Andrius says there is no shortage of activity during swimming practices — children enjoy coming to the pool, and parents are happy to bring them. He currently coaches two sports groups. There is also a swimming programme for second- and third-graders, who enjoy learning to swim and improving their skills in the water.

According to Andrius, it is important not only to learn how to swim, but also to learn how to behave safely in and around bodies of water. That is why swimming lessons for children become more than just a sporting activity — they also provide an important practical life skill.

Andrius explains that swimming was never his professional sport — he himself spent 15 years rowing. His involvement in swimming began unexpectedly: the then-director of the Visaginas Sports and Recreation Centre, Ignalina-born swimmer Eugenijus Rakitinas, invited Andrius to join the team. According to Andrius, that was how his journey in swimming began.

The rowing facility also has a personal significance for Andrius — this is where his sporting career began. “Everything looked completely different from how it does now,” he recalls. Training sessions took place in construction-style cabins, old boathouses were used, and the whole space was much more compact.

The 2012 Olympic Games, where Evgeniy Šuklin competed, provided an important boost to the project, and construction of the facility began later on. Today, Andrius is happy to see the renewed space. According to him, since 2021, athletes have been able to use such a modern and welcoming facility.

Photo by the Visaginas Rowing Club

Andrius believes that if someone wants to be active, they will definitely find something to do in Visaginas.

“If someone really wants to do something, they’ll find something to do even in such a quiet city.”

- Andrius Jančiukovičius.

In his view, it can be more difficult for those who expect someone else to constantly entertain them. At the same time, Andrius sees the city’s quietness as a positive thing: “That calmness in the city really creates its own kind of vibe.”

For children, he says, there are “loads” of activities available — rowing, swimming, football, basketball, volleyball and shooting clubs. Adults can also take part in the same activities that children choose and confidently discover something that suits them.

Andrius says he has never seriously considered leaving Visaginas. He lived in Vilnius for four years while studying at university, but “I came back to Visaginas almost every weekend,” he recalls.

Andrius feels that he simply did not quite fit into life in a big city. “Vilnius is, of course, a great city, I have nothing bad to say about it,” he says. However, for him, the city is better suited to shorter stays.

“Going to Vilnius, spending some time as a tourist, going somewhere and hanging out - that’s fine, but when it comes to living, Visaginas is still closer to my heart.”

 - Andrius Jančiukovičius.

Through sport, Andrius has visited quite a few countries abroad. Yet wherever he goes, his connection with Visaginas remains. “There is still this desire to return that stays in your heart,” Andrius says.

Photo by Andrius Jančiukovičius

When talking about his favourite places in Visaginas, Andrius first mentions the lake. “A truly wonderful lake,” he says. He does not want to name a specific spot, but also counts the forests among his favourite places. He enjoys simply walking through the forest - “the forests here are really beautiful”. In third place, in his opinion, could be the alley, which Andrius also describes as cosy.

Andrius would confidently recommend Visaginas to tourists as well. In his view, the city is easy to reach by train and bus, and there are plenty of opportunities for tourism here. He highlights the various tours organised by “Litwild” - kayaking trips and cycling excursions on bikes with wide tyres. According to Andrius, there are plenty of opportunities for tourism in winter too, with numerous hiking trips organised both in the city and in the forest.

For visitors, Andrius would recommend simply walking around the city. According to him, Visaginas has renovated paths, forests and plenty of opportunities to walk by the lake. “We really have quite a lot of paths and places where you can go for a walk,” he says.

Photo by Aistė Mickevič

At the end of the conversation, Andrius is asked a slightly playful question: if Visaginas were an animal, what would it be?

Andrius imagines Visaginas as a snake. He connects his choice to a legend about the origin of the city’s name — supposedly, “Visaginas” is made up of two parts: “viską” (“everything”) and “gina” (“protects”), so it can be understood as “protects everything”. The snake symbol is also associated with this legend: according to the story, snakes in these places were considered guardians who protected the people living here.

And if Visaginas had to be described in three words, Andrius would first choose forests, nature and tranquillity. However, when talking about what is most important to him about Visaginas, he also mentions the interesting people who come from the city. “Absolutely nature, we also have interesting people who come from Visaginas, and tranquillity,” he says.