A “Magical Portal” Similar to Sci-Fi Films: The Idea of Lithuania and Poland Connecting People 600km Apart.
The cities of Vilnius in Lithuania and Lublin in Poland are now connected by a technological portal that allows them to see each other. This project, named PORTAL, aims to shorten the distance between people, with the message of helping them overcome the divisions that separate us and celebrating the unity of our planet. This initiative not only carries a meaningful message but also creates a stunning symbol that embodies a futuristic vision.
The portal symbolizes space and time.
The circular portal represents the wheel of time, and in science fiction, it symbolizes space and time. This virtual “bridge” between Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, and Lublin, one of the oldest cities in Poland, is the first of its kind. In Vilnius, the magical portal can be found next to the Vilnius train station, while in Lublin, it is located at Plac Litewski.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the human need for in-person meetings. Direct conversations and exchanges have not been able to take place normally as before. The “portal” was created to help people in these two distant locations meet and interact with each other.
“The portal” in Lithuania allows users to connect with the one located in Poland. (Photo: Vilnius Tech LinkMenų fabrikas).
The connection ring, featuring a screen, resembles a portal leading to another space, allowing users to see people in the other city and wave to them. Both “information portals” are equipped with screens and cameras to live stream the other city. The scenery visible on the screen is designed to resemble what astronauts see when looking down at the world below. This artwork encourages people to “rethink the meaning of unity,” as stated by Go Vilnius in a press release.
The circular design, intended to evoke the image of the wheel of time and a “famous science fiction symbol,” was created by engineers at the Vilnius Gediminas Technical University’s Innovation and Creativity Centre, also known as Vilnius Tech.
The connection ring with a screen resembles a portal leading to another space.
The project was developed over five years by engineers at the LinkMenų fabrikas, part of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (Lithuania). Benediktas Gylys, Chairman of the Benediktas Gylys Foundation, proposed the idea that the “portal” creates a communication bridge for people.
According to Gylys, limited awareness of humanity and the world is a root cause of the challenges faced by mankind, including social discord and climate change.
“That is why we brought the ‘portal’ into existence. It is a unifying bridge that encourages people to overcome prejudices and past disputes,” Gylys stated.
Explaining the circular shape of the “portal,” the research team noted that it is a “famous science fiction symbol that has been well received.” According to Gizmodo, this group may be referring to the Stargate from the series of the same name, which allows for rapid travel between planets.
The idea of connecting people from different areas is considered highly practical.
The connection portals currently do not have sound as it is technically challenging to provide 24/7 audio. However, this feature could be implemented for special events. Nonetheless, the creators of the project believe that people will find ways to communicate even without hearing the sound from the other side. They have observed that people wave, send kisses, or express various gestures of communication in different ways.
As human understanding grows, the developers of the “portal” hope to contribute to sustainable societal development.
The development team has plans to install similar “portals” in other European cities, including Reykjavik (Iceland) and London (UK).
