Folk ensemble "Arinushka"

For many years, the first half of November has transformed Vilnius into a hub for specialists and
enthusiasts from different countries, dedicated to preserving traditional folk music. This is when
the International Festival “Pokrov Bells” takes place, an event well-known beyond Lithuania’s
borders. In 2024, it will celebrate its nineteenth edition!

For the 19th time, the international folklore festival "Pokrovo Bells" will delight its loyal audience with exclusive concerts, programs, and performances. The events will take place from November 6 to 10 in such prestigious venues in Vilnius as St. Catherine’s Church, Vilnius University and Vilnius Town Hall. The festival will serve as a platform for cultural exchange, bringing together representatives of different countries and national minorities living in Lithuania. "Pokrovo Bells" is not only an outstanding cultural event but also an important source of cultural heritage for Lithuania and other countries. From November 6 to 10, the city of Vilnius will become an international center of traditional music, bringing together music lovers, folklore enthusiasts, and those, interested in the cultures of other nations. Having earned a strong reputation over the years, this festival is sure to offer many unforgettable moments and inspire further appreciation and development of traditional music.
The festival is named in honor of the Orthodox feast – Protection of the Holy Virgin. As you know, in old times, people completed all the farm work by the autumnal period and began celebrating village festivals, weddings; fairs were held, accompanied by singing, dancing and festivities. It is exactly on 14th October, 2004 the first festival was organized.

Wednesday November 8th
19:00
Lithuanian National Philharmonic (Aušros vartų str. 5)
FOLKLORE AND THE PRESENT. Festival Opening Concert
Part 1
International premiere of Mindaugas STUMBRAS World Music project "SPELL"
Based on Ukrainian traditional music
Artists:
Ukrainian folklore ensemble "SVIATO" (artistic director Arina Zakharova):
Tetiana SOPILKA (ethnic vocals, Ukraine)
Sergey OHRIMCHUK (violin, ethnic vocals, Ukraine)
Arina ZACHAROVA (ethnic vocals)
Nikolaj ZACHAROV (ethnic vocals)
Viktor ŽABROV (ethnic vocals)
Luka MEBONIA (ethnic vocals, Sakartvel)
Giorgi SHANAVA (ethnic vocals, Sakartvel)
Irena ROKICKA (ethnic vocals, Norway)
K.VARDELI STRING QUARTET (Sakartvelo):
Konstantine EROYAN (1st violin)
David AKOPIAN (2nd violin)
Ekaterine GARDAVADZE (viola)
Giorgi NADAREISHVILI (cello)
Julija LANKĖ (piano)
Jievaras JASINSKIS (trombone)
Gediminas STEPONAVIČIUS (double bass)
Laurynas LAPĖ (trumpet)
Karolis ŠARKUS (saxophone)
Domantas RAZMUS (percussion)
Andrius REKAŠIUS (percussion)
Mindaugas STUMBRAS (classical guitar, Arabic udas)
Conductor Levan JAGAEV (Sakartvelas)
Part 2
A LIVING TRADITION:
Performances by Lithuanian and foreign folklore groups
Tickets distributed by KAKAVA.LT

Thursday November 9th
10.00
Vilnius University, Room 238 (Universiteto str. 3)
SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE
Personality in folklore: collector, performer, master and researcher.
Traditional culture of ethnic communities - the living heritage of Vilnius
18.00
Vilnius University Theatre Hall (Universiteto str. 3)
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: the KARTVELIAN POLYPHONIC SINGING
MASTERPIECES
19.00
Vilnius University Theatre Hall (Universiteto str. 3)
UNIQUE TRADITIONS. Concert of Lithuanian and foreign folklore ensembles
Beer House (Goštauto str. 8)
21.30
Folk Dance Evening: traditional dances, singing and meetings

Friday November 10th
10.00-15.00
Lithuanian Folklore and Ethnography Centre of National Minorities (Stiklių str. 6)
TRADITIONAL SINGING LABORATORY
18.00
St Catherine's Church (Vilniaus str. 30)
Concert of Ukrainian folklore ensemble "DREVO" (Kiev, Ukraine)
MUSIC FOR GOURMETS. Concert of Lithuanian and foreign folklore ensembles
Tickets distributed by KAKAVA.LT

Saturday November 11th
Vilnius Town Hall (Didžioji str. 31)
11.00-19.00
Fair of folk art and culinary heritage.
Creative workshops in traditional crafts for children and adults
14.00-18.00
ARTISTIC PORTRAITS OF THE FESTIVAL PARTICIPANTS. Concert - marathon
18.00
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: the UKRAINIAN Cossack Songs. LITHUANIAN
SUTARTINĖS

November 12th, Sunday
Vilnius historical sites, churches, museums, galleries
10.00
VILNIUS turns 700: tours of Vilnius for festival participants from abroad