Ethnographic Festival “Joninės. The Magic of Nature’s Elements”

Joninės (Midsummer) is inseparable from nature – this celebration stems from the human desire to be closer to earth, water, air, and fire. This year, Šiauliai invites everyone to rediscover this ancient meaning by journeying through different spaces of the city. The four elements will become not only symbolic axes of the festival but also living experiences – yards where visitors will engage in creativity, exploration, and sensory play.

2025 Program

Water Element Yard
Zubov Park (Aušros Ave. 50)
7:00–10:00 PM
Welcoming of participants at the Gates of Solar Transformation, theatrical water mystery, mead house, clay workshops, face painting, park meditation, photo exhibition “Ethnocultural Connections in Lithuanian and Ukrainian Life” (on view from June 23 to July 13, 2025).
Surprises await all those named Jonas, Janina, and Janis!

Earth Element Yard
Square near Šiauliai City Municipality (Vasario 16-osios St. 62)
7:00–10:00 PM
Coin minting, leather workshops and products, wood carving and crafts, bread tasting, traditional cowbell (skrabalai) education, ethnographic games.
Souvenir coins, leather, wood, and bread products will be available for purchase.

Air Element Yard
Povilas Višinskis Square (Vilniaus St. 130)
7:00–10:00 PM
Macramé workshops, weaving with straw and twigs, pebble throwing workshops, “Valerijonas” herbal shop with tea tastings and educational activities, traditional folk dances.
Performances by Šiauliai Cultural Center’s dance groups – folk dance ensemble Kalatinis (artistic directors: Indrė Šerpytienė, Evaldas Račkauskas), folk dance group Šėvulis (artistic director: Greta Šveikauskaitė), and folk dance group Vajaunas (artistic director: Romualdas Laugalis).
Macramé textiles, wicker and straw crafts will be available for purchase.

Fire Element Yard
Yard of Vilnius University Šiauliai Academy (P. Višinskio St. 38)
7:00–10:00 PM
Herbal divinations, herb market, amber dust.
Midsummer flower wreaths and herbal bouquets will be available for purchase.

Music Yard
Sundial Square (Ežero St. 64)
8:30–11:30 PM
Featuring folk band Sutaras, and performers Rasa Serra and Petunija.
Food and drinks will be sold during the concert.

Sun Pillars Yard
Talkša Lake Shore (near the “Iron Fox” sculpture)
11:30 PM – 12:30 AM
Unveiling of large-scale chamotte sculptures “Sun Pillars”, performance by Girių Dvasios.

On the evening of Joninės, from 7:00 to 9:30 PM, visit any of the five yards (excluding the Sun Pillars Yard), collect a special festival map, travel through the elemental yards, gather all stamps, and choose a souvenir gift in the Music Yard.

Organizer – Šiauliai City Municipality
Event Coordinator – Šiauliai Cultural Center
Media Partners: UAB “LT Advert,” Etaplius Media Group, IĮ “Owexx”

Dear visitors, by attending the event, you agree that it may be filmed or photographed, and that images may be shared on the Šiauliai Cultural Center website, media outlets, or social media.