“Pokrov Bells” is an international festival, which in a short time managed to gain great authority not only in Lithuania, but also outside it and became one of the most prestigious festivals in Lithuania. Performances are held on the most prestigious stages: at the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society, Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, Lithuanian National Drama Theatre, the Orthodox and Catholic churches, museums. “Pokrov Bells” is the only festival in the Baltic States, which annually asks composers to write in the style of World music.

The festival is named in honor of the Orthodox feast – Protection of the Holy Virgin. As you know, in old times, people completed all the farm work by the autumnal period and began celebrating village festivals, weddings; fairs were held, accompanied by singing, dancing and festivities. It is exactly on 14th October, 2004 the first festival was organized.

It is not so simple to become a member of the grand folk festival: foreign teams are sending their entries, which are monitored and selected by well-known folklorists; ensembles from Lithuania are participating in the preliminary competition. That is not surprising: the festival organizers require participants to perform the high standard of professionalism, invite only real heirs of the national traditions. This is not only masters’ principled approach; such requirements are dictated by the desire to present the best examples of folk art to multinational audience.

Initially, it was decided to hold the festival every two years. The second festival was held in 2006, the third in 2008. That year was a turning point in the festival history. At that time the whole country was preparing for the great event: in 2009, Vilnius was recognized the European Capital of Culture. The festival “Pokrov Bells” was invited to be a part of this program and proudly gained confidence of this important government program organizers. It was the time when the idea appeared to appeal to composers and try to combine the musical language of modernity with spiritual values of antiquity. So popular worldwide trend in music – World music – has not yet been sufficiently developed in Lithuania. One of the founders of such music in Lithuania is Linas Rimsha. In his works the world folklore takes fundamental place and intelligently intertwined with other musical genres and styles. The mystery Old Faith by Linas Rimsha was presented to the audience of the festival “Pokrov Bells” 2009 at the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society. Leading musicians called it a breakthrough in modern music. The compact disc was published twice, and later the right to re-release the album was received by a well-known UK company ARC Music. This undeniable success has inspired the organizers to continue the started tradition. Thus were born the works of A.Doynikov “Ethnosphere – a New Breath of Traditions“, G. Rimkus Rimkevičius “Folk Rhapsody ”, J. Jurkūnas “From This City”, “Old faith” and “The Female Song” by L. Rimša, “The Saga of Life” by A. Martinaitis, “Collages” by Z. Bružaite, “Dedication ” by A. Šenderov, “The mass of the starling”  by L. Vilkončius, which with a huge success, were presented at the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society. The Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, the folk ensemble “Arinushka” and many well-known Lithuanian performers became constant partners and prime performers. The Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra and the famous Lithuanian and foreign conductors became the permanent partners – the executors of the premiere.

​

XX INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE FESTIVAL "POKROV BELLS"

PROGRAMME

 

The 5th of November, 2025:

Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society (Aušros Vartų Str. 5)

19:00 WORLD MUSIC PROJECTS OF THE FESTIVAL

Jievaras JASINSKIS 

“ORERO” Based on Georgian folklore

A symphonic poem “DEDICATION TO ČIURLIONIS” (World Premiere)

Performers:

St. CHRISTOPHER CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

(Artistic Director and Conductor: Modestas BARKAUSKAS)

Vilnius JJAZZ Ensemble

(Artistic Director: Jievaras JASINSKIS)

Soloists:
SHARA (Georgia)

Luka MEBONIA (ethnic vocals, percussion, Georgia)
Arina ZACHAROVA (ethnic vocals, Lithuania)
David AKOPIAN (violin, Georgia)

Milena JALALBEKOVA (violin, Georgia)

Gediminas STRUPINSKAS (piano, Lithuania)
Enrikas SLAVINSKIS (acoustic guitar, bouzouki, Lithuania)

Tomas BIELIAUSKAS (oboe, Lithuania)

Giedrius GELGOTAS (flute, Lithuania)
HAND VOICES (percussion, Lithuania)

Ticket distributor KAKAVA.LT

 

The 6th of November, 2025:

Vilnius Old Town Renewal Agency (Stiklių Str. 4)

10:00 CONFERENCE

Traditional culture of ethnic communities – experience of preservation and promotion in various countries

 

Vilnius University Theater Hall (Universiteto Str. 3)

18:00 UNIQUE TRADITIONS. Performances of Lithuanian and foreign folklore groups

 

Beer House (Goštauto Str. 8)

21:00 FOLK DANCE EVENING: traditional dances, singing and meetings

 

The 7th of November, 2025:

Vilnius Old Town Renewal Agency (Stiklių Str. 4)

10:00-15:00 TRADITIONAL SINGING LABORATORY

 

St. Catherine's Church (Vilniaus Str. 30)

18:00 MUSIC FOR CONNOISSEURS 

Day 1: Performances of Lithuanian and foreign folklore groups

Day 2: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: Masterpieces of Georgian polyphonic singing. Armenian cultural heritage

Ticket distributor KAKAVA.LT

 

The 8th of November, 2025:

Vilnius County Adomas‘ Mickevičius‘ Public Library (Trakų Str. 10)

12:00-16:00 ARTISTIC PORTRAITS OF THE FESTIVAL PARTICIPANTS

Concert-marathon of Lithuanian and foreign folklore groups