Dialogue Between Nature and Culture on the Occasion of Earth Day in Šiauliai

On March 20, 2026, the spring equinox—when day and night become equal, reminding us of the fragile balance of the world—World Earth Day is celebrated. It is a day that invites us to pause, listen, and reconsider humanity’s responsibility for the environment. In Šiauliai, this date is marked through a dialogue between culture and nature – traditionally, a bird and bat nest exhibition–competition will stretch along Kaštonų Alley, activities for families and children will take place, and a documentary film will be screened. This year, the main celebration and most of the events will take place in Rėkyva, where the calmness of the lake, the rustling of trees, and the open space are expected to naturally merge with community gatherings and meaningfully embody Earth Day events.
Initiator – Šiauliai City Municipality. Organizer – Šiauliai Cultural Center. Partner – Šiauliai Young Naturalists’ Center. Events are free of charge.

Earth Day began to be celebrated worldwide in the second half of the 20th century, aiming to draw attention to environmental problems and humanity’s responsibility for the future of the planet. It is not only an ecological initiative but also a reminder that Earth is our shared home. On the spring equinox, the Earth flag is raised in many cities, while campaigns and community gatherings are held worldwide, inviting people not only to talk about nature conservation but also to take action.

Rėkyva is a place where nature is not just a background. Here it becomes a living participant in the events: trees, water, and the voices of birds create an environment where culture gains an even deeper meaning. “For us, Earth Day is not just a date on the calendar. It is an opportunity to restore the dialogue between humans and nature through culture. In Rėkyva, this dialogue resonates particularly sensitively – among trees, water, and the voices of the community. We believe that through small, creative actions we can cultivate great awareness,” says Deimantė Bačiulė, Director of the Šiauliai Cultural Center.

The Earth Day event cycle began already on March 1 at the Rėkyva Cultural House of the Šiauliai Cultural Center, where the educational workshop “Rėkyva Birds” took place. During the workshop, participants created decorative bird ornaments intended for a special purpose – to decorate a tree growing in the park nearby. During the main event, these birds will be hung on the tree in order to create an initiative where the tree “blooms” with as many birds as possible – a living symbol that caring for the Earth begins with a small but meaningful action.

From March 5 to 20, the traditional bird and bat nest exhibition–competition is organized in Kaštonų Alley by the Šiauliai Cultural Center together with the Šiauliai Young Naturalists’ Center. This initiative encourages the public to take interest in local birds and bats, their habitats, and their importance to nature. Educational institutions of the city create nest boxes for different bird species, and the exhibition will be accompanied by informational stands introducing the diversity of birds. The exhibition will also be complemented by bird sounds played in the surroundings – like an invisible connection between the city and the wild. After the exhibition, the nest boxes will be transferred to the Šiauliai Young Naturalists’ Center and the Rėkyva Cultural House for further use.

On March 14 at 3:00 PM, experiential gongs – a sacred sound vibration journey for the soul – will take place in the entertainment hall “Maksas” of the Šiauliai Cultural Center. During the sound session, gongs, Tibetan and crystal bowls, a monochord, drum, Native American love flute, and other instruments with archaic sounds will be played. It is believed that deep relaxation helps restore the body and mind’s energy, reduce stress, and expand the boundaries of perception. The sound journey will be led by certified sound practitioner Artūras Arti. Admission – with invitations.

On March 18 at 1:00 PM, the documentary film–poem “Sengirė” (dir. Mindaugas Survila) will be screened at the Šiauliai Cultural Center, inviting viewers on a journey through the last remaining areas of ancient forests in Lithuania. Through authentic forest sounds and imagery, the importance of preserving natural forests is revealed. Admission – with invitations.

On March 20, the Earth Day flag will be raised in Prisikėlimo Square. From 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, children’s and youth-recorded wishes for the Earth will be played through the square’s sound system, intertwining with bird sounds. On the same day at 5:30 PM, the main Earth Day celebration will take place in the park of Rėkyva Cultural House. The program includes the Earth Day flag-raising ceremony, community tree decoration with birds created during the workshops, and a concert by the Šiauliai Cultural Center vocal studio “Rokoko” (art director R. Kauneckaitė) and choreographic studio “Impresija” (art director I. Širvienė). It is hoped that the evening program, filled with music and the community-created tree, will become a sensitive symbol of the dialogue between humans and nature.

This year’s Earth Day events in Šiauliai invite people not only to observe but also to participate – to create, listen, feel, and simply be. Because the Earth begins with ourselves: with a spoken wish, a hung nest box, a tree decorated by the community, and shared moments under the spring sky. The full program of World Earth Day events can be found on the websites of the Šiauliai City Municipality (www.siauliai.lt) and the Šiauliai Cultural Center (www.siauliukc.lt).

Information provided by Vaida Dambrauskienė, Head of the Education Department of the Šiauliai Cultural Center, tel. +370 678 53 171, e-mail vaida.dambrauskiene@siauliukc.lt.

Photo by Liubov Yarmoshenko.