Hi everyone, Vaidotas here.
Today I want to share a wonderful story with you. A story about how music can sometimes do something that no advertisement can – inspire someone from the other side of the world to visit Lithuania.
A few years ago, an Australian woman named Maree discovered The Roop through Eurovision. She enjoyed our music so much that she started learning Lithuanian, became interested in Lithuanian history, and began discovering more about our country. And this summer, something quite incredible happened – Maree finally came to Lithuania together with her friends Helen and Melissa.
When we performed “Discoteque” at Eurovision in 2021, we also took part in a campaign with Lithuania’s national tourism agency, “Travel Lithuania”, aimed at increasing awareness of Lithuania abroad. Five years have passed, and this story is a beautiful reminder to me that something you do today can come back to you years later in the most unexpected way.
Something even more special happened in 2024, when we were visiting Australia. After one of our shows, a woman approached us and started speaking… Lithuanian. It was Maree. We even have a video evidence. Look at that.
The first meeting in Australia
She told us how she had discovered The Roop and Lithuania, and how she had even started learning our language.
Some time later, we received a message from her with some wonderful news:
“I’m coming to Lithuania.”
At that moment, we realised this was more than just a beautiful story about a fan. It was a story about how music can become a bridge between people and even influence where someone chooses to travel.
So we decided to surprise Maree.
Together with “Go Vilnius”, we welcomed her and her friends in Vilnius Old Town – with music, posters and, of course, a big The Roop hug.
Her reaction was incredible. Maree said she couldn’t believe that The Roop were there to welcome her. And what touched us even more were her impressions of Lithuania. She told us that the trip had exceeded her expectations. To her, Lithuania felt green, clean, unique and full of places worth discovering.
And that got me thinking.
We Lithuanians sometimes don’t appreciate enough what we have. We tend to think that somewhere else everything is more beautiful, more interesting or simply better. But Maree and her friends saw Lithuania through completely different eyes.
They travelled around different parts of the country, explored our history and nature, tasted šaltibarščiai (pink soup) and šakotis, experienced a beer spa, visited TV tower, flew in hot-air balloons and simply discovered Lithuania.
To me, this story is about much more than The Roop. It is about how culture can be one of the most powerful ways to tell the world about your country.
Sometimes all it takes is one song, one concert or one emotional connection for someone to become curious about a country that wasn’t even on their travel map before.
And perhaps, a few years later, they are standing right there.
Maree’s story reminded me that you never know where a song you create might travel. Maybe it will reach a radio station. Maybe a festival. Maybe someone in Australia who will start learning Lithuanian because of it – and one day buy a ticket to Vilnius.
I think that is one of the most beautiful reasons to make music.
And there is one more thing I really want to say to all our lovely fans. If you are planning to visit Lithuania – let us know!
Maybe we can come up with something special for you too. We love our fans and we are always happy to welcome you to our home and show you our country. Lithuania is our home, and when you come here, we want you to feel at home too, even if it’s just for a little while.
So, if you’re packing your suitcase for Lithuania – send us a message. Who knows, maybe the next unexpected meeting will be with you.
Thank you, Maree, Helen and Melissa, for coming to Lithuania. And thank you to everyone who helps us share Lithuania with the world not only through words, but through emotions.
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