Christmas is shining in Šiauliai: a Christmas tree decorated with city symbols

In 2024 December 7 In Šiauliai, the Christmas tree full of traditions sparkled. The residents of the Šiauliai district gave the fir-tree several meters high to the city. The decoration of the New Year holidays, embellished with the city's symbolism - a bear, a bull, a prince's hat and the eye of providence - became a synergy of traditions and the city's identity. During the event, Resurrection Square turned into a fairytale land, where light drove out darkness - director Gilda Aleksa's fairy tale "From Darkness to Light" reminded us of the importance of kindness. At the end of the evening, the artist Rokas Yan invited to warm up, giving the residents of Šiauliai and the guests of the city a cozy concert program.
The organizer of Christmas and New Year's initiatives is Šiauliai City Municipality, the event organizer is Šiauliai Culture Center.

The celebration of the lighting of the Christmas tree in the city of Šiauliai began with the fairy tale "From Darkness to Light" by director Gildas Aleksas, in which actors Arnoldas Jalianiauskas, Milda Naudžiūnaitė, acrobat Edgaras Šilkauskas and collectives of the Šiauliai Cultural Center played. This is a story about a city where the electricity suddenly goes out, but every good deed is like a small candle that slowly dispels the darkness and brings light. The characters, listening to the stories told about good deeds, magically revived the city. The returned light has become a symbol of hope that each of us can contribute to the creation of a better world. The performance featured a piece by Rasa Kauneckaitė, music and songs specially created for this tale by Jokūbas Tulaba, and texts by Kristina Marija Kulinič.

After the fairy tale, Santa Claus thanked the Christmas tree donors and, together with Šiauliai City Mayor Artūrs Visockas, lit the traditional Christmas decoration - the green scarf. "For this beautiful celebration, it is necessary to thank the organizers of the celebration, all the performers, children, of course, and Santa Claus, all the people who came to this celebration," said Šiauliai Mayor Artūras Visockas.

The Šiauliai Cultural Center, as it does every year by carefully organizing the decoration of the Christmas tree, aimed not only to create an aesthetically attractive image, but also to convey a deep meaning. About 2,200 m of luminous garlands, 400 pcs. were used to create the beauty of the Christmas tree. gold, silver and white colors, bubbles of various sizes, 100 pcs. illuminated symbols of the city of Šiauliai - bear, bull, duke's hat, eye of providence - and 6 large versions of the city's symbols in the fir-tree approaches. Each symbol has its own history and associations, which together create a unique portrait of the city of Šiauliai. Next to the Christmas tree, 50 smaller trees decorated with luminous garlands shone, filling Resurrection Square with coziness and light.

The festive evening was continued by artist Rokas Yan with a concert program that gave the audience a burst of positive emotions. The audience sang and danced along with the performer, creating an unforgettable, joyful atmosphere.

On the day of the event, Riestainiai Street, located near Resurrection Square, beckoned with freshly baked pretzels, gingerbread and other Christmas treats, and hot drinks. A ferris wheel and a children's carousel were spinning in the square near the Municipality, and a Christmas train was rolling in Resurrection Square. These entertainments will delight the people of Šiauliai and the guests of the city until January 6.

The organizers remind that next to the main decoration of the city until December 15. Christmas mail will be open. Children are invited to share their secret wishes and dreams in letters and drop them in a special mailbox in Resurrection Square. It is important to remember to include your exact address so that Santa can send a reply with his best wishes.

The festive mood in Šiauliai will continue even after the Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Plaster figures of Mary, Joseph, shepherds and sheep can be seen in the prelude located in Resurrection Square. December 19 at 6:30 p.m. Christmas carols will be sung on Resurrection Square, and on December 31 at 11:30 p.m. there will be a New Year's party with DJ David Less. The organizers draw attention to the fact that the heart of the city - Resurrection Square - is a place without fireworks, so residents and guests of the city are asked for understanding.

Throughout the holiday period, city residents and guests will have the opportunity to actively spend their time, participating in various concerts, exhibitions, promotions and other events organized by city institutions. The entire program of events can be found on the websites of Šiauliai City Municipality (www.siauliai.lt) and Šiauliai Culture Center (www.siauliukc.lt).

Informational sponsors of Christmas and New Year's events: Lithuanian National Radio and Television, "Miestos nauzienos", "Saulės Radijas", "Etaplius" media group, "Šiaulių krastas" daily newspaper, IĮ "Owexx".

Photo by Roland Parafinavičius.

The information is provided by Edita Smindriūnaitė, Deputy Head of the Event Organization Department of the Šiauliai Culture Center, mobile. +370 656 13 886, e-mail edita.smindriunaite@siauliukc.lt.