International Sculpture Creative Workshop “Baltic Nights” Returns to Šiauliai

From 17 to 23 August 2026, the international sculpture creative workshop “Baltic Nights” returns to Šiauliai for its second consecutive year, bringing together artists from the three Baltic States – Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Marking the 37th anniversary of the Baltic Way, artists with diverse creative backgrounds will gather in the garden of the P. Bugailiškis Ethnology Centre of Šiauliai Culture Centre (Žemaitės St. 83), where they will experiment not only with materials and forms, but also with space, sound and ideas. Visitors will have an opportunity to observe the creative process up close and witness how ideas inspired by unity and historical memory are transformed into works of art.
Organised by Šiauliai Culture Centre. Funded by Šiauliai City Municipality. All events are free of charge.

23 August marks Baltic Way Day, commemorating one of the most powerful symbols of unity and the pursuit of freedom shared by Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. On this day in 1989, around two million people joined hands to form a human chain stretching for more than 600 kilometres and connecting Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn. Baltic Way Day not only preserves the memory of this historic event, but also serves as a reminder of the solidarity, togetherness and shared values that united the people of the three Baltic nations in pursuit of a common goal.

Šiauliai Culture Centre’s “Baltic Nights” continues this idea of togetherness through the language of contemporary art. More than just a creative workshop, the initiative is also a project of cultural diplomacy. Last year, participants were symbolically invited to bring their creative ideas to life in the former “Baltija” complex. This year, a new symbolic location has been chosen – the surroundings of the former home of Peliksas Bugailiškis, a prominent Šiauliai intellectual, lawyer, museum professional and cultural figure. His commitment to preserving cultural heritage, historical memory and strengthening the community remains relevant today, while the project offers an opportunity to continue these ideas through new forms of contemporary art.

The creative week will begin on 17 August at 6 p.m. at the Šiauliai Culture Centre Gallery “Laiptai”. During the official opening, this year’s “Baltic Nights” participants will be introduced, alongside the opening of “Migrating Dialogues”, an exhibition of sculptures by renowned sculptor and Vilnius Academy of Arts professor Arvydas Ališanka. Created during different periods, his works will come together in a new context, entering into dialogue with one another, the exhibition space and the viewer.

The following day, “Baltic Nights” will move to the garden of the P. Bugailiškis Ethnology Centre, which from 18 to 22 August will be transformed into an open-air art laboratory. Five artists will work there daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Triinu Jürves and Kaarel Kütas from Estonia, Roberts Bāliņš from Latvia, and Kazys Venclovas and Jonas Vaitkevičius from Lithuania. Within this creative environment, the artists’ ideas will interact with their surroundings, while visitors will be able to observe the entire process of creating an artwork – from the initial concept and choice of materials to its final form. Some of the works created during the week will remain in the garden of the P. Bugailiškis Ethnology Centre, becoming a permanent part of this cultural space.

The week-long creative process will be complemented by a number of additional events. On 19 August at 7 p.m., renowned Šiauliai drummer, composer, performer and writer Gintautas Gascevičius will present his latest mystical novel “KA ir BA” in the garden of the P. Bugailiškis Ethnology Centre. The presentation will be accompanied by an original musical performance in which acoustic instruments, electronics, unexpectedly sounding objects, visuals and improvisation will merge into a unified sonic experience. The evening twilight, dramatic lighting and the living pulse of nature will become an integral part of the performance atmosphere.

On 23 August, Baltic Way Day, the creative workshop will culminate at 7 p.m. with the opening of an exhibition featuring the works created during the project. In the garden of the P. Bugailiškis Ethnology Centre, visitors will be able to see artworks produced throughout the week, reflecting the perspectives of Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian artists on togetherness, national identity, historical memory and contemporary artistic concerns. The final highlight will be a concert of original music by composer Antanas Jasenka – a symbolic farewell to this year’s creative workshop until the next gathering.

Programme:
International Sculpture Creative Workshop “Baltic Nights” programme

Photos from the artists’ personal archives.

For more information, please contact Kristina Alseikė, Event Organiser at the Exhibitions Department of Šiauliai Culture Centre, tel. +370 658 80 507, email: kristina.alseike@siauliukc.lt.