VMU Arts Festival Dedicated to Europe Day
On May 9th, we invite the entire Vytautas Magnus University community and the wider public to the VMU Arts Festival dedicated to Europe Day. This special occasion brings together all the VMU Arts Centre ensembles on one stage – talented students, alumni, and their artistic leaders – whose work reflects not only a passion for creativity but also a vibrant cultural pulse within the university.
The Arts Festival is a moment of joy, inspiration, and unity that we eagerly anticipate. We hope this event becomes a cherished tradition, inviting everyone to celebrate the achievements of the VMU Arts Centre’s ensembles. This year, the celebration also serves as a symbolic tribute to Europe Day – because it is through the arts that we can express togetherness, peace, cultural diversity, and freedom – the values that unite us as a community, as a university, and as citizens of Europe.
During the event, you’ll see performances from all VMU Arts Centre ensembles, presenting their work from throughout the year – dances, songs, and theatrical acts:
- VMU Academic Choir “Vivere Cantus”
- VMU Folklore Ensemble “Linago”
- VMU Folk Dance Ensemble “Žilvitis”
- VMU Ballroom Dance Studio
- VMU Agriculture Academy Folk Music Band “Ūkininkas”
- VMU Agriculture Academy Folk Dance Group “Sėja”
- VMU Agriculture Academy Theater “Jovaras”
- VMU Education Academy Song and Dance Ensemble “Šviesa”
Where? VMU Great Hall (S. Daukanto St. 28, Kaunas)
When? May 9th, 6:00 PM
The event is free and open to all!
An Evening of Lithuanian Dances with VMU “Linago”
On Monday, April 7, join us for an evening of Lithuanian dances. Whether you know how to dance or are a complete beginner, whether you come with a partner or alone, everyone is welcome!
6:00 PM – Dance Workshop
Deimantas Makrickas will teach the art of traditional couple spins and dances such as Joniškėlio trepsiukas, Avietėlė, Melnykas, and more. The workshop will be accompanied by the ensemble Kauno bandonija (led by Algirdas Kasperavičius and Vilius Marma).
7:00 PM – Dance Evening
The event will begin with a nod to the Lent period through Lithuanian folk circle games, led by the Ratilėlis folklore ensemble from the Kaunas Cultural Center (led by Austėja Alminaitė). Throughout the evening, music will be performed by ensembles Jazminai, Šilko stygos, VMU Linago (led by Vidmantas Paleckis and Rūta Klungevičiūtė), as well as musicians Deimantas Makrickas (accordion), Giedrius Bagdonas (bandoneon), Svajūnas Birgiolas (saxophone, accordion), and others.
Venue: Event Hall of the Kaunas City Museum’s Folk Music Branch (L. Zamenhofo St. 4, Kaunas)
Admission: 4 euros
VDU Theater “Jovaras” Performance – “The Journey”
We invite you to VMU Theater “Jovaras” youth creative production “The Journey.”
Cast: Vėjūnas Aukselis, Ieva Baškevičiūtė, Greta Juodiškytė, Vaida Juosponytė, Monika Karkliūtė, Vilius Lizdenis, Akvilė Lukošiūtė, Kristupas Rimašauskas, Laima Tomkevičiūtė, Jonas Viržonis
Theater Director: Remigija Sadzevičienė
Theater Manager: Mindaugas Kiburys
April 2, 2025, at 6:00 PM
Ceremonial Hall of the Central Building at VMU Agriculture Academy (Studentų St. 11, Akademija, Kaunas District)
Admission is free.
Student Dance Festival “Baltics Dancing”
Baltics Dancing is a student dance festival with a history dating back to 1965. The festival is alternately hosted in the Baltic countries, and this time, it will take place in Lithuania. Celebrating its honorable 60th anniversary, the event will bring together students from Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia for a shared celebration. The festival is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of folk dances, songs, and the cultural heritage of the three Baltic nations.
The anniversary folk dance festival will be held at the Raudondvaris Cultural Center on April 12, 2025, at 4:00 PM.
Organizers:
The folk dance group Sėja from the Agriculture Academy of Vytautas Magnus University.
Participants:
- Ūkininkas, the folk music ensemble of the 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 the Raudondvaris Cultural Center in Kaunas District.
Ei, studente, sukis vėju!
We warmly invite you to the annual festival of art collectives from Lithuanian universities, “Ei, studente, sukis vėju!” dedicated to the commemoration of the Restoration of the State of Lithuania.
The festival will take place on March 11, 2025, at 15:00 in the VDU Great Hall (S. Daukanto St. 28, Kaunas).
PROGRAM
Opening of the celebration. National anthem and welcoming speeches.
Program by the “Sėja” national dance collective of Vytautas Magnus University Academy of Agriculture and the “Ūkininkas” folk music band.
Program by the “Pušynėlis” national dance collective of the Lithuanian College of Engineering.
Program by the “Kaukas” national dance collective of Kaunas College.
Program by the “Džigūnas” national dance collective of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences.
Program by the “Žilvitis” national dance collective of Vytautas Magnus University.
Program by the “Ave Vita” national dance ensemble of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences.
Acknowledgment to the heads of the collectives.
Closing of the festival. Student anthem “Gaudeamus.”
Presentation of VMU Arts Centre activities during Orientation Days
Concert of the 35th anniversary of the restoration of VDU
On 25 April, a concert will take place in the Great Hall of VMU (S. Daukanto g. 28), featuring the VMU Chamber Orchestra, the joint symphony orchestra of the students of the Academy of Music and the VMU Academic Choir “Vivere Cantus”. The concert will start at 17.30.
Student dance festival “Baltija dejo”
“Baltija dejo” is a student dance festival dating back to 1965. Every year, the festival brings together dancers from the three Baltic States – Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia – to celebrate dance and tradition. This year, the honor of organizing the “Baltija dejo” festival goes to the Latvian University of Biosciences and Technology and the folk dance ensemble “Kalve”.
The festival concert “Baltija dejo”, which will also feature the folk dance group “Sėja” from the Vytautas Magnus University Academy of Agriculture and the folk music band “Ūkininkas,” will take place on March 23rd at 17:00. The event will be held at the Jelgava House of Culture, Jelgava, Latvia.
In addition to Lithuanian dancers, the festival will also showcase the folk dance ensemble “Tarbatu” from the Estonian University of Life Sciences, as well as the folk dance groups “Kalve” and “VPDK Kalve” from the Latvian University of Life Sciences and Technology.
We are thrilled to be part of such a beautiful tradition.
VMU Chamber Orchestra concert “With Love – To the Rhythm of Viennese Waltz”
VMU Chamber Orchestra
Principal Conductor Vytautas Lukočius
Soloists:
Ona Kolobovaitė (soprano)
Egidijus Bavikinas (tenor)
On the occasion of Women’s Day, the Great Hall of the VMU will host a series of Viennese operetta gems – arias, duets and orchestral numbers by Johann Strauss, Franz Lehár and Imre Kalman. These composers are undoubtedly the most famous creators of the new Viennese operetta, and their music is performed by the charismatic soloists Ona Kolobovaitė, Egidijus Bavikinas and the VMU Chamber Orchestra, led by Maestro Vytautas Lukočius. The concert, pulsating with waltz rhythm and good mood, invites all women to celebrate International Women’s Day in a fun and carefree way!
Arias and duets from Strauss operettas, polkas and marches performed by the VMU Chamber Orchestra will be performed.
Concert “Laisvės žingsniai” on the Day of Restoration of Independence of Lithuania by the VMU folk dance group “Žilvitis”
Let’s celebrate the restored freedom together with the VMU folk dance group “Žilvitis” at the concert “Laisvės žingsniai” on March 11th at 14:00 in the VMU Great Hall (S. Daukanto st. 28, Kaunas)!
VMU Folk Dance Collective “Žilvitis” together with performers Vilius Marma, Martynas Stankevičius, Karolina Činikaitė-Stankevičienė and Rugilė Maksvytė will present a concert programme, where the audience will see the stage performances of folk dance, will listen the repertoire of the upcoming centenary Song Celebration Dance Day, and will listen to the well-known vocal and instrumental compositions.
The event is free of charge.