Award Ceremony for the Šiauliai Cultural Center Chamber Choir Atžalynas and Festive Concert “Sun and Clouds”

On June 6 at 4 p.m., the Šiauliai Cultural Center will host the presentation ceremony of the “Golden Bird” award to the Šiauliai Cultural Center Chamber Choir Atžalynas (artistic director Mindaugas Žalalis), followed by the festive concert “Sun and Clouds”.

The event will feature the Šiauliai Cultural Center Chamber Choir Atžalynas (artistic director Mindaugas Žalalis), along with an instrumental group: Rimvydas Mitkus (keyboards), Simas Aleknavičius (bass guitar), Ilja Kanapelka (percussion), and other performers.

The chamber choir “Atžalynas” is a collective with more than three decades of history, bringing together people of different professions and worldviews united by their love of choral music. Founded in 1992 by choir conductor and associate professor of Šiauliai University Marija Žibūdienė, the choir has nurtured the ideas of community and renewal from the very beginning. Its name symbolically reflects growth, vitality, and constant creative transformation.

An important chapter in the choir’s history was shaped by Jurgita Juozūnienė, who led the choir from 2006 to 2016 and distinguished “Atžalynas” through its gentle, unified sound and the sincere dedication of its singers. Since 2016, the choir has been led by artistic director Mindaugas Žalalis (born in 1975), a representative of a third-generation musical dynasty, choir conductor, educator, and active participant in Lithuania’s musical life. His activities are wide-ranging – he works as an organizer, choirmaster, musician, conductor, and artist, consistently contributing to the development of choral culture. Under his leadership, “Atžalynas” continues to strengthen its artistic level, expand its repertoire, and preserve the choir’s identity. The director himself emphasizes the importance of maintaining the idea encoded in the choir’s name – “young growth,” symbolizing constant renewal that continues to unite the ensemble today.

Over the past decade, “Atžalynas” has remained active and creative, preparing new programs every year, performing in Šiauliai, throughout the region, and across Lithuania, as well as participating in international festivals and competitions. The choir collaborates with other choirs, musicians, and performers, implements various musical projects, and in 2022 released the CD “Choral Meetings,” commemorating its long-standing creative journey.

The choir’s repertoire is broad, ranging from arrangements of Lithuanian folk songs to works by Lithuanian and foreign composers, as well as sacred music. The ensemble also maintains the tradition of presenting sacred music programs during the festive season, while the choir members’ sense of togetherness is strengthened not only through rehearsals, but also through concerts, trips, and participation in song festivals.

Throughout its years of activity, “Atžalynas” has received numerous significant awards and recognitions. The choir has become a laureate of competitions, received first- and second-degree diplomas, and in 2010 was awarded Lithuania’s highest amateur art distinction – the “Golden Bird”. In recent years, the choir has continued its active and creative work through important projects and achievements: in 2022 it performed Antonio Vivaldi’s “Gloria”; in 2023 it participated in the Krakow choir festival “Cracovia Cantans” and received a silver diploma; in 2024 it presented the traditional concert “On the Calm Morning of Christmas”, contributed to the organization of the regional song festival “The Sun is Rising”, participated in the Stasys Šimkus Choir Competition and earned a second-degree diploma; and in 2025 it presented arias and choruses from Jules Massenet’s opera-oratorio “Mary Magdalene”, took part in the 42nd International Festival of Religious Music “Resurrexit” in Šiauliai, and participated in international competitions, including the Hull International Choir Competition in the United Kingdom, where it received gold and silver diplomas. These achievements reflect the choir’s consistent growth, high artistic level, and active presence on the international choral music scene.

Admission is free with complimentary tickets, available from May 27 at 9 a.m. at the box office of the Šiauliai Cultural Center and online at Ticket Market.
Box office opening hours on weekdays: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays: 1 hour before the event.
Box office phone: +370 683 57 691.
The number of seats is limited.

Event duration: approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

Organizer – Šiauliai Cultural Center.

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