He quit his job at a cultural center to establish Pepe’s house: he had to persuade not only a man but also the builders | Deal

L. Grigaliūnė and her husband founded Pepė’s Villa four years ago. From April to October, children come here to entertain themselves, various celebrations, birthdays, baptisms, organized camps from Monday to Friday. In winter, the cabin is converted into a warehouse.

“It is a family business. My husband helps me a lot. He falsifies everything, he does it, he transports children during events with Pepe’s car, he dresses like a pirate, although he is a military man and very serious, but he succumbs to my influence. We do everything together, “he summarized.

Pepe with his long legs has been with him most of his life.

L. Grigaliūnė, originally from Kėdainiai, said that she chose one of the most famous characters of the Swedish writer Astrida Lindgren by chance: she has been playing Pepė Ilgakojinė since the age of 13.

“I attended a theater group at the Kėdainiai schoolhouse. I have been prone to acting since childhood and have always been active at school. Before an event, the manager offered me to be long-legged Pepe, just to organize the event. I did great and I enjoyed it because I wasn’t playing, it was me. Then I realized that I am that long-legged Pepe, that’s my personality. After that, acquaintances began inviting children to celebrate birthdays and events, ”he said.

Realizing that events were her vocation, the woman entered to learn how to organize events. The family moved to Jonava 10 years ago, and 5 of them L. Grigaliūnė at the cultural center, where they organized events.

However, after the birth of her son Ąžuolas, according to the interlocutor, she had an idea, “which is enough for Pepe Long-Legged to live in suitcases, it is necessary to build a house”. Admittedly, the idea turned out to be too crazy for a woman’s husband, so it was rejected for a couple of years before she still managed to persuade her husband.

“I am very persistent, and if I create something, it is impossible that it does not happen”. Furthermore, I have that trait, if I believe, it infects others. I only speak some kind of language when I speak, teach, teach, my heart burns, my eyes burn and I infect others. This would infect a man, “L. Grrigaliūnė explained how she managed to persuade her husband.

In addition, the woman explained that she did not regret leaving a stable job at the cultural center at all. According to L.Grigaliūnė, what must happen in life is inevitable, in addition, now she is working on what she was doing when she was a child.

“We grew up in three, I have a sister, a brother and I made the theater for them myself. I sat down, sold tickets, played games, and then set up a store to sell reading books and various things. One day I thought I was doing what I was doing now as a child. If everyone noticed what you were doing as a child, because then human talents are revealed, you shouldn’t wander that far. Although, on the other hand, I went through the experience. I changed jobs and I am very happy about that, because the experience gained everywhere is now invaluable, ”he said.

I had to persuade the builders

The family needed around 14-15 thousand to start the activity. euros borrowed from the municipal programs of the Jonava district for newly created entrepreneurs. Furthermore, it was necessary to find a plot where Pepė’s house could be built.

“From the beginning, we were going to buy a plot to build a house. But we thought it would be difficult because it would require a lot of space, sewage, a lot of things that cost a lot, and there was not a lot of money. Then we decided that we might have to look somewhere nearby where everything is installed. We thought of a rural tourism farm, and then the idea of ​​an amusement park came up. The owners gladly agreed to accept it, and we founded it here, “asked L. Grigaliūnė why he built the Pepė house next to the park. of adventures.

Pepe’s Crooked House was built by contracted builders, and while its construction is not much different from other houses, the exterior and windows are exceptional. It does not have several identical windows, its levels are different and you can descend a skating rink from the second floor.

“The builders said:‘ How can this be? Did you tell us to make defects, windows at different heights, to leave the boards uncut and to pay us for it? ”He was surprised because he never did that. At first it was necessary to talk and persuade a lot, and then they realized the style and finally they were very happy, “he said.

L.Grigaliūnė added that the man also had to teach the art of building a fence to Pepe.

“From the beginning, the boards were bitten exactly, and after understanding how to do it, they were bitten anyway,” he said.

Both the exterior and interior of the cabin are inspired by the Astrid Lindgren Museum in Stockholm.

Pepe’s house in Jonava: hanging socks, clothes, shoes on the ceiling, vinyl records, paintings. Laura herself collects all the furniture from the flea shops.

“Just as other women go to clothing stores and buy a lot of dresses there, I also go to flea stores and go out with bags of things. I really wanted to create the spirit of Pepe’s long-legged house and I thought, whether successful or unsuccessful, it was a complete lottery. But I understood from the comments of the people that I was successful, “the woman laughed.

Also, Pepė’s patio does not descend into the house. Here are many different games and animals. Next to the house is Pepė’s farm, where there are “horny bears”: two goats, “lions” – rabbits, “peacocks” – chickens, “parrots” – pigeons.

“We try to borrow animals from other farms, they live with us during the summer and then they go home in the fall. Except for the chickens, they are ours,” he said.

There’s also a Pepged Long-Legged Shop right outside the entrance, where a woman sells specially ordered gingerbread.