LNDT’s discount program for large families is joined by the Philharmonic and the “Skalvija” Cinema Center

Last year, the Lithuanian National Drama Theater introduced the Large Family Card. This new offer for large families gave a 50% discount on tickets to LNDT performances. This year, the Lithuanian National Philharmonic and the “Skalvija” Cinema Center have joined the initiative, so from now on families with three or more children under 18 will be able to get cheaper tickets not only to theater performances but also to classical music concerts and film screenings.

“I am very happy that we have acquired new partners and the Large Family Card has become even more accessible and attractive. Discounts are relevant not only for students and for seniors, but also for people who have large families whose funds are often quite limited. I think it is time to talk less and do more. Last year, the Lithuanian National Drama Theater launched the Large Family Card and this year the Philharmonic and “Skalvija” joined us. Next year, I hope there will be even more partners. We are also considering expanding this initiative to other cities,” says Martynas Budraitis, General Director of the LNDT.

On this occasion, even three large families met with representatives of each organization at the Lithuanian National Drama Theater, the Lithuanian National Philharmonic and the “Skalvija” Cinema Center.

Sabina Daukantaitė, a mother of 7 children and the author of the blog “7 points”, who received a Large Family Card at the Lithuanian National Drama Theater, said: “I was pleasantly surprised to find out that big families have received such beautiful attention. I often say that large families are just like all other families, only they need a lot more: bigger houses, more pairs of shoes, more food and all kinds of things... This requires more money that parents of large families usually save at the expense of needs that seem unessential, such as entertainment and travelling. However, in this way, the family experiences another kind of deficit – quality leisure and fun time spent together, as a family. This is very important in order to prevent the family from experiencing cultural and emotional vacuum. Speaking of the lack of time when raising many children, in my opinion it is sometimes worthwhile to dare to leave your home in a mess and have a good time with your spouse or the whole family. Of course, friendly ticket prices are another motivation to do so.”

Actress Vaiva Mainelytė of LNDT, who presented the card to Sabina’s family, says she knows very well what it means to have a large family: “I am very pleased that this card has appeared and I support this initiative with all my heart. My daughter Dovilė has four children. I usually invite her family to see theater shows, but she can find other offers very interesting too. In my opinion, it is very important that children go to the theater. It helps develop their imagination, encourages their dreams. And now all large families receive the privilege to visit the Philharmonic, to listen to the best concerts, the classics. The parents too can take some time off from their daily chores, recharge their batteries, because raising children is a very responsible and hard job.”

At the Lithuanian National Philharmonic, Modestas Pitrėnas, the artistic director and chief conductor of the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, presented the Large Family Card to the Kajėnas family. “Today, when everyone’s running in different directions, it is important to see as many large families as possible in our concerts, invite them to a rendezvous with music, creativity and themselves,” he said.

“We have three daughters who are of school age and we are very fond of attending various cultural events. It is no secret that tickets to meaningful quality events are quite expensive and we prefer going there with the whole family, so we will be sure to take advantage of this card! Theater, music, cinema is a very good combination for families’ autumn and winter weekends! We are grateful and very excited about this initiative,” said Jurgita and Gediminas Kajėnas, who received their card from Modestas Pitrėnas.

At the “Skalvija” Cinema Center, the Lasinskas family received the Large Family Card from Marius Repšys, the actor who played the main character in the film “The Saint”. “I am delighted to be able to give the card to this beautiful family and I wish them a lot of meaningful time together. Art is very important for people – it helps develop empathy in children, and gives the opportunity to enrich one’s experience,” said the actor. During the meeting, the family of Agnė and Kęstutis Lasinskas said they were very impressed by the attention of cultural organizations to large families, adding that they would be happy to receive even more offers.

“LNDT’s suggestion to join this initiative was very timely. We had been thinking about big families as a very important target audience for some time already and were planning to create a special offer for them. “Skalvija” strives to be open to all members of society, especially those with fewer opportunities. I believe that, in cooperation with the Lithuanian National Drama Theater and the Lithuanian National Philharmonic, we will contribute to increasing the circle of large families attending cultural events,” said Vilma Levickaitė, a representative of the “Skalvija” Cinema Center.

The Large Family Card provides 50% discount for LNDT performances, concerts at the Philharmonic and “Skalvija” cinema tickets. It can be obtained by submitting a free application form and documents proving that the family is raising three or more children under 18. Foster families are also eligible for the card. For more information on the Large Family Card, please visit: www.teatras.lt, www.skalvija.lt, www.filharmonija.lt.