Liepos 1, 2016
Message on a bottle: Thank you for the music. Sorry about Brexit.
by Vita Laimikyte 1
‘Thank you for the music. Sorry about Brexit. You are very welcome here Lithuania’.

The result of the historic vote on the 23rd of June, when the UK decided it was going to leave the EU, left the country shell-shocked. With no one predicting the outcome to be what it was. With the nation divided, as to if this was a good or a bad thing.

One event that had been overshadowed by the Brexit vote was the summer solstice, but not by Audrius Seskanas and his group of friends. Audrius, is a Lithuanian who living in London for the past 22 years and working as a systems architect in banking industry.

Audrius, describes Saturday night as somewhat of an impromptu celebration, which just evolved as the night went on.

He told the story to Lithuanian website www.londoniete.lt:

“By the time the sun was setting we were in full swing. There were all kind on instruments being played, ranging from the guitar to the flute, the music was accompanied by our singing (some better than others). We sang a lot of traditional Lithuanian songs late into the evening.

Londoner Audrius Seskanas (on the right) and his guest form Lithuania. Londoner Audrius Seskanas (on the right) and his guest form Lithuania.

As this was a spontaneous celebration and gathering, we had not warned our neighbours that there might be some music and singing. Looking back, we may have been a little loud as I’m sure our singing could be heard half a street away! I was a little nervous that someone may complain and given the recent decision of the UK to leave EU, I was not entirely sure how well our songs from around Europe would go down with the neighbours.

At the height of the singing and celebration my neighbour Joe turned up. I should say that in the 8 years I have been living at my current address in Wimbledon I have not had a great deal interaction with my neighbours, as everyone tends to keep themselves to themselves.

My first thought was that he has come to ask us to stop playing. But to my surprise I was presented with a bottle of wine with a note on it saying ‘Thank you for the music. Sorry about Brexit. You are very welcome here Lithuania’ (there was a heart figure instead of the letter ‘a’).

Lithuanians in London. Lithuanians in London.

For me, this act of kindness and acceptance showed two things, despite what you may see on the TV and papers, the UK does welcome people from across Europe. Second and some may say more importantly, sometimes when the evening heads in a direction you did not plan you just have to go with it, as these are normally the best nights and the ones that bring people together.

What I think about Brexit? It would have been better, for both the peace of the world and the future of Europe, if England had remained in the EU. It is really hard to predict what will happen, no one know for sure what the long future holds. Those people who are already well off will adjust to the new situation. I only worry for those on lower income, those who are not capable of adapting, and those who do not have the means to deal with a potential economic downturn. If England wants to have an access to the European Economic Community, it will still need to allow EU workers in. However, if England actually leaves the Union, then I suggest everyone start saving as we can expect an economic crisis”.

Straipsnio komentarai

Tokių komentarų nerasta
Tokių komentarų nerasta

Panašūs straipsniai