Report by Inga Kucinskiene

On 6-9 March, 2008 the International Jewellery Show AmberTrip was held at Reval Hotel Lietuva in Vilnius. As a major specialised exhibition in the Baltic countries the jewellery show saw its fifth anniversary. Since the beginning the show has been gaining popularity both among participants and visitors and this year it boasted participation of over forty domestic jewellery companies, thirty undertakings from Poland, eleven from Turkey and several firms from Russia, Estonia, Latvia and Ukraine. Participants from Germany, Greece and India presented their artworks from amber, precious metals, diamonds, pearls, etc.

During the show opening ceremony the organizers stressed that the event which introduces new technologies, modern technique, jewellery business of different countries and recent artworks of professional jewellers is of great importance to all jewellery artists and designers. The participants and guests were greeted by Mr Algirdas Brazauskas, President of the Republic of Lithuania (1993–1998), Mr Oguz Özge, Ambasador of Turkey to Lithuania, Mr Janusz Skolimowski, Ambassador of Poland to Lithuania, Mr Wieslaw Gierlowski, Chairman of the World Amber Board, Mr Gedimin Jablonsky, Trustee of Jewellery Art Contest and Mr Giedrius Guntorius, the host of the Show.

Mr Algirdas Brazauskas, President of the Republic of Lithuania: “It is a big feast for both Vilnius City and its guests. The beginning has its source in national amber and the show is expanding and growing all the time. I would like to congratulate the organisers for making such a successful and popular event and many participants for coming to the event with lots of beautiful artworks, which I hope will stay in Lithuania.”

Mr Oguz Özge, Ambassador of Turkey to Lithuania: “The show gives clear evidence of the importance of amber in the culture and economy of Lithuania. I am glad to see jewellers from Turkey participating at the event.”

Mr Janusz Skolimowski, Ambassador of Poland to Lithuania stressed the strategic cooperation of the countries not only in energy and industry sectors but also in the specific sphere of jewellery where amber—the wonderful stone— unites the Baltic sea countries. Ambassador also said: „I am glad that there are many participants from Poland. I hope that the beautiful women I see here will shop successfully.”

Mr Wieslaw Gierlowski, the World Amber Board: “I represent the Board consisting of representatives from 17 countries, including Lithuania. The Board comprising scientists and artists is involved in long-term projects. The Board’s and my opinion is that Lithuania is the leader in amber industry both in terms of ideas and processing. We appreciate your achievements of technique and economy, dynamic development and possibility to hold such successful international event. We wish you to keep on like that in future.”

Mr Giedrius Guntorius, the initiator of Show Amber Trip: “All the enthusiasts of the show are united by amber which is a warm and wise stone. It is pleasant that representatives of different countries and cultures show their achievements in jewellery art. It proves that we do not wish to impose our example on others and that we acknowledge the art of all countries and strive to make Vilnius a Capital of the Baltic Jewellery.”

Mr Gedimin Jablonsky, Trustee of Jewellery Art Contest: “It is an important occasion – the fifth anniversary of Show Amber Trip, besides, the show for the first time included art contest. Artists from different countries participated at the contest and presented about 100 artworks. The commission consisted of world famous jewellery masters. It means that the Show Amber Trip is turning from a commercial event into a cultural one. It is necessary to show that jewellery is art and what kind of art it is. We are involved in coordination and administration of contemporary art exhibitions and supporting both artists and designers, therefore, I suppose that the contest is a big success.”

Series of in-depth lectures on jewellery was very popular among the general public. Outstanding representatives of jewellery art from Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Germany, Poland, Sweden and Finland shared their work experience. History of jewellery was in the focus during the lectures.

Mr Wieslaw Gierlowski has been working with amber for 50 years. He lectured on amber which is obtained from the sea bottom and gave a detailed explanation of a method applied in making different structures, boxes, chests of drawers and many other things of amber without using any other materials, i.e. locks, hinges and other parts are also made of amber.

This year, just like the previous year, Show Amber Trip organizers paid special attention to VIP persons from different countries by meeting them at the airport, awarding them with free facilities for one night at Reval Hotel Lietuva, free facial massage with amber cosmetics and relaxing body massage, tour and many other surprises which will be there for them next year. The organizers are happy that each year new visitors are attracted to the show. It is necessary to mention that a delegation of customers from the largest Japanese companies attended the fifth show. It is pleasant that the most devoted visitors from other countries come to the show each year.

As a part of the show an international jewellery art contest "Verweile Augenblick! Du bist so schön! – Stay moment! You are so fair!” was organized for the first time. The contest lasted for three days (6-8 March) and pursued an objective to present jewellery as a contemporary art and to promote the most interesting achievements of modern jewellery art and encourage the artists to use jewellery art as a means of expression. Our mission is to foster and develop the taste of a spectator while presenting jewellery as an art and to communicate the message of the author addressed to the individual – the one who watches and analyzes.

Gifted artists from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Germany and other countries presented the contest conceptual artworks of modern jewellery demonstrating new interpretation of jewellery art.
The event which was held on the eight of March in the garage of the hotel Reval Hotel Lietuva saw the presentation of eleven collections by the designers and goldsmiths from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia and Poland. Each collection was impressive and interesting in its own way. The show included demonstration of clothes made of classic and expensive fabrics and luxurious jewellery presented with a bit of humour and unexpected combinations.

The opinions of the participants contribute to the evidence of the success of the event.
A. Kleismantas, Company “Du safyrai” (Lithuania): “This exhibition is a perfect opportunity for our people to gather in one place where they can see not only Lithuanian amber, but also minerals and various works of art. I have invited my mineralogy students to this exhibition for practice; it is as if a school of minerals for them. They spent hours here studying minerals which have already been presented in the world of commerce. This show is interesting not only for those who come here to buy and wear, but also for those who want to learn something.”

Aleksandr Jakovlevich Kanuchka, owner of company “Centrumix” (Estonia): “I like the exhibition and I believe that the best assessment for an exhibition is the willingness to participate in it once again. We are taking part in this exhibition for the first time, and will be here next year, because this is a good start that gives an opportunity to enter the Lithuanian market, introduce our products, offer them to buyers of Lithuania and present our products as a new solution in the jewellery business. I am grateful to the organisers of the exhibition for scrupulous organisation and hope for serious long-term cooperation. Go ahead!”

The sixth Baltic Jewellery Show Amber Trip will be held in March 5-8, 2009. You are most welcome to the feast of jewellery. In 2009 Vilnius will become a European Capital of Culture and the organizers of the Show Amber Trip will present the City as the Capital of Baltic Jewellery.