From 19 to 22 November, the “Saulės muzika” festival, taking place in Vilnius for the sixth time, invites you not only to listen, but to experience music up close. The education programme, held on 20–22 November at the Naujoji Vilnia Cultural Center, welcomes everyone curious to see, hear and try things for themselves.
There will be plenty to discover. Irish musicians will introduce the uilleann pipes, tin whistle and bodhrán, and talk about reels, jigs and session culture. Fiddlers from Estonia and Belgium will present the Hardanger fiddle, talharpa and brácsa, and invite everyone to try Norwegian, Hungarian and Transylvanian dances. Polish band SVAHY will teach traditional songs and the playful dance “Klapok”, and Latvian band MO the song “Rudens Nāk”, explaining how Latvian dainashave preserved the nation’s stories. Rakija Klezmer Band will reveal the history of klezmer and its links with Balkan and Lithuanian traditions. Together we will learn to sing sutartinės (polyphonic songs), and Artūras Sinkevičius, leader of the folk ensemble “Gilė”, will show how old songs and melodies can take on a contemporary sound.
Workshops led by international artists will be held in English.
MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAMME
FRIDAY, November 20 – Naujoji Vilnia Cultural Center
6:00–6:45 p.m. Latvian Song Workshop with MO
The workshop introduces the history and cultural significance of Latvian folk singing and shows how dainas (traditional Latvian songs) have preserved people’s stories, values, bond with nature and everyday experience across generations. While learning the band’s song “Rudens Nāk” (“Autumn Is Coming”), participants will try the characteristic vocal techniques, phrasing and group singing of Latvian folk music and discover the story behind its words.
SATURDAY, November 21 – Naujoji Vilnia Cultural Center
10:00–10:45 a.m. SVAHY: Polish folk music (educational concert)
An interactive journey into the colourful world of Polish folk music and dance. Participants will discover the beauty of traditional Polish songs, learn their melodies and rhythms, and enjoy singing together. They will also learn traditional dances, including “Klapok”, a lively, playful dance built on rhythmic hand-clapping. The band will play and present the frame drum, steel tongue drum, hurdy-gurdy, Biłgoraj suka and mandolin.
11:00–11:45 a.m. Regina Mänd & Oscar Beerten: Folk music traditions, instruments and dances
Regina and Oscar will share their musical paths and present their instruments: violin, 5-string violin, Hardanger fiddle, talharpa and 3-string brácsa. They will talk about the traditions that inspire them, from Norway through Estonia, Poland, Hungary, Transylvania and Romania. What unites these cultures is groove and danceability, so they will play and show some of the dances, and everyone can try them too!
12:00–12:45 p.m. Spanish Point: Traditional Irish music – instruments and session culture
Kevin Meehan (tin whistle and bodhrán), Cathal Croke (uilleann pipes) and Al Power (guitar) will introduce their instruments, their sounds and roles in Irish traditional music. Through live examples they will explain the main tune types – reels, jigs and polkas – and, as composers themselves, share how new tunes grow out of the tradition. Participants will also learn about the Irish session, where musicians gather to share tunes, learn from one another and keep the tradition alive.
1:00–1:45 p.m. Gilė: Living ethnic culture
A lively, hands-on journey through traditional music, where theory meets practice and creative experimentation. Participants will discover traditional instruments from Lithuania and other countries, learn to sing traditional Lithuanian songs, and hear how old melodies take on new life when folk and contemporary instruments are combined in unconventional ways. Led by Artūras Sinkevičius, leader of the ensemble.
SUNDAY, November 22 – Naujoji Vilnia Cultural Center
12:00–12:45 p.m. Sesės: Sutartinės
Sutartinės (from sutarti – to be in concordance) are Lithuanian polyphonic songs. We will introduce their different types and learn to sing them together. Come and experience a living sound that has brought people together since ancient times!
1:00–1:45 p.m. Rakija Klezmer Band: Klezmer music
The band will present the history, sound and traditions of klezmer music, explore its rhythms, melodies and instruments, and briefly discuss its connections with Balkan, Lithuanian and other musical traditions. As the band plays, the audience will be invited to hear and discover what makes this music unique.
The festival is funded by the Lithuanian Culture Institute, Creative Europe and the Embassies of Estonia and Norway in Lithuania.
Festival partners: Naujoji Vilnia Cultural Center, UPBEAT, Music Club TAMSTA, Būkčia Kombucha and Comfort Hotel.
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