Vilnius-Lublin Portal

The Vilnius-Lublin Portal is an innovative project created by Lithuanian investor Benediktas Gylys, aimed at enhancing intercultural communication and fostering empathy among people from different parts of the world. The circular installation, equipped with a screen and a camera, enables two-way video conferences between residents of Vilnius in Lithuania and Lublin in Poland. The implementation of the project, developed in collaboration with the Benediktas Gylys Foundation, the Cities of Vilnius and Lublin, and the Center for Creative Intercultural Initiatives, took five years and was finalized in 2021. The portals, each weighing 11 tons, were launched for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic, becoming a free tourist attraction that gained international recognition. In addition to its touristic appeal, the portal has been acclaimed as a functional art piece, drawing inspiration from science-fiction aesthetics and compared to movies such as "Stargate." Initially, there were plans to relocate the installation to London and Reykjavik after August 6, 2021; however, in 2023, the portals remained in their original locations. The project received an award in the Vilnius Tourism Development Competition and garnered widespread media attention, highlighting its cultural and artistic merits.