JULY
CHRISTOPHER
SUMMER FESTIVAL
Venue: Vilnius Churches and Concert Halls
It is for the twelfth time that Christopher Summer Festival, which draws hundreds of performers not only from Lithuania but also from all over the world has been held. Modern and traditional music is played during the festival. With every year the number of participants and faithful admirers of the festival increases. Christopher Summer Festival is considered to be one of three best festivals in Lithuania.
THE
CORONATION OF MINDAUGAS (THE DAY OF STATEHOOD)
Venue: Cathedral Square, different places in the
city of Vilnius
This is the holiday of the coronation of Lithuania’s only king, Mindaugas, – the Day of Statehood. To perpetuate his merits a bridge over the Neris River, named after him, has been built. During the events held to commemorate that day, courtyards, squares and concert halls of the Old Town of Vilnius are crammed with people. Music is played everywhere, Lithuania’s majestic past and its age-old traditions of statehood are recalled.
WORLD
LITHUANIAN SONG FESTIVAL
Venues: Vilnius
The national song and dance celebration tradition has lasted for a hundred years and has grown into the most important and the largest cultural event in Lithuania. It exalts man's creative self-expression and the vitality of the national culture, and promotes artistic activity by periodically gathering amateur and professional artistic groups of different genres to enormous festivals that evoke an enthusiastic society’s response.
PROGRAMME 2007
5
July
18.00 Kankles Ensembles Afternoon SKAMBEKITE, KANKLES
(Let the Kankles Play) in Petras Skarga Courtyard of Vilnius University
6
July
4.51 Folklore Day SAULUTE RATELIU TEKEJO (The Sunrise Circle)
(from sunrisein Sereikiskiu Park and the castle area to sunset)
16.00 Opening of the Folk Art Exhibition in the Arka gallery
19.00 Dance Day LINO SAKME
(The Tale of Flax) in Kaunas S. Darius and S. Girenas Stadium
7
July
Brass Orchestras Concert VARIO AUDRA
17.00 parade in the Cathedral Square
18.30 concert in the City Hall Square
21.00 retro Music Evening in Sereikiskiu Park
21.00 Ensembles Evening SAULES VARTAI
in Kalnu Park
8
July
14.00 Parade of Participants of Song Celebration to Vingio Park
17.00 Song Day DAINOS RATU on the Vingio Park stage
August
Days of the Capital
The annual international festival Sostines dienos is one of the most significant cultural events of the city devoted to all residents of the capital and its guests. During the festival a great number of various events attracting large audiences of different age are held in the capital. Gedimino Avenue turns into the centre of the event where one can see how different works of art are being made, he can even try his hand at it and taste traditional Lithuanian dishes.
September
AUTUMN
EQUINOX. GEDIMINAS’ FESTIVAL
(Carnival of colours. Days of Lithuanian Regions.
International Festival of Fire Sculptures)
A traditional event of the city of Vilnius devoted to Duke Gediminas during which Vilnius carnival, concerts given by Lithuanian region and ethnic minorities are held. The international festival of fire sculptures crowns the finale of the feast. Large 9-12 meter high straw sculptures on the theme of Vilnius legends and Lithuanian mythology are created by professional sculptors and are exhibited in open spaces of the city. Not only residents of Vilnius but also guests of the capital are looking forward to the mystery.
INTERNATIONAL
THEATRE FESTIVAL "SIRENOS"
Venue: Vilnius Theatres
Sirenos is the largest and most important theatre event in Lithuania presenting a provocative, challenging modern European theatre and new impressive projects of the Lithuanian stage. It shows its performances at different theatres of the city of Vilnius and other places suitable for such events.
INTERNATIONAL
FESTIVAL OF STREET THEATRES "TEATRAS BE STOGO"
(THEATRE WITHOUT A ROOF)
Actors of Vilnius Old Town Theatre, together with their foreign colleagues, present non-traditional performances of the street theatre, theatrical-musical acts, street scenes. They try to draw passers-by, young people and children into these performances.
PARADE
OF WIND ORCHESTRAS "VARIO AUDRA"
Venue: Gediminas pr. city squares
The wind orchestra festival Vario audra, which is held on the second weekend of September invites the best wind orchestras of Lithuania and foreign performers from the European countries. During the festival concerts are held in small administrative districts, churches, one can see street festivals with a parade in which orchestras and dance groups take part.
October
INTERNATIONAL
FESTIVAL OF ACCORDION MUSIC
Venue: Vilnius Town Hall, Lithuanian Music Academy,
Vilnius Teachers’ Club, National Philharmonic Society of Lithuania
The festival to be held this year is going to amaze its audience for the twelfth time already. The accordionists who have won international recognition and admirers of famous performers and professionals of this genre of music are going to fill the largest concert halls again.
INTERNATIONAL
FESTIVAL "VILNIUS JAZZ"
Venue: Vilnius theatres, Restaurant "Neringa”
The oldest annual jazz festival that is organised in Vilnius. One of the most exceptional events attracting lots of performers of this kind of music from abroad. The international festival Vilnius Jazz, which is famous for its creative, innovative and ambitious programmes, acquaints the audience with the performers who have won recognition on the international jazz stage, give the opportunity to see Lithuanian talents.
INTERNATIONAL
CONTEMPORARY MUSIC FESTIVAL "GAIDA"
Venue: Vilnius Concert Halls
The music festival Gaida is the main and largest festival of contemporary music in Lithuania. The event that has become prestigious in the course of its existence is open to music of all geographical latitudes. This is the festival, which presents creative work of various genres – from chamber, symphony concerts to electronic, multi-media projects, musical theatre, sound installations, club events, etc. The festival that presents the latest tendencies, trends and creative processes in music both in Lithuania, Europe, and the entire world, acquaints Vilnius’ audience with the best achievements in contemporary music of the entire world – the most distinguished foreign musicians are invited to take part in the festival, works that are considered to be especially successful are performed. Here one can hear only the latest Lithuanian works, which are commissioned specially for this festival.
November
INTERNATIONAL
JAZZ FESTIVAL VILNIUS CITY JAZZ
Venue: Lithuanian National Drama Theatre, Russian
Drama Theatre
This is the youngest jazz festival in Lithuania that is open to all styles and trends of jazz music. The polystylistic festival Vilnius City Jazz acquaints Vilnius audience with the best world performers of jazz music. Having become one of the most significant events both in Vilnius and all over Lithuania within a record short time, the festival can take pride in its programme, which boasts world-famous names of jazz musicians and jazz bands.
GRAND
PARADE OF MUSICIANS (The Feast of Lithuanian Musicians)
Venue: Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society
This is a unique, largest event-marathon of Lithuanian performers, which has no analogues. Its participants are well-known Lithuanian performers, music groups, as well as young performers who have already won international recognition. The Grand Parade of Musicians is the opportunity for young performers to reveal themselves, this is also an alternative to both the commercial culture, which is of little value, and to the elite art oriented towards a narrow circle of listeners.
CHRISTMAS
IN THE CAPITAL (November-December)
Venue: Vilnius Old Town squares, Concert and Theatre
halls
As every year, winter will come to Vilnius and will bring lots of entertainment, concerts, exhibitions, and fairs.
December
BLUKAS
FEAST
Venue: different places in the city of Vilnius
According to ancient Lithuanian customs, when the darkest season – winter solstice – comes, Blukas is being dragged through courtyards on the shortest nights of the year. Blukas symbolises the flow of the past time, unfinished works, unfulfilled expectations. According to Lithuanian customs, after it has been burnt down, troubles of the old year come to an end.
VILNIUS
Holiday type:
