The ‘Rudeninės’ International Festival is back!

On 25–26 September, a colourful tree of nations will blossom in Visaginas, and we will ‘taste’ its ripe fruits at the 10th ‘Rudeninės’ International Festival of National Cultures! 
There is a legend about a mysterious tree, on whose branches colourful and fragrant flowers bloom and magical, soul-healing fruits ripen. These are the traditions of different peoples, enriching one another. Those who have tasted these fruits are celebrated for their abilities and talents. This tree sprouts, blossoms and bears fruit every two years in Lithuania, in the town of Visaginas.
______________
22 September – 22 October 
Visaginas Cultural Centre ‘Druzhba’, 7 Parko Street
‘Moments’ photography exhibition as part of the ‘Autumn’ International Festival of National Cultures
______________
25 September (Friday)
18:00 Festival parade (from the ‘Druzhba’ Cultural Centre (7 Parka Street) – along Sedulina Avenue – past the ‘Lidl’ shop – past the ‘Moki-Veži’ shop – to the Cultural Centre’s small amphitheatre (5 Nadezhdy Street)
18:40 Festival opening (in the courtyard of the Cultural Centre);
Concert – a dance evening with audience participation
______________

26 September (Saturday) Sedulinos Avenue
10.00–21.00 Craft Fair
12.00 Opening of the craft pavilions
Traditional craftspeople from various ethnographic regions of Latvia and Lithuania will present certified traditional products and run educational programmes. 
Representatives from Romnesa Ltd will also take part, presenting an educational programme entitled ‘A demonstration of how to make šakoča – one of the most popular desserts prepared for weddings’.
‘Autumn Cultures Hour’ – an arts programme in the folk pavilions.
Performances by groups from the Visaginas Cultural Centre and their guests:
10.00 Belarusian Culture Hour;
11.00 Lithuanian/Latvian Culture Hour;
12.00 Hour of Russian culture;
13.00 Hour of Tatar / Kyrgyz culture;
14.00 Hour of Ukrainian culture;
15.00 Hour of Uzbek culture;
16.00 Hour of Polish culture;
17.00 Hour of Armenian culture.

18.00 – 21.00 Grand Evening Concert ‘Harvest of Cultures’: Belarusian folk song ensemble ‘Uzory’, led by Lidiya Znotina (Latvia, Livani);
Latvian folk dance ensemble ‘Dagda’, led by Marika Vaičule (Latvia, Dagda);
‘Gojus’ folk ensemble of the Širvintos Cultural Centre, led by Stasė Pivoriūnienė (Lithuania);
‘Yuryev Day’ Russian folk ensemble, led by Polina Turkova (Latvia, Riga);
‘Ilyinskaya Pyatnitsa’ Studio of Authentic Russian Folklore, led by Sergey Olenkin (Latvia, Riga);
‘Efsane’ Lithuanian Tatar Folk Ensemble, led by Elnara Churlu (Vilnius);
The Ukrainian folk ensemble ‘More’, led by ethnomusicologist Yuri Pastushenko (Poland, Warsaw);
The ‘Kapella Apostola’ ensemble of traditional Ukrainian instrumental music (Poland, Warsaw);
The ‘Friendship of Nations’ National Ensemble (Uzbekistan, Tashkent);
The ‘Elk’ Masurian Song and Dance Ensemble, led by Piotr Witaszczyk (Poland, Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship);
Elena Esayan (vocals) and Tigran Tumanyan (duduk), Asmik Bagoyan — a singer and actress performing Armenian folk songs (Latvia, Riga)

______________

27 September (Sunday)
‘Greetings from Home’ — creative gatherings, creative workshops, and opportunities for guests to interact with local ethnic communities and groups. The programme is organised at the discretion of the ethnic minority community hosting the guests.

Organiser: Visaginas Cultural Centre
Funding: Visaginas Municipality, Department of National Minorities under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania