The Song Day in Kaunas on Saturday marked the start of Lithuania’s centenary Song Celebration.
“Standing here today, I truly feel that here in Kaunas, in the Song Valley, we have the highest possible concentration of unity and optimism,” Culture Minister Simonas Kairys said in his address to the participants.
“We are a special nation. We are the ones who create, not destroy, who defend, not plunder, who are unyielding, unsilenced, and who have the greatest sense of optimism,” he said.
Around 3,500 choir members and dancers from 80 ensembles, as well as guests from Latvia and Estonia, took part in the Song Day in Kaunas. Around 10,000 spectators watched their performances.
On Sunday, the events of the centenary Song Celebration moved to Vilnius, with a total of 37,000 participants expected in the capital throughout the festival. According to the organizers, this is a record number of participants in recent decades.
Over 2,000 Lithuanian expats from 21 foreign countries are also expected to participate in the festival.
This week’s program includes various events at Vilnius’ Town Hall and Cathedral Squares, the foot of Gediminas Hill, the Palace of the Grand Dukes, the Kalnu Parkas Stage, the National Philharmonic Hall, the Twinsbet Arena, and the Lithuanian Football Federation stadium.
On July 6, the final day, participants will march from Cathedral Square to Vingis Park, where the jubilee Song Celebration will culminate with the Song Day entitled “May the Green Forest Grow”.
The first Lithuanian Song Celebration took place in Kaunas in August 1924. The tradition of song festivals was continued during the Soviet occupation.
Since Lithuania regained independence in 1990, the Song Celebration has been organized every four years in early July.
Two decades ago, UNESCO proclaimed the Song Celebration traditions of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Source: BNS
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