Daniela Silvestri, a 56-year-old native of Trieste, Italy, relocated to Vilnius, Lithuania, in January 2019 after spending decades facing underreported hours and unstable employment in her home country. According to Silvestri, she worked 12-hour days in restaurants, bars, and shops in Italy while legally being paid for only half that time. Seeking a fresh start on a modest budget, she bought a cheap flight to the Lithuanian capital—a country she had only visited once before—launching a new life that eventually included house cleaning, floristic art, and volunteering.
Arriving in Vilnius During a Snowstorm
Silvestri arrived at Vilnius Airport on a cold January day in 2019 amid heavy winds and a snowstorm, encountering temperatures of 8 degrees below zero Celsius. Despite the harsh weather, she recalled feeling an immediate sense of belonging. According to Silvestri, she chose Vilnius primarily because the plane ticket was the cheapest option available compared to the capitals of Latvia and Estonija (Estonia).
Back in Italy, Silvestri’s career was marked by systemic hurdles. As a single mother who had her daughter at age 19, she took on dozens of different jobs over the decades. She recounted how an acquaintance running a handbag shop explicitly told her that employers only hired young women under 29 to benefit from tax breaks. Later, after running her own natural cosmetics venture failed due to a former supervisor changing her mind about closing down, Silvestri faced severe financial strain. She stated that she once had to seek help from the Caritas organization after paying shop bills left her with no money for food.
Did You Know? Daniela Silvestri chose Vilnius for her 2019 trip simply because a plane ticket to the Lithuanian capital was the most affordable option compared to other Baltic destinations, ultimately leading her to permanently relocate there.
Building a New Career and Creative Life in Lithuania
Upon settling in Vilnius, Silvestri initially worked in restaurant kitchens where wages were small but paid accurately, according to her accounts. She later established an individual activity cleaning rooms for Erasmus students, eventually building a client base that included professional footballers and families who waited months for her availability. Silvestri stated that she enjoys the freedom to manage her own schedule compared to her exhausting Italian hospitality jobs.
Alongside cleaning, Silvestri pursued writing and floristic collages. She collects fallen hydrangea petals from Bernardinų sodas (Bernardinai Garden) and presses them under books. Her artwork has been displayed in two public libraries, a craft fair, and the Markučių dvaro muziejus (Markučiai Manor Museum) under her solo exhibition titled „Suteikti gėlėms naują gyvenimą“ (Giving Flowers a New Life). She also shares travel updates in Italian via her Facebook page „Cartoline dalla Lituania“ (Postcards from Lithuania) and aims to publish an emotional guidebook about the country.””
Cultural Integration and Daily Life Comparisons
Silvestri noted that she prefers Lithuania’s distinct four-season climate over the extreme summer heat and damp winters of her home region in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. She also feels her personality aligns better with the local mindset, describing Lithuanians as less intrusive and more cooperative than people in Italy. She contrasted the social unity she observes in Lithuania with regional rivalries in Italy, recalling how citizens in Trieste and Udine used to damage cars bearing rival provincial license plates.
While Silvestri continues to study the Lithuanian language and has volunteered by teaching Italian to children in Vilnius, she noted a few challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Daniela Silvestri move to Lithuania?
Silvestri moved to Lithuania in January 2019 after facing decades of underpaid labor and financial distress in Italy, initially visiting Vilnius for a short, budget-friendly holiday before accepting a restaurant job offer.
What kind of creative work does Silvestri do in Vilnius?
She creates floral collages using pressed flower petals found in city parks, such as Bernardinai Garden. Her work has been exhibited at the Markučiai Manor Museum and local libraries.
What does Silvestri think about living in Lithuania compared to Italy?
Silvestri prefers Lithuania’s clear four-season climate, the perceived safety and social unity, and local meritocracy in workplaces, though she noted challenges with rapid digitalization and public sector language barriers.