World-Renowned Violinist Eglė Jarkova to Perform in Šiauliai During the City’s Anniversary Year

On 1 August 2026 at 5 p.m., the concert “Homecoming” will take place in the Chamber Hall of Šiauliai Culture Centre – a gift from the international summer music festival “Vivace Vilnius” to the City of the Sun as it celebrates its 790th anniversary. After many years, Eglė Jarkova, one of the honorary ambassadors of the city’s anniversary year and an internationally performing violinist, returns to Šiauliai for a concert. This will be more than a concert – it will be a return to the place where her first musical dreams were born and a heartfelt expression of gratitude to the city that accompanied the first steps of her creative journey.
Organised by Šiauliai Culture Centre. The event is free of charge, admission with invitations.

Currently based in Boston (USA), Eglė Jarkova is a Lithuanian violinist pursuing an international career, a chamber musician, educator and initiator of cultural projects. She is the founder and artistic director of the international summer music festival “Vivace Vilnius”. Over fourteen years, the festival has become one of the most important summer classical music events in Lithuania, bringing together world-class performers, educators and the most promising young musicians from countries around the world. Yet the beginning of all these international stages was here – in Šiauliai. In the city where her first musical steps were taken and where a dream was born that would later open the doors to the world.

Today, Eglė not only performs across Europe and North America and initiates international cultural projects, but also remains closely connected to her hometown. Therefore, her return during Šiauliai’s anniversary year is particularly symbolic – she returns to her hometown not only as a world-renowned violinist, but also as one of the ambassadors of Šiauliai’s 790th anniversary. This time, the title of the concert, “Homecoming”, takes on a special meaning – it is a story about a connection with one’s hometown that remains regardless of time or distance.

At the concert on 1 August, together with pianist Christina Wright-Ivanova (USA / Canada / UAE), Eglė Jarkova will perform one of the most remarkable works of chamber music – César Franck’s Sonata for Violin and Piano. This masterpiece of the Romantic era will invite listeners on a musical journey filled with emotion, lyricism and inner strength.

The evening’s programme will also feature young talents from the international summer music festival “Vivace Vilnius”. Pianist Povilas Ušinskis will perform works by Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, while violinist Bernadeta Januškaitė will present music by George Gershwin to the audience. Another touching highlight of the concert will be a symbolic programme of three musical greetings performed by Eglė Jarkova and pianist Inga Vyšniauskaitė. It will feature a work by Balys Dvarionas from Lithuania, music by Myroslav Skoryk from Ukraine and a work by John Williams from the United States – like a musical bridge connecting different cultures, countries and people.

Pianist Christina Wright-Ivanova, who will appear on stage together with Eglė Jarkova, is a highly regarded chamber musician in the international classical music community, performing in the United States, Canada, Europe and the Middle East. They will be joined by Inga Vyšniauskaitė, a long-standing accompanist of the “Vivace Vilnius” festival, pianist and educator, as well as two promising musicians of Lithuania’s younger generation – pianist Povilas Ušinskis and Šiauliai-born violinist Bernadeta Januškaitė, whose achievements in national and international competitions already distinguish them as outstanding performers of their generation.

The concert will bring together performers of different generations and experiences, united by a common language – music. Alongside professionals pursuing international careers, talented young Lithuanian musicians who are already earning recognition at national and international competitions will also take the stage. This dialogue between different generations is an integral part of the idea behind the “Vivace Vilnius” festival, reflecting the continuity of music and the connection between tradition and the future.

The organisers draw attention to the fact that admission to the concert is with free invitations, which are available at the Šiauliai Culture Centre box office and on the website www.ticketmarket.lt.
Box office opening hours: weekdays 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sat–Sun 1 hour before the event. Box office tel. +370 683 57 691. The number of seats is limited.

Information is provided by Edita Smindriūnaitė, Head of the Exhibitions Department of Šiauliai Culture Centre, mob. +370 656 13 886, e-mail edita.smindriunaite@siauliukc.lt.

Photos by Diana Levine and from the performers’ personal archives.