National Lithuanian song festival, symbol of unity and strength – Jogile’s goosebump moment

< homepage

(text video)

The power of singing

Human beings always live with music, it accompanies us even from our mother’s womb. It is an art that makes us remember, smile and even through it many of us have come to know and share with people that otherwise might not have been possible.

It is also said that music is “the true universal language” and that it also connects us with the deepest part of our soul, which is why when we listen to or sing a particular song we feel deeply moved, to the point of letting a tear escape.

Music and song are strongly rooted in Lithuanian folk culture. Proof of this are the numerous festivals held throughout the year in the country. Traditional songs (dainos) have existed since feudal times and are the oldest folkloric testimony of the country.

Music of Lithuania

Lithuanian music refers to all forms of music associated with Lithuania, which has a long history of folk, popular and classical musical development. Music was an important part of polytheistic and pre-Christian Lithuania: rituals were accompanied by musical instruments and singing, the deeds of heroes and those who did not return from war were celebrated with songs.

Music was a very important part of the ancient Lithuanian polytheistic belief. It is known that, at the beginning of the second millennium, Baltic tribes had special funeral traditions in which the deeds of the dead were narrated by recitation, and there were also ritual songs about war campaigns, heroes and rulers.

The first professional music was introduced in Lithuania with traveling monks in the 11th century. After the Christianization of Lithuania in 1387, religious music began to spread, Gregorian chant was introduced. Itinerant musicians organized concerts in the mansions and castles of the Lithuanian nobility, local cappellas were founded.