ASEF’s Executive Director, Ambassador ZHANG Yan, was on a short visit to Kaunas, Lithuania, on 24-25 September to meet with the city Mayor, Mr Andrius KUPCINSKAS, and to attend the ‘East-East 4’ architectural workshop supported by ASEF’s ‘Creative Encounters’ Programme.
During his visit, Ambassador ZHANG, also had the opportunity to meet with the event curators, Mr Linas TULEIKIS and Mr Gintaras BALCYTIS, President of the Architects Association of Lithuania, in the presence of numerous Japanese representatives from the architectural field.
The ‘East-East 4’ project was one of the core components of the ‘Kaunas Architecture Festival’ (Kafe-2013). The initiative raises awareness on the management of sustainable urban landscapes and encourages responsible and ethical architectural design practices. The project comprised of a 3-day workshop and seminar involving 10 architecture students and 10 professionals between September and October 2013. The participants collaborated on a design proposal for the waterfront of Kaunas, which is Lithuania’s second largest city.
‘East-East 4’ is supported through ASEF’s programme, Creative Encounters: Cultural Partnerships between Asia and Europe, was conceptualised and organised by the Architects Association of Lithuania and the Japan Institute of Architects.