VMU ŠA Song and Dance Ensemble “Šviesa” Concert on the occasion of the restoration of Lithuanian independence

Concert of the VMU ŠA song and dance ensemble “Šviesa” dedicated to the Lithuanian Independence Restoration Day

Concert “Šok Lietuvą, jaunyste!” dedicated to the Lithuanian Independence Day

This is the 33rd year that we have welcomed spring in a free Lithuania, and we invite you to join us in celebrating Lithuania Independence Restoration Day

The programme will feature a performance by the VMU Folk-dance ensemble “Žilvitis”, and the young opera soloist Martynas Stankevičius will delight with musical colours.

Premiere of the performance H. Pinter “Modeliuotojai” by VMU ŽŪA theatre “Jovaras”

Lithuanian Higher Education Art Collective Festival “Ei, studente, sukis vėju!”

This year, the festival of Lithuanian higher education art collectives “Ei, studente, sukis vėju!” will take place at the Great Hall of VMU, hosted this year by Kaunas College folk dance collective “KauKas”. This year, the festival will be graced by folk dance groups from Kaunas and will be a bit different than in 2021 – each group will present its programme separately, and the repertoire of the groups will include not only the well-known dances, but also dances from the repertoire of the Lithuanian Song Festival of 2024.

Eight ensembles will take part in the festival:

  • Kaunas College Folk Dance Collective “KauKas”
  • KTU Folk Art Ensemble “Nemunas”
  • Kaunas university of applied engineering sciences folk dance ensemble “Pušynėlis”
  • LSMU ensemble of folk dances “Ave Vita“
  • LSMU ensemble of folk dances “Džigūnas“
  • VMU ŽŪA Folk Music Band “Ūkininkas”
  • VMU ŽŪA folk dance ensemble “Sėja”
  • VMU Folk-dance ensemble “Žilvitis”

The festival is based on the experience and traditions of the Lithuanian folk art ensemble movement. Its goals and objectives include not only artistic concert activities, but also cooperation between art groups, including art directors, dissemination of folk art, promotion of national traditions and their display to the world, and a deeper acquaintance with Lithuanian folk art culture.

Let’s all welcome spring together with a dance step!

Evening of ensembles “Gyvybės medis”

This Saturday, 19 November, the song and dance ensemble “Šviesa” (artistic director Jolanta Kisielytė-Sadauskienė) will take part in the “Gyvybės medis” evening of ensembles in Kaunas Sports Hall. This is the premiere of a theatrical concert featuring more than 1,000 performers from song and dance ensembles from all over Lithuania – the initial version of the programme that the audience will see at the centenary song festival “Kad giria žaliuotų” in 2024.

VMU Folk-dance ensemble “Žilvitis” 65th Anniversary Concert

Since 1957 our vigorous youth is still flourishing and enjoying the dance step. This year “Žilvitis” celebrates it’s 65th anniversary!
The first dance steps were taken by the dance group of the workers of the Radio Factory, but it was not until 1974 that they could proudly call themselves “Žilvitis”. In 1979, the team was joined by artistic director Danutė Petrauskaitė and, for almost 30 years, with undying enthusiasm, she created a celebration not only for Lithuanian but also for foreign audiences.
After Lithuania regained its independence, “Žilvitis” became an independent ensemble, where they went on to participate in various festivals and won several awards: in 1995 “Žilvitis” received the highest rating of creative activities in the first Lithuanian youth dance ensemble competition “Kadagys”. In 1998, the ensemble became part of the family at Vytautas Magnus University, and in 1999 won the first highest rating of the country’s amateur art collectives – “Aukso paukštė”. In 2000, “Žilvitis” attended the World Lithuanian Dance Festival in Canada, Toronto.
From 2008 and onwards “Žilvitis” dance group is accompanied by the studio head Edgaras Šnipaitis. The ensemble does not only share its art with Lithuanian spectators but also presents it all over the world – Croatia, Italy, Latvia, Turkey, India, China, Spain, Portugal, etc. And this summer, the ensemble’s name rang at North America’s XVI Lithuanian National Dance Festival in Philadelphia. With dance, “Žilvitis” displays the warmest of feelings, the breeze of nationality at Song and Dance, Baltic students, Kaunas City festivals, and others. “Žilvitis” also participates in projects, and musicals, and creates their repertoire.
For 65 years, the undying, lively youth has not stopped turning on the dance floor, and that is why we invite you to commemorate “Žilvitis” anniversary together!

Festival “Rotušės kolonada”: Youth and Knowledge Day

On the occasion of the 1st of September, the Day of Science and Knowledge, VMU Academy of Education’s song and dance ensemble “Šviesa” (artistic director Jolanta Kisielytė-Sadauskienė) will perform at the festival’s “Rotušės kolonada” concert together with the other ensembles of folk music, song and dance of students of Vilnius Higher Educational Institutions. More than 300 performers will sing, dance and play on stage. The Academic Youth Concert will feature the best-known Lithuanian folk dances, as well as folk songs developed and harmonised by Lithuanian composers. It is great to have another opportunity to enjoy the echoes of the 19th Baltic Student Festival “Gaudeamus” in Vilnius in June.

Open rehearsal of the VMU Arts Centre collective “Šviesa”

Come to an open rehearsal of the VMU Arts Centre  ŠA Song and Dance Ensemble “Šviesa” hear, see and learn about the group’s line-up, performances and opportunities to join the activity.

Performances by VMU Arts Centre groups

The Arts Centre’s collectives will invite you to performances and a fair, where you will see solo performances of Latino and folk dances, folklore ensembles, amateur theatre, folk bands and choirs, and you will also find out how you can join their activities.