The 10th Jubilee International Folk Contest-Festival “The Flower of the Sun” concluded in Šiauliai with a spectacular and memorable final concert. During the grand finale, the winners of the festival’s Grand Prix and other awards were announced. F.I.D.A.F. President for Europe Cătălin Gabriel Oancea congratulated the organizers and presented the official F.I.D.A.F. Best Festival Award to the “Saulės žiedas” festival.
The main prize of the festival, along with a €1500 voucher, was awarded to one of the brightest participants of this year’s event – the folklore ensemble “Grupo Folclórico de Faro” from Portugal. The Audience Award was presented to a folklore ensemble from Poland “Krakus”.
Several special awards were also handed out during the closing concert.
The prize established by the Cultural Committee of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania and its Chairman Kęstutis Vilkauskas went to Serbia “Smederevo”.
The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania awarded its prize to the ensemble “Kralytsa” from Ukraine.
The prize of the international jury chair, ethnomusicologist Dr. Loreta Sungailienė, was presented to the Patricia Izquierdo González from Spain.
The Tradition Preservation Award went to an ensemble from Azerbaijan „Vatan Music Group“.
The impressive 10th International Folk Contest-Festival “The Flower of the Sun”, which lasted six days, has become one of the largest international events not only in Lithuania but also in the Baltic region. The festival brought together more than 700 performers from twelve countries: Azerbaijan (Vatan Music Group), Estonia (Duo Paulina & Miia), Hungary (Kincső), Latvia (Āre), North Macedonia (Oteks Folk), Poland (Krakus), Portugal (Grupo Folclórico de Faro), Serbia (Smederevo), Slovakia (Lipovec), Spain (Danzas Burgalesas Justo Del Río), Ukraine (Kralytsia) and Lithuania.
For an entire week, Šiauliai was filled with music, dancing, smiles, and a wonderful atmosphere.
The “Flower of the Sun” festival is an international cradle of folklore, cultures, and traditions, where heritage is cherished and nurtured with love.
The festival organizers extend their heartfelt thanks to the Cultural Committee of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania, the Šiauliai City Municipality, and all other partners who contributed to the success of the event.
