haiti, and Nepal. Consequently, this marks the conclusion of our projects involving children in Lithuania. We are now shifting our focus to promoting Lithuanian artists and culture globally and initiating partnerships in Austria, Spain, and the USA. Our goal is to create a meaningful impact for Lithuania by collaborating with artists, advancing their careers, and contributing significantly to the nation.

To reflect this new direction, we are undergoing a rebranding process and changing our legal entity from Les Couleurs Youth Art Fund, VšǏ (Les Couleurs Charity Lithuania) to Liudviko Jakavičiaus-Lietuvanio meno fondas, VšǏ (Liudvikas Jakavičius-Lietuvanis Art Fund).

In light of these changes, we are proud to announce our new identity as the "Liudvikas Jakavičius-Lietuvanis Art Fund." This name change reflects our profound dedication to Lithuania and, by using a Lithuanian name, pays homage to Liudvikas Jakavičius-Lietuvanis (1871-1941), who was a distinguished Lithuanian writer, editor, book-carrier (knygnešys), journalist, theater director, actor, and banker. Historian Almantas Šlivinskas aptly described him as a Colorful Personality of Interwar Lithuania. Working under the pseudonym of Lietuvanis, he is recognized in historical literature for his role in disseminating forbidden Lithuanian publications, contributing to periodicals and radio, and notably, as the largest private publisher in Interwar Lithuania, producing over two million copies of various practical books.

Furthermore, he directed and performed in more than 280 plays from 1898 to 1938. Throughout his lifetime, he wholeheartedly immersed himself in various forms of art, showcasing an unwavering love for Lithuania, all the while tirelessly advocating for freedom of expression and the promotion of art and culture within our nation. In acknowledgment of his dedicated service to Lithuania, President Antanas Smetona honored him with the Commander's Cross of the Order of Grand Duke Gediminas.

To kick off this new phase, we have entered into a cooperation agreement with Mykolas Romeris University. In November, we will inaugurate a collaborative Cultural Space at Mykolas Romeris University's Vilnius campus, serving as a hub for artists. The event will feature an exhibition by H.E. Mr. Petras Vaitekūnas, a self-taught artist with over 40 years of experience, who holds a significant position in our history as a Signatory of the Act of Restoration of Independence, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, and a former ambassador of Lithuania in several countries.

Moreover, we are delighted to announce our intention to unveil a mural by Linas Kaziulionis during our inauguration. Linas not only holds the distinction of receiving the Young Painter Prize as the best painter in the Baltics (2022) but also proudly carries the MArteLive Award (2022), recognizing him as the best muralist in Europe. The unveiling ceremony is firmly scheduled for the same day at the university, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring its success despite the artist's demanding schedule.

As part of our activities, we will continue to support Aura Copeland's work in Haiti, Mexico, and Nepal. As twin organizations, we will co-host an annual gala between the Liudvikas Jakavičius-Lietuvanis Art Fund and Les Couleurs Charity in Vilnius, Lithuania, at a prime location. This event holds great significance for both organizations. Our aim during this gathering is not only to raise funds for both organizations but also to launch a Prize for Lithuanian artists in collaboration with two international organizations. More details about this prize will be shared next year. Our commitment in Lithuania will extend beyond the gala, emphasizing the global promotion of Lithuanian culture through programs that will also be announced next year.

Liudviko Jakavičiaus-Lietuvanio meno fondas, VšĮ, is a public legal entity in the Republic of Lithuania, registered under number 306443087, and holds non-profit organization status (Paramos gavėjo statusas).

OUR ORIGINS

Les Couleurs Charity Lithuania traces its roots back to the inspiration drawn from Les Couleurs Charity (USA). The journey of Les Couleurs Charity commenced in 2014, co-founded by Aura Copeland and Raminta Lilaitė, two New Yorkers of Lithuanian descent.

Established in 2014 after Aura and Raminta's visit to Haiti, Les Couleurs Charity emerged from their observation of a group of boys in the violent Cite-Soleil neighborhood creating music with self-made instruments. This experience led to the inception of the CREATE program, offering education in arts, design, music, and dance to vulnerable children. The program empowers children, imparts valuable skills, and enhances cognitive development. Like Spalvos, Les Couleurs Charity recognizes art as a powerful therapeutic tool for children facing adversity. The organization's name, meaning 'The Colors' in French, symbolizes the world's diversity.

In 2022, Aura Copeland reached out to Liudvikas Jakavičius, marking her first visit to Lithuania in nearly a decade. Their meeting in a distinguished Vilnius hotel involved hours of conversation where Aura shared the intricate details of Les Couleurs Charity.

In 2023, taking a distinct yet closely related direction, the Liudvikas Jakavičius-Lietuvanis Art Fund was established, drawing inspiration from Les Couleurs Charity. Both organizations are committed to continuing their collaborative efforts, working together harmoniously as twin organizations.

**Aura Copeland and Liudvikas Jakavičius at Grand Hotel Kempinski in Vilnius, Lithuania.**

In October 2023, the Liudvikas Jakavičius-Lietuvanis Art Fund was established. However, in December 2022, Liudvikas Jakavičius hosted the first gala in the name of Les Couleurs Charity at the Artis Hotel in Vilnius. In June 2023, the second gala took place at Vilnius' Grand Hotel Kempinski, marking Aura Copeland's first event in Lithuania. The gala attracted over 200 guests, including prominent figures from the fields of art, technology, and business, with attendees from countries such as Spain, Singapore, and the United States. This event led to the sale of exhibited artworks to international buyers, aligning with Liudvikas' goal to promote Lithuanian art abroad. Notably, the gala also fostered a collaboration between two Lithuanian artists—a sculptor and a painter—who jointly created a unique artwork.

We kindly request that you stay tuned for updates regarding our opening day for our Cultural Hub, as well as details about our upcoming activities, international partnerships for the forthcoming year, and the launch of our new website.