ŠVENTARAGIS

Festival "Šventaragis" Invites You to Dream of Vilnius Together

Exclusive Concerts on Gediminas Castle Hill

One of the most famous legends of Vilnius tells of a dream that became a city. When Grand Duke Gediminas dreamed of a Iron Wolf howling atop a hill, a city was prophesied whose fame would echo throughout the world. Since then, Vilnius has been defined not only by its history but by the narrative that continues to shape the city's identity.

However, this story did not end with the city's founding. It lives on in legends, on the slopes of ancient hills, in the memories of its people, and is constantly rediscovered in today's culture. This September, Vilnius invites you not only to remember its origin legend but to experience it—through music, history, community, and nocturnal exploration of the city.

Project "Let's Dream of Vilnius Together"

On September 9–12, the capital will host the cultural project "Let's Dream of Vilnius Together," inviting you to discover the city through its legends, history, and music. This is a new format for the "Šventaragis" festival, where concerts, tours, education, forums, and night experiences merge into a single four-day narrative about a city born from a dream.

Šventaragis Valley – The Heart of the Festival

A large portion of the festival events will take place in the Šventaragis Valley—a unique location in Vilnius inseparably linked to the city's origins. The area connecting Gediminas Castle Hill, the Bernardine Garden, the House of the Plasterer, and the Old Arsenal stands out for its distinct atmosphere where history, nature, and modern city life meet.

"The Šventaragis Valley has a special aura. It is a place where Vilnius' history, legends, and modern life naturally intersect. We wanted to create an event that allows people not just to hear these stories, but to experience them while being in their very heart," says Marius Tumšys, head of "Creators 76" and one of the festival organizers.

Concerts on Gediminas Castle Hill

One of the brightest highlights of the festival will be the concerts on Gediminas Castle Hill—an exclusive location in Vilnius that opens for events only once a year. This year’s stage will feature:

• Nouvelle Vague (France)

• Giedrė

• Saulius Petreikis

• Mantas Jankavičius

The history of the "Šventaragis" festival began in 2024 with a concert by Andrius Mamontovas. In 2025, the stage featured the group "Žalvarinis," Marijonas Mikutavičius, Gabrielė Vilkickytė, and the project "FUME." This year, the tradition continues, expanding the content with various cultural activities.

When Sound Becomes Intimate and Experience Personal

One of the most prominent innovations of this year's festival is two concerts where the sound will reach listeners through wireless headphones:

• September 9th – Nouvelle Vague performance.

• September 12th – Mantas Jankavičius concert.

This format was chosen to create a closer contact between the artist and the listener. The sound becomes very personal, removing the usual distance between the stage and the audience, which perfectly aligns with this year's festival theme.

Program Highlights

• The program includes tours of lesser-known city stories, educational activities for families, lectures, and creative workshops.

• A forum will be held with journalist and host Rytis Zemkauskas.

• On the evening of September 11th, a procession to Gediminas Castle Hill will take place with high priestess Inija Trinkūnienė and the folklore group "Kūlgrinda," culminating in a concert by Saulius Petreikis.

Due to the limited space on Gediminas Castle Hill, the number of tickets is restricted. Some events are free, while others require separate tickets.

Festival "Šventaragis" invites you not only to watch the events but to become a part of the living history of Vilnius—hear the legends, experience them, and for at least one night, dream of Vilnius together.