The story
Lithuanian Song Celebration in Vilnius
The Lithuanian Song and Dance Celebration, or Dainu svente, gathers tens of thousands of singers and dancers in Vilnius roughly every four to five years, centered on Vingis Park. Recognized by UNESCO in 2003 as intangible cultural heritage, it has continued since 1924 through every era of Lithuania's modern history.
Roughly once every four to five years, Vilnius hosts one of the largest expressions of collective cultural identity found anywhere in Europe: the Lithuanian Song and Dance Celebration, or Dainu svente, which brings together tens of thousands of singers, dancers, and musicians drawn from schools, community groups, and diaspora communities across the world for a multi-day festival centered on Vingis Park.