- Place
- Kupiškis District Municipality
- Region
- Aukštaitija
- Type
- Henrikas Orakauskas sculpture-fountain in the Račiupis pond at Kazys Šimonis Park
- Address
- Račiupis pond by Gedimino Street, Kupiškis
- Coordinates
- 55.83288, 24.98459
- Visit duration
- 15-30 minutes, or about an hour with Kazys Šimonis Park
- Best time
- the green season when the fountain operates; after dark for the illuminated footbridge
Baltic Unity Tree, Baltic Tree of Life, Baltic Tree
Which name is correct?
Sculptor Henrikas Orakauskas's own list and Kupiškis District planning documents use Baltų pasaulio medis, literally Baltic World Tree. Kupiškis Public Library uses the same name, making it the most reliable title for the artwork.
Google Maps lists Baltų vienybės medis, or Baltic Unity Tree, while Baltic Tree of Life and the shorter Baltic Tree appear elsewhere. They are not separate attractions. Each name points to the same sculpture-fountain in the Račiupis pond; when navigating, choose the exact location rather than relying on one title variant.
Metal, glass, birds, and running water
A stylised trunk and branching crown rise from the pond. The artist's official list identifies black metal and glass; a Kupiškis Public Library publication also records copper. Coloured glass pieces resemble leaves in sunlight, birds sit among the branches, and a rhythm of graphic signs becomes clearer from the footbridge.
The artwork was designed as a fountain, so the water is more than a setting. When operating, streams fall from the tree-like construction into the pond and transform its silhouette. No official public source gives its exact height or a fixed fountain timetable, and neither should be guessed.
A public-art landmark since 2005
The sculpture-fountain was installed in 2005. It is one of the most visible legacies of the period when Henrikas Orakauskas shaped Kupiškis's public spaces. He lived and worked in the town from 1986 to 2003, and his own list records several dozen works here in metal, wood, stone, painting, and fountain design.
The World Tree title points towards a Baltic worldview, but the signs visible on the sculpture should not be assigned to individual deities without evidence. Public artist sources do not publish a detailed key to every sign. It is more accurate to understand them as Orakauskas's combined evocation of Baltic memory and the World Tree motif.
Reaching the sculpture
The work stands in the Račiupis pond in the southern part of Kazys Šimonis Park by Gedimino Street. Coordinates 55.832881, 24.984587 mark the sculpture itself, not parking. A narrow footbridge leads from shore; paths, planting, and distinctive benches with metal birds surround the pond.
Leave a car only in a marked town parking area and walk the final section. The bridge is narrow, so allow space when passing, supervise children, and do not climb the artwork. Wet or frozen surfaces can be slippery. Anyone requiring step-free access should confirm the current path condition because park routes are scheduled for renewal during 2026-2029.
When the fountain and lighting look their best
The sculpture is free outdoor public art without a ticket office or fixed opening hours. Fountain water is chiefly relevant in the warm season and the illuminated footbridge after dark, but no official daily schedule is published for either. Check current municipal information before travelling specifically to see the fountain operating.
Allow 15-30 minutes for a close look and photographs, or combine it with Kazys Šimonis Park and other Orakauskas sculptures. Reflections are clearest in calm weather. After dark, remain on lit paths; in winter, never walk onto the pond ice.
