Event Series “The Growth of the Sun. The Guardian Bear”

June 23

7:00 PM–10:00 PM “Courtyards of the Elements” Immersive experiences celebrating the ethnocultural traditions of Saint John's Eve

7:00 PM–10:00 PM Courtyard of Water
Zubov Park (50 Aušros Ave.)
The ritual experience Gates of Transformation, the interactive space White Linen Courtyard, the educational activity Mead House, creative workshops Spirits of the Trees and A Drop of Fragrance, and the musical programme The Resonant Spring featuring the folklore ensembles Salduvė (Art Director D. Daknys) and Vijolė (Art Director A. Stankus) of Šiauliai Culture Centre, together with the youth folklore ensemble Vieversėlis (Director A. Stankus) of Šiauliai Song Music School.
Special surprises await all guests named Jonas, Janina, and Janis!
Organised by Šiauliai Culture Centre

7:00 PM–10:00 PM Courtyard of Earth
Square beside Šiauliai City Municipality (62 Vasario 16-osios St.)
Traditional coin minting, leather and brass workshops, educational activities on playing wooden rattles and baking Lithuanian tree cakes (šakotis), ethnographic games, and a marketplace featuring culinary and folk-art heritage crafts.
Organised by Šiauliai Culture Centre

7:00 PM–10:00 PM Courtyard of Air
Povilas Višinskis Square (130 Vilniaus St.)
Workshops on herbal incense making and traditional smudging rituals, woven sash crafting, a tasting of Valpainiai cheeses, a butter-churning demonstration, educational activities by Valerijonas shop, folk dancing, and a culinary heritage fair. Participating dance groups include the Šiauliai Culture Centre folk dance ensemble Kalatinis (Art Directors I. Šerpytienė and E. Račkauskas), folk dance groups Vajaunas (Art Director R. Laugalis) and Šėvulis (Art Director G. Petrauskė), Šiauliai Song Progymnasium folk dance studio Šermukšnėlė and senior dance group Šermukšnis (Directors I. Šerpytienė and E. Račkauskas), as well as the folk dance ensemble Šėltinis of Šiauliai Jovaras Progymnasium and Didždvaris Gymnasium (Directors V. and R. Laugaliai, G. Urbonavičius, G. Petrauskė).
Organised by Šiauliai Culture Centre

7:00 PM–10:00 PM Courtyard of Fire
Courtyard of Vilnius University Šiauliai Academy (38 P. Višinskio St.)
Traditional fortune-telling with midsummer herbs, a herbal marketplace, the ritual performance Amber Dust, and a flint fire-making workshop.
Midsummer flower wreaths, herbal bouquets (kupolės), and amber dust will be available for purchase.
Organised by Šiauliai Culture Centre

Visitors who explore the Courtyards of the Elements will be able to collect special symbols on a festival map and redeem a commemorative gift at Sundial Square.

10:30 PM–11:30 PM Concert Programme “We Are Lithuania!”
Sundial Square (64 Ežero St.)
Featuring the Lithuanian State Ensemble Lietuva (Artistic Director G. Svilainis, Chief Conductor E. Kaveckas)
Organised by Šiauliai Culture Centre

11:45 PM Unveiling of the Large-Scale Chamotte Sculptures “Pillars of the Sun”
Featuring the Lithuanian folk songs singers’ group Rags (Pasvalys), the choreography studio Aušrelė of Šiauliai Culture Centre (Art Directors M. Kosaitis and V. Adomėnaitė-Butnorienė), the folk dance ensemble Šėltinis of Šiauliai Jovaras Progymnasium and Didždvaris Gymnasium (Directors V. and R. Laugaliai, G. Urbonavičius, G. Petrauskė), and the folk dance studio Šermukšnėlė of Šiauliai Song Progymnasium (Art Director I. Šerpytienė, Director E. Račkauskas).
Lake Talkša waterfront (near the sculpture Iron Fox)
Organised by Šiauliai Culture Centre

Unless otherwise indicated, all events are free of charge.

Presented by Šiauliai City Municipality. Organised by Šiauliai Culture Centre.