No Desire to Leave: Karaoke Bar Owner on Life and Business in Lithuania

Eight years ago, a Russian national arrived in Lithuania for a three-day conference, expecting to return home. Instead, he found a new home, citing safety and comfort as primary draws. He recalls an immediate "wow" feeling while walking near the White Bridge in Vilnius, realizing he liked the country.

"You never think about wanting to leave here," he said. "You just come and stay here to live." He was drawn to the architecture, the sense of freedom, and the general attitude of the people, which he found made life very comfortable.

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You never think about wanting to leave here. You just come and stay here to live.

Before moving, he spent his youth in Russia, focusing on school and public service, including work in Ksenia Sobchak's election campaign. After his contract ended, he relocated to Lithuania. He now lives there with his husband, having married in the United States.

When asked what he misses from Russia, he stated he misses nothing. While he initially missed friends and family, he found that with time, connections either faded or could be maintained through social media. He emphasized that his entire life is now in Lithuania, and he has no desire to return to his former life in Russia.

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Wow, how I like it here.