Vilnius Celebrates 701st Birthday with Music, Performances, and Community Spirit

The Lithuanian capital marked its 701st birthday on July 25th with the As Young as Vilnius festival, featuring famous Lithuanian duets, a symphonic orchestra, Rita Ora's performance, and thousands of attendees.

A Festive Atmosphere in Vingis Park

Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, celebrated its 701st birthday with the traditional As Young as Vilnius festival on July 25th. The event, held at Vingis Park, attracted thousands of residents and visitors, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with music and cultural performances.

Mayor Valdas Benkunskas's Remarks

"The festival, organized for the third year in a row, attracted thousands of residents of the capital and guests of the city to Vingis Park this year. Such events are extremely important for our city – they not only create the spirit of the city and a celebration for its residents but also help attract the attention of foreign visitors, encouraging them to visit Vilnius," said Vilnius City Mayor Valdas Benkunskas.
Diverse Musical Program

Unique Duets and Performances

The festival featured a diverse program with contemporary Lithuanian pop, rock, and electronic musicians performing unique duets with the National Lithuanian Opera and Ballet Theatre's symphonic orchestra, rhythm group, and the "Vilnius JJ Ensemble" wind band. Notable performances included:

• Jazzu and Giedrė
• Garbanotas and Monika Pundziūtė-Monique
• Nombeko Augustė and Vaidotas Valiukevičius of The Roop
• Džiugas Širvys of jautì and Inga Jankauskaitė
• Aistė Smilgevičiūtė and Giedrius Širka of Golden Parazyth
• Jurga Šeduikytė and Gamka
• Maksas Melmanas of Biplan with Rokas Yan

 

Lithuanian Eurovision representative Silvester Belt also delivered a surprising new performance.

Classical Performances

The main stage featured the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre Symphony Orchestra with internationally acclaimed soloists, including Gabrielė Kupšytė from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Lina Dambrauskaitė from the International Opera Studio in Opernhaus Zurich, and Merūnas Vitulskis known for his roles in "Madame Butterfly" and "La Traviata."
Rita Ora's Highlight Performance

Free Concert and Energetic Performance

The festival's highlight was a free concert by British pop sensation Rita Ora, marking one of her few performances after a three-year hiatus. Known for her energetic shows and collaborations with top-tier artists, Ora captivated the audience with hits from her chart-topping albums.
New Additions and Activities

Youth Stage and Emerging Talents

A new addition to the festival, the Youth Stage, showcased Lithuania's independent music scene with performances by acts like duos Baltos varnos, Kyla vėjas!, Superkoloritas, Lukas Pilkauskas, Pijus Opera, Kabloonak, DJ Nevykele, and bands like Katarsis and Shower.

Non-Musical Activities

The festival also featured a 7 km As Young As Vilnius hike from Vingis Park to the TV tower in Žvėrynas, promoting exercise and sustainable ideas. A mobile library provided festival-goers with a chance to discover new books and promote community engagement and environmental awareness.
Record-Breaking Attendance

A Growing Tradition

Launched in 2022 in anticipation of Vilnius' 700th anniversary, the festival initially attracted 45,000 attendees. Last year, attendance surged to a record-breaking 73,000, highlighting the growing popularity of this cultural celebration.

Dovilė Aleksandravičienė's Reflections

"Vilnius stands out by celebrating its birthday twice a year, capturing the city's youthful energy and diverse community spirit. This festival brings together people from various backgrounds to experience a lively and enjoyable atmosphere," said Dovilė Aleksandravičienė, CEO of Go Vilnius. "Seeing families, couples, and people of all ages dancing together and friends sharing laughter under the summer sky, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of pride for our city."

Celebrate the vibrant culture and community spirit of Vilnius with the As Young as Vilnius festival, an event that brings together music, art, and people from all walks of life.