Folk ensemble "Arinushka"

The Sixteenth International Folklore Festival “Pokrovskie Kolokola” will take place in Vilnius on November 10th-14th. Just as the trees are decorated with frost during the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in honor of which the festival is named, so the Lithuanian capital is decorated with a mosaic of folk music, enticing the guardians of the faith without which traditional culture cannot live and develop.
For sixteen years, the festival has colorfully presented the culture of various countries. The warmest memories of Lithuania were taken to their countries by participants from Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Spain, Italy, Kazakhstan, China, Latvia, Poland, Mexico, Norway, the Netherlands, France, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine, Hungary, Moldova, Russia, as well as its republics - Adygea, Altai Krai, Kalmykia, Kabalda-Balkaria, Udmurtia, Chechnya, Dagestan, Komi, Tyva, Marij-El, Yakutia, etc.
This year, after the most difficult period of the pandemic, the festival will delight its listeners by presenting groups from Lithuania, Bulgaria, Sakartvelo, Spain, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Russia, Norway and Ukraine. Lithuanian folklore groups of Lithuanian national minorities, who preserve the traditions of their nation while living in a foreign language environment, will take part in the unique celebration and make it even more unique. This is not an easy task and that’s why such ensembles and their leaders deserve support and respect. Lithuanian ensembles from various parts of Lithuania will also take part in the festival.
An interesting, rich and diverse program awaits participants and spectators this year. The events will take place in the best concert halls and historical places of Vilnius - the Lithuanian National Philharmonic, St. Catherine's Church, Museum of Applied Arts and Design, Vilnius City Hall and Orthodox Cathedral of the Theotokos
“Pokrovskie Kolokola” is the only festival in the Baltic States that annually commissions the most famous Lithuanian and foreign composers today to make works in the style of world music. In order to broaden the circle of fans of folk traditions as well as to keep folklore close and understandable to the younger generation, the organizers decided to combine old spiritual values with expressive modern musical language. For many years, this idea has been supported by the Lithuanian Ministry of Culture, the Lithuanian Culture Council, and Vilnius City Municipality. The festival already presented the following music pieces: A.Doynikov “Ethnosphere – a New Breath of Traditions“, G. Rimkus Rimkevičius “Folk Rhapsody ”, J. Jurkūnas “From This City ”, “Old faith” and “The Female Song” by L.Rimša, “The Saga of Life” by A. Martinaitis, “Collages” by Z. Bružaite, “Dedication ” by A.Šenderov, “The mass of the starling” by L.Vilkončius, „There was a day“ by L. Rimša, G. Venislovas, J. Jasinskis. This year, the concert at the beginning of the festival will once again present the premiere to the audience. November 11th 7 p.m. The Lithuanian National Philharmonic will feature a work by Leonas Somovas, perhaps the most valued electronic music composer in Lithuania, performed by the Čiurlionis quartet, the ensemble Arinuška and other musicians. The bold decision of the organizers to use a famous electronic music creator and reveal his approach to the values of ethnic music of different nations is well thought out and based on the growing popularity of the ethnic electronic music scene around the world and its technical capabilities. The second part of the concert „Living tradition“ is where the audience gets to meet the performing artists, these participating folklore groups from different countries will be presenting their ancient vocal and instrumental traditions. Opportunity passport required. Tickets to this concert can be purchased by klicking on the link -
https://kakava.lt/renginys/leonas-somovas-world-music-stiliaus-kurinio-pasauline-premjera/1834/4415?fbclid=IwAR1fjcfFxdURZQYtuU0WWx9Gdoq8BT4UKeMzMdezT1FWiOFbLbVSRVJoVQU
A workshop on traditional singing will be held on November 10th, at the Faculty of History of Vilnius University (Universiteto str. 5) at 3 p.m. and from 12 p.m. - a conference of young folklorists on the topic "My family - my origins". Registration required - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd4Tp8jSsqZ0ewm0UrbrUKbroDS82HICVlf2HNwE4XztU9qPQ/viewform?fbclid=IwAR2Hn46JxTZSLQUy6sVRMdnijWhqmXK1R6SzQ3Tt_xO_UNr_93Z3QDCbxc0
On November 12th, 10 a.m. a round table discussion “The Impact of Globalization on the Continuity of Folk Traditions” will start in the conference hall of the Panorama Hotel (Sodų St. 14). At the same time, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. traditional singing laboratories will take place. Registration required to both events - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScVgsOt2xlwe5pZc3qoJUD6nNj_yAegx268XRCO_9oM2Locdg/viewform?fbclid=IwAR2iEHU-kg9yXmzZ-inqCCcRGjy3xKeya_-UmAVgSml-PXN864XHGdkyxwk
The concert "Music for Gourmets" will take place at 7 p.m. in the St. Catherine’s Church (Vilniaus st. 30). Also registration required - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScnbmOLbYpYcZEsx0HPoyVq7qbbAuMeJJDTa3DBynWE0E8vkg/viewform?fbclid=IwAR2zxkyUzXKGT-vd2g1yE1a629xq7SFkbhwWNcnLjCCfUtmOZFK5OncUjvw
November 13 11 a.m. creative workshops will start at Vilnius City Hall, with the participation of children's folklore groups not only from various regions of Lithuania, but also from foreign countries. This event is a celebration for the whole family. The guests will have an opportunity to make a doll with their own hands, weave a ribbon or learn various special traditional craft techniques. You will learn about the ancient processing of linen and wool, see the production of Bronze Age jewelry, metal, clay molding, and the folding of paper flowers. You will learn the secrets of ex-libris, taste the dishes of national cuisine. Folklore groups and individual Azerbaijan, Belarusian, Polish, Tatar, Armenian, Ukrainian, Jewish, Russian performers, children and adult folklore assembles and individual performers who were awarded with the winning title of the Republican Competition "Heirs of Traditions" will appear on the City Hall stage at at 12 p.m.
The musical marathon “Artistic Portraits of Festival Participants” will start at 2 p.m. in the Concert Hall of the City Hall.
November 14th 12 p.m. the festival will traditionally say goodbye with the concert of sacred music "Holy Mother", which will take place at the Orthodox Cathedral of the Theotokos in Vilnius (Maironio St. 12). Ecclesiastical singing poetry, traditional hymns and psalms will be performed by folklore groups from various countries.
The organizers sincerely hope that after a difficult pandemic era, the festival will bring together lovers of traditional culture and expand their ranks, becoming an unforgettable and inviting celebration for everyone.
For many years, the festival has been supported by our partners: the Ministry of Culture of Lithuania, the Lithuanian Council of Culture, the Department of National Minorities under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, and Vilnius City Municipality.
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Festival website https://www.ltmfc.lt/.