Lithuania’s Accession to the EU and Europe Day Celebrated in Šiauliai

On May 7, 2026, Resurrection Square in Šiauliai was filled with music, dance, colors, and togetherness during the flash dance action “Hands Up – Europe Between the Fingers”, dedicated to celebrating Lithuania’s accession to the European Union and Europe Day. Accompanied by the song “Chica Chico” by The Roop, participants united in a shared experience of movement and music symbolizing European unity, freedom, and the living connection between people. During the action, colorful palms became symbols of different cultures, languages, and experiences merging into one shared whole.

Initiator – Šiauliai City Municipality. Organizer – Šiauliai Cultural Center.

The Europe Day events in Šiauliai had already begun on May 4 at the Rėkyva Cultural House of the Šiauliai Cultural Center, where a creative initiative brought together communities from schools and kindergartens of the city. Young participants drew and colored the flags of European countries on the pavement, creatively exploring different cultures and expressing the idea of European unity.

The Europe Day celebration continued on May 7 in the city centre with the flash dance action “Hands Up – Europe Between the Fingers” held at Resurrection Square. The celebration began with participants painting their hands in bright colors symbolizing the diversity and unity of European cultures. Before the dance began, the square was filled with a joyful atmosphere as participants rehearsed, laughed, and eagerly anticipated the shared moment. As the song “Chica Chico” by The Roop played, around 300 registered participants united in a shared experience of movement and music, performing the dance in synchrony to symbolize European unity, freedom, and human connection.

The festive period in the city will continue until May 8. The Šiauliai City Municipality Public Library actively joins the initiatives – on May 8, the “Saulė” branch will host the educational activity “The Day of Unity and Peace in Europe”. On the same day, the Šiauliai Arts School will present the exhibition of creative works “Twists of History”, featuring works 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.

Photo by Liubov Yarmoshenko.

More photos can be found on the Facebook page of the Šiauliai Cultural Center:
Šiaulių kultūros centras Facebook photo gallery