Erna, a 32 year- old Lithuanian, works as an interpreter for art buyers in London
by Nadine Carle
I share a flat in Oval with 4 other people; three Latin Americans and one Portuguese. I temper them with my North East European personality.
There is a large Lithuanian community in London – there is even a basketball team as we are very good at this sport! – but my best Lithuanian friends who are in the UK live in Bath and Glasgow. When Lithuania joined the European Union in 2004, many of us moved to Western Europe. It was a great opportunity to discover another lifestyle and experience things that we couldn’t do before. Some of my friends moved to the Netherlands, Ireland and Denmark. I chose London as I came here during the summer of 2000 to improve my English and loved the city’s vibe.
I used to work in the entertainment industry but was made redundant two years ago. Because of the recession, many jobs were cut in this sector so I decided to do something else. This is what I like about London, it is always possible to do new things and be challenged. I am very curious so it suits my personality.
One of my friends who work for an upmarket estate agency put me in contact with one of her Russian clients who was looking for someone who could speak English and Russian. This is how I became an interpreter for Russians who come to London to buy art.
I always meet the art buyers at the airport. It can be a man or a woman on their own, a couple or a group of three or four people. They usually come from Russia but also from the Ukraine and Kazakhstan. Most of the time, they are in London for two or three days, and have a very tight schedule.
I take them around London to meet art dealers in private galleries or houses. The buyers are interested in all kinds of art: painting, photography, sculpture, furniture, jewellery etc. However, they all look for very modern and exclusive pieces. They usually don’t speak a word of English and don’t know much about London, so they really rely on me. I must be patient, attentive to their needs and of course translate everything accurately. Learning Russian was compulsory in Lithuania until we became independent in 1990. My parents let me carry on studying it after independence as they thought that languages were always useful, but some families refused to speak Russian ever again.
Between meetings, I take the art buyers to my favourite galleries, The Saatchi on the King’s Road and the Tate Modern. I also love to show them the small independent galleries on Pimlico Road like the Bob Lawrence Gallery, Plus One Gallery, Pulman Gallery and Gallery 25. I am myself passionate about modern art. I graduated in History of Art in Lithuania and studied sustainable architecture here in the UK, at Richmond College. Sadly I don’t do any of this now, but I want to learn ceramics.
Most of the time, I have lunch with the art buyers.The restaurants around the Design Museum are my favourite places as I like the location as it is in a cenic part of London, near Tower Bridge. I try to show different aspects of London, the well-know places and buildings, but also the hidden ones that only Londoners with an eye for architecture can see.
When I interpret for people on their own, they usually want some company and ask me for dinner. If it is a couple or a group, I keep the whole evening free. After a busy day like that, I generally prefer to go back home and relax. My Latin American flatmates love cooking, so there is always something nice to eat. If I go out with friends, we generally meet near the Embankment, in the pubs around Maidan Lane, often at The Porterhouse, which serves Lithuanian beers. There are several Lithuanian bars and restaurants in East London, but I don’t go there much. However, there is a Lithuanian book shop with a chocolate boutique called the ‘Knygnesys’ in Beckton which is supposed to be very good, and which I keep meaning to visit.
I enjoy being an interpreter. I go to amazing places and meet interesting people. I usually keep in touch with the art buyers, some of whom have invited me to stay with them. I have only been in the Baltic part of Russia, so it would be very interesting to see other parts - and maybe even live there one day!
But at the moment London is my home; I am happy here.
