Šiauliai Celebrates Europe: From Community Initiatives to Dance in the Heart of the City

In May 2026, Šiauliai will commemorate two important occasions – the anniversary of Lithuania’s accession to the European Union and Europe Day. To mark these events, a diverse programme of activities will take place throughout the city, including community initiatives, creative projects, educational activities, quizzes, and exhibitions. These events aim not only to commemorate significant historical dates, but also to engage residents of all ages in meaningful activities that encourage the exploration of Europe’s cultural diversity, strengthen the sense of community, and foster civic awareness. It is hoped that these initiatives will become a space for meeting, sharing experiences, and once again giving meaning to the idea of European unity through living community connections.
Initiator – Šiauliai City Municipality. Organizer – Šiauliai Cultural Center. Events are free of charge.

Europe Day is an annual international celebration symbolizing peace and unity in Europe, while the anniversary of Lithuania’s membership in the European Union reminds us of the country’s path toward a shared European political, economic, and cultural space. At a time when the idea of European unity is especially relevant, the initiatives organized in Šiauliai invite residents to reflect on shared values, strengthen community spirit, and promote civic awareness.

The programme of events in Šiauliai will begin on May 4 at 1 p.m. with an activity dedicated to Europe Day in the park of the Rėkyva Cultural House. Participants will draw and color the flags of European countries on the pavement of the park, creatively exploring different cultures and expressing the idea of European unity. This initiative aims to nurture the values of European togetherness, encourage community involvement, and create a meaningful and unifying experience. Advance registration is required until April 30 by email: viktorija.malisauskaite@siauliukc.lt.

On May 7, the celebration events will move to the city centre – at 4 p.m., the flash dance action “Hands Up – Europe Between the Fingers” will take place at Resurrection Square. The event invites participants to experience Europe not through maps or historical dates, but through a living and pulsating connection between people.

The song chosen for this initiative, “Chica Chico” by The Roop, sounds like the rhythm of contemporary Europe – bold, free, slightly playful, and engaging. It combines lightness and inner strength, echoing the European idea of being different while creating one shared pulse together. The choreography has already been created and published, allowing everyone to learn it at their own pace and in their own chosen environment before joining a collective shared experience. It becomes a silent agreement between strangers – to meet not through words, but through feeling. The symbol of the initiative will be colorful palms representing different cultures, languages, and experiences merging into one vivid and living whole. Advance registration is required by email: rasa.siauciunaite@siauliukc.lt.

The festive period in the city will continue until May 8. Various educational activities, quizzes, exhibitions, and other events will be organized in Šiauliai, inviting residents to explore Europe, its cultural diversity, and shared values. The Šiauliai City Municipality Public Library actively joins the initiatives – on May 5, the “Saulė” branch will host the educational activity “Let’s Learn European Languages”; on May 7, the “Kahoot” quiz “Journey Through Europe with Fairy-Tale Characters”; and on May 8, the educational activity “The Day of Unity and Peace in Europe”. Meanwhile, the Šiauliai Arts School will present the exhibition of creative works “Twists of History” on May 8, featuring artworks by young creators exploring themes of history and European culture. The full programme can be found on the websites of the Šiauliai City Municipality and the Šiauliai Cultural Center: Šiauliai City Municipality and Šiauliai Cultural Center.

Information provided by Rasa Šiaučiūnaitė, event organizer of the Events Department at the Šiauliai Cultural Center, mobile: +370 655 25 523, email: rasa.siauciunaite@siauliukc.lt.

Photos by Liubov Yarmoshenko and Rolandas Parafinavičius.