Friendship amongst Basketball Passions

Lithuania hosted the European Men's Basketball Championship 2011. On 31 August-5 September, in a brand new sports complex Svyturys Arena, Klaipėda was the scene for Group D play-offs, where Belgium, Bulgaria, Georgia, Russia, Slovenia and the Ukraine competed.

The Championship was a great fest of sports. But Klaipėda decided to add even more flavour to this European level sports event, and initiated a real celebration of friendship. For the whole week, the international fans and Klaipedians had an exclusive opportunity to communicate and learn more about each others'countries, admire glimpses from the wealth of their histories and national cultures. The countries also introduced peculiar culinary delicacies and their tourist attractions.

Dedicated entertainment concerts of guest countries were given after passionate basketball matches watched on a large screen in the central Theatre Square. A famous Slovenian singer and the author of their national basketball anthem Zoran Predin, "Marka"- a rock group from Belgium, a Russian song group"Volnica", a Ukrainian ensemble"Prosvit"- all those concerts left no one indifferent.

But the temperament of heart-stopping performances of the Georgian State Dance Company of universal fame, simply packed the Theatre Square. The dancers of sensational professionalism put on feet all grandstand, and lavishly answered to numerous encores.

The echo of the Caucasus mountains were heard in the music and songs of a vocal ensemble "Georgian voices". They sounded every evening on the stage and also at the restaurant "Fridricho pasazas". To satisfy both the soul and the palate, five Georgian cooks were preparing national cuisine dishes which were served to the tables of the overcrowded house. Thanks to cooperation between the city and the Embassies of the EUROBASKET 2011 draft countries, the Theatre Square of Klaipėda became a splendid international get-together place. Passion for basketball and radiating arts enabled the fans, performers and crowds of local people experience a feeling of unity among European nations representing their different regions.