Baltics Dancing Turns 60: Student Dance Festival Unites Baltic Nations in Raudondvaris
On April 12, the 60th anniversary student dance festival Baltics Dancing took place at the Raudondvaris Cultural Centre. This annual event, which rotates between the Baltic countries, returned to Lithuania this year and brought together student dance ensembles from Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia for a shared celebration.
The festival was organized by the folk dance group Sėja from Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy. The group not only performed on stage but also warmly welcomed the guests and ensured the smooth running of the event.
In addition to the organizers, the following groups participated in the celebration:
- Ūkininkas, the folk music band of Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy
- Tarbatu, the folk dance ensemble of the Estonian University of Life Sciences
- Kalve, the folk dance group of the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies
- Vėjo Malūnėlis, the folk dance group of Raudondvaris Cultural Centre in Kaunas District
During the festival, the audience had the opportunity to witness the dance traditions of different nations, enjoy live folk music, and experience the true spirit of cultural unity. Baltics Dancing became not only a celebration of dance but also of friendship, intercultural dialogue, and history—an event encouraging the preservation and sharing of national heritage.
First held in 1965, the festival has become an important tradition of student folk art and cooperation over the past six decades. It is heartening to see that the connection between the Baltic countries not only endures but grows stronger with each gathering.
Photos by Urtė Serapinaitė
