Attraction of towns and attachment of people are two miraculous spontaneous phenomena. Still, besides the blood relation and easiness of the ordinary being there is always something special, something extraordinary, something that holds our hearts tighter in a certain place. Residents of Panevėžys people will instantly tell you that their town is the best place for urban living.
Indeed, what can be better than urban landscape with a beautifully kept historical, administrative and cultural centre, a cathedral and chapels that are in interesting harmony with the adjacent wooden houses and blocks of flats, the main square and shady squares, popular shopping and entertainment complexes, modern banks, outdoor cafés, markets. All of this is within the arm’s length range. There are no crowds, no traffic jams. It is good to feel proximity and the ability to concentrate.
Panevėžys is a convenient town for both businessmen and travellers as it is in the midway between two capitals – Vilnius and Riga. It also has a unique means of transport – the last narrow gauge railway in Europe playfully called Siaurukas.
Panevėžys, being the centre of a region rich with the unique ethnic cultural and natural diversity and the capital of Aukštaitija, has the population of over 100,000. These two decades after the restoration of independence have been difficult and noticeably reduced the former community. Lithuanians have scattered around the world. The fifth largest town in Lithuania has become smaller, yet creative, sporty, green and hospitable, with the ambition to grow and prosper.
Once, after crossing almost the whole Panevėžys foreigners asked “Where does the town begins?”. The accompanying hosts thanked them for their compliment. Leaving after a one-week stay the same guests asked when being already far away from the town “Where does the town ends?”. The hosts replied with a smile “It has no beginning and no end.”