The folklore ensemble “Aidija” of Radviliškis City Culture Centre was established in 1986. Donatas Stakvilevičius has been leading the group since 2011. The ensemble’s repertoire includes songs, dances, and games from the Radviliškis region and Northern Aukštaitija. The members of the group are cheerful and friendly people who gladly sing both Samogitian and Dzūkų songs. A significant part of the ensemble’s repertoire is devoted to songs from the Šeduva area, based on ethnographic material collected by the late local historian Emilija Brajinskienė, known as Šeduvos Baba. The Šeduva regional quadrille, along with other dances and games, has been revived. Each year, the ensemble performs more than twenty concerts throughout the country.
Traditional folk songs and instrumental music performed by “Aidija” can be heard on the CD “Oi tu žirge, žirge” (2013) and the jubilee DVD release “Te skamba aidas mūs dainos” (2016). The CD released in 2023, “Radviliškio krašto tradiciniai muzikantai”, features recordings by ensemble members D. Stakvilevičius, J. Stakvilevičienė, V. Bagušienė, A. Bagušis, and B. Kiseliaus. Ensemble members play the kanklės, violins, clay instruments, skudučiai (traditional Lithuanian panpipes), horns, lamzdeliai (flutes), Pentecost horns, dambreliai, basedle, and other instruments.
The ensemble is regularly invited to participate in district, national, and international events. Since 1994, they have taken part in all folklore day programs of the “Lithuanian Song Festival”. “Aidija” has participated in national and international festivals such as “Baltica”, “Europiada”, “Tek saulužė an maračių”, “Atataria lamzdžiai”, “Skamba skamba kankliai”, the Lithuanian Singing Folklore Performers Festival-Competition “Grįžulai”, and the international folk contest-festival “Saulės žiedas”. The group has appeared on LRT TV shows like “Duokim garo”. The ensemble has represented Lithuania in Germany, Latvia, Estonia, Switzerland, and Sardinia.
The ensemble organizes and celebrates calendar festivals such as Užgavėnės (Shrovetide), Atvelykis (Easter Monday), Rasos (Midsummer), and Sekminės (Pentecost), and hosts Advent evenings. From 2009 to 2015, the ensemble initiated the international folklore festival “Ganiau palšus jautelius”, and since 2016, they have organized the Škaplierinės Pilgrimage Folklore Festival “Rytoj iš ryto rugelius kirsim”. Every year, they participate in the Baltic Unity Day events, organize the ethnocultural event “Visa Lietuva šoka” (All Lithuania Dances), and the national student folklore dance contest “Patrepsynė”. The folklore ensemble “Aidija” has prepared thematic programs such as “Įkurtuvės”, “Žmogiškumo keliu”, and “Žirgas – Dievo dovana”. Their performances emphasize the importance of patriotism, unity, and peace.
In 2023, the ensemble was awarded the “Aukso paukštė” prize for the nomination “Best Regional Folklore Ensemble and Its Leader”. In 2024, the amateur art group was granted Category I status.
The director’s credo:
“Share the song and the treasures of wisdom you have received from the honorable past of your ancestors.”
Artistic Director: Donatas Stakvilevičius
