PROVISIONS OF THE ХХ INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE FESTIVAL "POKROV BELLS"
2025 November 5th-9th, Vilnius, Lithuania
2025 November 5th-9th, Vilnius, Lithuania
"Pokrov Bells" is an annual international festival that has been held in Vilnius since 2004. Over the years, it has
earned a strong reputation not only in Lithuania but also across Europe, ranking among the continent’s largest
and most prestigious folklore festivals. The festival’s program highlights the vitality and relevance of
traditional culture in today’s world, emphasizing the need for its preservation and support by both society and
the state. It has become an integral part of Vilnius’ cultural scene, bringing together over 700 participants of all
ages and national backgrounds and drawing an audience of more than 40,000 spectators each year. A special
focus is placed on the traditional culture of Lithuania’s national communities, with organizers working actively
to promote and develop it, especially among children and young people. Becoming a participant in this grand
folklore event is no easy feat—international groups are selected by a prestigious jury, while Lithuanian
ensembles must first qualify through the "Heirs of Traditions" competition. This high level of selectivity is no
coincidence. The festival sets an exceptional artistic standard, inviting only true bearers of national traditions.
This is not just a matter of principle—it reflects a deep commitment to showcasing the very best examples of
folk artistry to a diverse, multinational audience. Performances take place on some of Lithuania’s most
prestigious stages, including the Lithuanian National Philharmonic, the Lithuanian Academy of Music and
Theatre, as well as theaters, museums, the city hall, and both Orthodox and Catholic churches.
Beyond concerts, the festival offers a rich program that includes masterclasses by leading ethnographers,
photography and art exhibitions, a crafts fair, a culinary heritage festival, educational programs for students,
academic conferences, roundtable discussions, creative workshops, and lively folk dance evenings. Notably,
"Pokrov Bells" is the only festival in the Baltic States that commissions new compositions in the World Music
genre each year. These premieres are performed at the festival’s grand opening at the Lithuanian National
Philharmonic, making it a unique cultural event of international significance.
I. GENERAL PROVISIONS
1.1. These Regulations establish the procedures for organizing the 20th International Folklore Festival "Pokrov
Bells" in Lithuania (hereinafter referred to as the Festival), including participant and program requirements,
application procedures, and festival dates. These Regulations remain in effect until the Festival concludes.
1.2. The Festival is founded and organized by the Folklore and Ethnography Centre of Lithuanian National
Minorities with the support of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, the Ministry of Culture of the
Republic of Lithuania, the Lithuanian Culture Council, Vilnius City Municipality, and the Department of
National Minorities under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania. Key festival partners include the
Lithuanian National Philharmonic, Vilnius Cultural Center, Vilnius Bronius Jonušas Music School, School of
Slavic Traditional Music, St. Catherine’s Church, Vilnius University, Vilnius Old Town Renewal Agency,
European Production Hub, restaurant "Alaus namai", and Lithuanian National Television (LRT).
II. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
2.1. Goals - The Festival aims to celebrate Lithuania’s rich multicultural heritage, promote the preservation,
revival, and global recognition of traditional culture, and strengthen international cultural cooperation.
Additionally, it contributes to the 150th anniversary of M. K. Čiurlionis' birth, supporting the Lithuanian
Government’s national and international action plan for this historic occasion.
2.2. Objectives:
1. Organize a diverse program of concerts, masterclasses, conferences, folk dance evenings, exhibitions,
and other cultural events, tailored to the interests of the target audience.
2. Promote the traditional culture of Lithuania’s national communities by creating opportunities for artistic
expression, fostering cultural exchange, and strengthening connections between folklore groups in
Lithuania and abroad. This fosters cultural awareness, knowledge-sharing, and interethnic respect.
3. Invite the finest folklore ensembles—true bearers of tradition—through a rigorous selection process,
including auditions in Lithuania and abroad.
4. Establish an international jury to ensure the highest artistic and professional standards for participating
Lithuanian and foreign folklore groups.
5. Integrate educational components into all festival events to develop participants' skills and
understanding of traditional culture. This includes high-quality masterclasses and professional-level
conferences.
6. Enhance public engagement by actively promoting festival events, particularly among regional
communities, and encouraging participation regardless of age, social status, or economic background.
7. Provide free access to festival events for socially disadvantaged families.
8. Ensure a seamless experience for festival participants by organizing transportation, accommodation,
meals, and a well-rounded cultural and educational program.
III. REQUIREMENTS TO FESTIVAL PARTICIPANTS AND PROGRAMS
3.1. The Festival invites folklore groups, soloists, and masters of traditional crafts who are dedicated to the
study, preservation, and revitalization of song, choreography, instrumental folk traditions, and folk arts. Online
participation is also possible.
3.2. 4 performances with a different program from 10 to 30 minutes, should include samples of folklore that
most vividly characterize the regional tradition. Samples of singing, choreographic, ritual folklore may be
presented. The performance of folklore material must be ethnographically accurate (in terms of polyphony,
composition of instruments, age peculiarities, etc.). The programs exclude the performance of author's and
popular folk works. Performances are held without the use of phonograms.
3.3 All performers are required to wear traditional national costumes during their performances at the festival.
IV. DATE AND LOCATION OF THE FESTIVAL
Location: Vilnius, Republic of Lithuania
Dates: November 5th–9th, 2025 (Arrival: November 4th-5th before lunch; Departure: November 8h or 9th)
Application Deadline: June 30th, 2025
V. THE PROGRAM
The 5th of November, 2025:
Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society (Aušros Vartų Str. 5)
19:00 WORLD MUSIC PROJECTS OF THE FESTIVAL
Jievaras JASINSKIS
“ORERO” Based on Georgian folklore
A symphonic poem “DEDICATION TO ČIURLIONIS” (World Premiere)
Performers:
St. CHRISTOPHER CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
(Artistic Director and Conductor: Modestas BARKAUSKAS)
Vilnius JJAZZ Ensemble
(Artistic Director: Jievaras JASINSKIS)
Soloists:
SHARA (Georgia)
Luka MEBONIA (ethnic vocals, percussion, Georgia)
Arina ZACHAROVA (ethnic vocals, Lithuania)
David AKOPIAN (violin, Georgia)
Milena JALALBEKOVA (violin, Georgia)
Gediminas STRUPINSKAS (piano, Lithuania)
Enrikas SLAVINSKIS (acoustic guitar, bouzouki, Lithuania)
Tomas BIELIAUSKAS (oboe, Lithuania)
Giedrius GELGOTAS (flute, Lithuania)
HAND VOICES (percussion, Lithuania)
Ticket distributor KAKAVA.LT
The 6th of November, 2025:
Vilnius Old Town Renewal Agency (Stiklių Str. 4)
10:00 CONFERENCE
Traditional culture of ethnic communities – experience of preservation and promotion in various countries
Vilnius University Theater Hall (Universiteto Str. 3)
18:00 UNIQUE TRADITIONS. Performances of Lithuanian and foreign folklore groups
Beer House (Goštauto Str. 8)
21:00 FOLK DANCE EVENING: traditional dances, singing and meetings
The 7th of November, 2025:
Vilnius Old Town Renewal Agency (Stiklių Str. 4)
10:00-15:00 TRADITIONAL SINGING LABORATORY
St. Catherine's Church (Vilniaus Str. 30)
18:00 MUSIC FOR CONNOISSEURS
Day 1: Performances of Lithuanian and foreign folklore groups
Day 2: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: Masterpieces of Georgian polyphonic singing. Armenian
cultural heritage
Ticket distributor KAKAVA.LT
The 8th of November, 2025:
Vilnius County Adomas‘ Mickevičius‘ Public Library (Trakų Str. 10)
12:00-16:00 ARTISTIC PORTRAITS OF THE FESTIVAL PARTICIPANTS
Concert-marathon of Lithuanian and foreign folklore groups
VI. APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Those wishing to participate in the Festival must submit the following by June 30th via email to
arinuskafolk@gmail.com:
● Registration form (Annex No. 1)
● A free-form biography of the ensemble, a description of the repertoire performed, a high-resolution
color photograph (for publication)
● A link to videos of the most notable repertoire songs or dances
● Visa table (Annex No. 2) – for those who need a visa to enter Lithuania.
VII. PARTICIPATION CONDITIONS
7.1. Participation in the festival is free of charge.
7.2. The festival organizers cover accommodation, meals, and transport services in Vilnius. If funding is
limited, the ensemble may attend the Festival for one day.
7.3. Transport services include: reception at the airport, transfer to accommodation and concert venues, and
return to the airport. Transport services are not provided for personal use.
7.4. Travel and insurance expenses are to be covered by the participants themselves.
7.5. Participants, without the consent of the organizers, may not participate in concerts or other events
organized by third parties.
7.6. The festival participant or the responsible adult of minor participants is responsible for the health and
safety of the participants during the festival; each participant must have insurance coverage.
VIII. MEDIA AND COPYRIGHT
8.1. The festival organizers hold all rights to performance recordings, television broadcasts, photographs, and
video dissemination for festival purposes without compensation to the festival participants. The materials may
be used on websites, social media, in the press, television, promotional materials, printed publications, etc.
8.2. Video and photographs of participants and their accompanying persons may be taken during the festival for
personal use (but not for online portals).
8.3. Professional filming and photography are permitted only with the organizers' approval.
8.4. Copyrights for video, audio, press, and other materials created during the festival belong to the festival
organizers.
8.5. All rights to the festival’s recordings and broadcasts, as well as the distribution of press, photographs,
audio, and video products via radio, television, electronic media, and for commercial purposes, belong to the
festival organizers.
8.6. The festival organizers have exclusive rights to the video and audio recordings of the participants’
performances during masterclasses, concerts, conferences, and round-table discussions, and their use for
promotional and educational purposes.
8.7. The organizers also have exclusive rights to make agreements with other parties regarding the
aforementioned materials (photos, video, and audio recordings).
8.8. By submitting all required documents for participation, the festival representative agrees to the
photographing and filming of the ensemble members during the festival, confirms that they have obtained
consent from the parents of any minor members, and ensures that the organizers may process the personal data
of the ensemble members (name, surname, date of birth, place of residence, country) for the purpose of
organizing the festival.
IX. AWARDS
Festival participants will receive certificates of appreciation and diplomas.
X. INFORMATION
Further information tel. +37061421516, email: arinuskafolk@gmail.com, jumo1985@gmail.com
on the website: www.ltmfc.lt
