From July 1 to 6, the city of the Sun will become the epicenter of international folklore festivities. The jubilee 10th edition of the international folklore competition-festival “The Flower of the Sun” will take place – one of the most important folk art events not only in Lithuania but also in the entire Baltic region.
From a Small Idea to Global Recognition
The festival began in 2005 thanks to the initiative of Darius Daknys, Rūta Stankuvienė, and Zenonas Ripinskis, in collaboration with the association “Baltų centras.” Over two decades, “The Flower of the Sun” has grown into a prominent international competition, earning recognition from FIDAF (International Federation of Folklore Festivals) and other global organizations. Just last year, “Saulės žiedas” was awarded the FIDAF Festival of the Year title!
This year, the festival received over 50 applications from around the world, and selected participants will represent 12 countries: Spain, Hungary, North Macedonia, Portugal, Slovakia, Serbia, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Ukraine, and of course, Lithuania. Throughout its history, the festival has welcomed groups from more than 40 countries – spanning Europe, South America, Australia, Asia, and North America. According to festival director Zenonas Ripinskis, it is heartening that over the past twenty years, people from across the globe have discovered Šiauliai and Lithuania. “Our aim from the beginning was to bring more people to Šiauliai, to introduce them to our land and traditions, and to foster cultural connections,” said Ripinskis.
This year, over 700 performers will participate in the festival – more than 300 from abroad and around 400 from all over Lithuania.
Artistic director Darius Daknys hopes the six-day festival will be enjoyable for both audiences and performers. “We invite different foreign performers each time, so they can present their region. That’s what makes the festival so exciting. I’m also grateful to all the Lithuanian performers who gladly accepted our invitation. I hope the weather won’t interfere with the festivities and that it brings wonderful emotions to everyone,” says Daknys.
A New Venue – More Viewers
This year’s main concerts will take place at Šiauliai’s Resurrection Square, where an even larger audience is expected. Evening concerts will be held there daily, along with interactive play zones and entertainment spaces for the whole family. Renowned Ukrainian traditional craft masters will showcase and teach traditional craftsmanship.
The festival will kick off on July 1 at 6:00 PM with a ceremonial parade along Vilniaus Street Boulevard, from the “Šiauliai” hotel to Resurrection Square (Prisikėlimo a.), where the opening ceremony and first concert will be held.
One of the festival highlights will be the massive “The Flower of the Sun” dance, in which all Šiauliai residents and city guests are invited to participate.
The Largest Folklore Competition in the Baltic States
The festival is not only a celebration but also a competition featuring six categories: traditional and stylized folk dance groups, traditional vocal and instrumental music groups, solo vocalists, and solo instrumentalists. The competition performances will take place on July 2 and 4 at Šiauliai Cultural Center.
Performances will be evaluated by an international panel of judges led by ethnomusicologist, folk performer, and TV host Loreta Sungailienė. The jury will also include experts from Romania, Spain, Portugal, Latvia, and Lithuania.
Music for the Whole City
Throughout the festival week, folklore will resonate across various Šiauliai locations – on the terrace of the “Saulės Miestas” shopping center, along Vilniaus Street Boulevard, with the main evening concerts held at Resurrection Square.
On July 3, special concerts dedicated to Lithuanian music are scheduled. At Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, the concert “Let the Kanklės Sound” will honor the Lithuanian kanklės (zither) playing tradition, recently inscribed on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list. In the evening, the concert “Jazzing Up Folklore” will feature the Lithuanian Armed Forces Orchestra and renowned trombonist Vytautas Pilibavičius, along with Loreta Sungailienė and the folklore ensemble “Salduvė.” After the concert, attendees are welcome to join the traditional dance evening “Let’s All Dance!”
Fair, Crafts, and Traditions
From July 4 to 6, Šiauliai residents and visitors are invited to one of the largest traditional crafts, culinary heritage, and folk fashion fairs the city has ever seen – turning Šiauliai into a true capital of ethnoculture.
The Grand Finale – July 6
The festival’s closing ceremony will be held on July 6, a day of national celebration marking Statehood Day (Coronation of King Mindaugas) and the National Anthem Day. On this symbolic day, the celebration will take on a special meaning as diverse world folklore unites with Lithuania’s national holiday. During the final concert, everyone will join together in singing the national anthem.
On July 6, festive events will also take place in the Šiauliai district and in Žagarė (Joniškis district), featuring performers from Spain, Hungary, Azerbaijan, and Slovakia.
Thanks to Sponsors and Partners
The festival’s success is made possible not only by organizers but also by partners and sponsors: Šiauliai City Municipality, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania, Šiauliai Cultural Center, concert agency “Saulė,” UAB “Baltic Champs,” UAB “Šiaulių spaustuvė,” “Saulės miestas” shopping center, Šiauliai Vocational Training Center, “Juventa” progymnasium, Šiauliai State College, Šiauliai Saulius Sondeckis Arts Gymnasium, and many others. Media partners include LRT, Etaplius, Šiaulių kraštas, among others.
The organizers are sincerely grateful to MP Rima Baškienė, the Šiauliai City Municipality Culture Department and other municipal staff for their ongoing support with organizational matters.
The festival’s patron is the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania, Šarūnas Birutis.
Full festival program available here
We invite everyone to visit Šiauliai from July 1 to 6 and experience the unique atmosphere of “Saulės žiedas” – a week full of folklore, music, traditional crafts, and the spirit of national unity. Šiauliai is waiting for you!