As the heat of the summer continues, after traditional “Joninės” celebrations and the serious politics of the NATO Summit, there are still many cultural events worth considering if you are travelling in Lithuania.
On July 25, Vilnius’ 700th birthday party continues with “As Young as Vilnius”, a concert of classical and contemporary music at Vingis Park. The day is also the feast of St. Christopher, patron saint of Vilnius.
In the Rokiškis area of Aukštaitija, the Lithuanian Ethnic Culture Society invites folk dancers to the 20th International Traditional Dance Camp at Salai Manor from August 2 to 6. Aside from folk dancing, the program includes lectures and lessons on folk songs, folk instruments, and folk art as well as a folk theatre performance.
Dzūkija is an ethnocultural region in southeastern Lithuania, also called Dainava in ancient legends. The 30th Folklore Festival meant to commemorate the year of Dzūkija began in April with various educational activities. Its second phase will take place August 4-6 in the resort town of Druskininkai, with folk dancing, singing, costume displays and workshops.
In the Skuodas area (northwest Lithuania), a traditional festival of ancient folk art, music and warfare, is scheduled for August 12-13 to commemorate the war against Danish and Swedish Vikings who invaded the lands around Apuolė Castle in the 9th century. Activities will include reenactments of battles between the Vikings and local Curonians, tournaments, ancient sports, displays of Baltic costumes and decorations, weapons and music.
A musical event in Stelmužė, home of the 1500-year-old tree and the oldest wooden chapel in Lithuania, will attract polyphonic (rounds) singers from the whole northeast region (Aukštaitija) on August 14.
The National Museum of Lithuania continues to exhibit the letter written by Grand Duke Gediminas, documenting the birth of the city of Vilnius. Part of the exhibition is an interactive display explaining the meaning and importance of this letter and many interesting facts related to his correspondence.
Until December of this year, the Grand Dukes’ Palace offers a unique look at Gediminas Tower, virtually restored in 3D as well as the oldest wooden building in Vilnius and its fascinating features. Still on display are the tapestries of Grand Duke Sigismund II August – Žygimantas Augustas.
Vilnius has always loved opera and apparently it was popular there even before it was in Paris. The 700th anniversary project Opera.Connect: Vilnius – operos miestas (City of Opera) has been offering performances in various city venues, and also outside Vilnius. On September 2-3, the Grand Dukes’ Palace will present AIopera, a 17th century piece – one of the first performed in Vilnius – recreated by means of artificial intelligence.
