Lithuania's first dedication to Leonard Cohen - musical-poetic programme DAINOS BOKŠTAS
"I'm just paying my rent every day
in the Tower of Song"
Leonard Cohen, the famous Litvak singer, songwriter, poet and novelist, would have turned 90 in 2024. To commemorate the singer's memory, well-known Lithuanian singers and actors are joining together in the musical-poetic project "Dainos bokštas" (The Tower of Song), initiated by the experts in good music "Bards LT". Four concerts in four Lithuanian cities - Vilnius, Kaunas, Šiauliai and Palanga - are scheduled for November this year.
Choroughly selected Cohen songs (some of them translated into Lithuanian) will be performed in the voices of Vladas Bagdonas, Česlovas Gabalis, Lina Rastokaitė, Raminta Naujanytė-Bjelles, Marius Jampolskis and Andrius Bialobžeskis. Vytautas Lukočius's rhythm band will bring a lively, rich and sensual sound, while the director Alvydas Šlepikas will add theatricality to the spectacle and will allow you to get to know the personality of the famous creator.
Leonard Cohen was born in Canada and has Lithuanian roots, both of his grandparents were born in Lithuania. Cohen himself never had the chance to visit Lithuania, but Vilnius (the only city in Europe) is proud to have a sculpture of the legendary song magician, which was started by another great artist, sculptor Romualdas Kvintas, and completed after his death by his student Martynas Gaubas.
The legendary bard is considered one of the most prominent artists and the most influential in the music of the second half of the 20th century. His lifetime achievement in 2010 earned him the prestigious Grammy Award. Cohen's songs and poetry have been a major influence on many songwriters and musicians. His songs are often emotionally intense, sensual, full of passion, vivid imagery, and themes such as religion, loneliness, sexuality, complex human relationships, and death are explored.
Anyone interested in the work of Leonard Cohen is invited to be a witness to this extraordinary spectacle and to get up close and personal with the legendary songwriter.