Let's get to know each other
The time has come to meet us
Ilona Češuliene
Organiser
Hello! I am Ilona – a director, theatre teacher, event organizer, and the implementer of the most diverse creative ideas. Creativity for me is not just a profession; it is my way of life, a universal language, and a bridge connecting people of different generations and cultures. My greatest joy is seeing how an idea is born and how, by engaging others, it turns into a living, breathing work of art or an unforgettable event.
My creative journey and discoveries Every stage of my life has brought invaluable lessons, wonderful acquaintances, and new skills: Roots and experience in Lithuania: I dedicated 16 years to the Lithuanian cultural world. On this path, together with children and adults, we created, dreamed, and implemented numerous projects. It was working with youth that gave me the most amazing creative practice – I learned to inspire, encourage, and look for unexpected artistic solutions together. A new chapter in Derby: For 17 years now, the city of Derby has been my second home. Here, I shared my love for theatre and accumulated experience working in local schools, helping children discover themselves through creativity. Community pull and new connections: Community spirit and cultural connection are incredibly important to me. In 2016, with great enthusiasm, we gathered and started active operations in the Latvian community "Jumitis" (founded locally here in Derby, England). I feel that now there is a need again to be together in our city of Derby, to unite and share cultural exchanges with Baltic communities in neighboring towns. You can see the whole history of our work, celebrations, and events by visiting our Facebook page! Continuous growth and Neurographics: I firmly believe that there are no limits to improvement and acquiring new knowledge. It was this curiosity that led me to neurographic drawing (the founder of this method is Pavel Piskarev). It is a wonderful path that helps people of all generations to improve, understand themselves more deeply, and find internal resources to help themselves in various situations. The time has come to share the accumulated knowledge. I am open to new ideas, a strong connection on stage, and creative adventures. I invite you to create, improve, discover yourself, and enjoy art together!
Kristīne Ward
Organiser
Hello! I am Kristine. My roots are in Latvia. I endlessly love my home country and its people, and this love and strong connection with my homeland is a huge driving force in my life. I am a creative personality in whose heart there is always room for art, nature, and community.
My world of creativity and inspiration Pioneer and founder of the 'Jumitis' community: I am very happy that I was able to express my love for Latvia by bringing people together and becoming the founder of the Latvian community "Jumitis" in Derby, England. This organizational activity is incredibly dear to me, and now I am full of enthusiasm to continue it in a new, theatre-related form. Theatre and stage: Creativity has accompanied me for a long time. In my youth, I was an active part of a youth theatre where I had the honor of playing leading roles. The stage is a well-known and beloved space for me, where real miracles are born. Reflections of nature in art: I am a person who endlessly loves and appreciates nature. This connection is also revealed in my visual art – I create unique paintings from natural materials. It is my way to freeze a moment and show the world the beauty of nature. With the greatest pleasure and an open heart, I will share my accumulated knowledge and experience. I invite you to meet, communicate, and dive into creativity together!
Žilvinas Češulis
Administrator
Hello! I am Žilvinas – our team administrator. Originally from Lithuania, I want to contribute to the creation of strong, united Lithuanian and Latvian communities with my good deeds as well as technical and administrative assistance. It feels incredibly good to just be together, say a word in our native language, and feel that special spirit of community and creativity that unites us all.
My path and values A bridge between cultures: I came to Derby when I was just 12 years old. Throughout this time, my life has become a natural bridge connecting two countries and open to many different cultures. Nurturing roots: I am convinced that it is incredibly fun and important to know and nurture your roots. It provides a solid foundation that allows you to confidently integrate into other cultures without losing your uniqueness and spiritual strength at all. Invisible but important help: I want our shared ideas and events to run smoothly, so I joyfully share my administrative and technical skills, helping creators focus on the art. It would be great to meet more compatriots living in Derby. I invite you to gather, communicate, and together create a warm, open space for us all!
Why do we want this?
Because for me, creativity is not just a profession – it is my way of life. Over my long years of working, both in Lithuania and here in Derby, I realized one thing: the greatest miracle happens when an idea that is born engages others. We have already felt how strong a community can be with 'Jumitis'. Now I feel it is time to go even further – to connect the Baltic communities and naturally integrate into English culture, focusing on organic artistic growth and our connection on stage. I want us to feel that power of fellowship again through art and cultural exchange.
"Kristina, your roots are in Latvia, but you expressed your love for your homeland here in England, by founding the 'Jumitis' community in the city of Derby. Now your visions are moving to a new theatre club. In your youth you played leading roles on stage, but you also create unique paintings from natural materials. How do these two seemingly different worlds – the stage and nature – merge in your creative work?"
Ilona, your creative path has stretched from Lithuania all the way to Derby. You call theatre a 'universal language'. Why exactly now, after the successful founding of the 'Jumitis' community, did you feel the need to bring people together again – to build cultural bridges between the Baltic countries and become visible by integrating into the broad, multicultural English community?
You know, there is real magic hidden in both of these worlds. The stage is a well-known and beloved space for me where thousands of lives can be lived. And nature... nature is my peace and inspiration. Creating paintings from natural materials, it is as if I stop a moment, showing the world its fragile beauty. My love for Latvia and its people encouraged me to create 'Jumitis' here in Derby so that we would have our own space. Now, all these experiences – the joy of building a community, the magic of the theatre stage, and the peace of nature – I bring with the greatest pleasure into our new theatre club.
We invite you to create together. Let's meet, connect, create and discover ourselves anew. Our doors are open to everyone who wants to dive into creativity and enjoy art together with us!