Web page of Youth folk dance ensemble "Sietuva" (Vilnius/Lithuania)

news

2011 June    Gaudeamus XVI

„Sietuva“ this summer will participate in student‘s song and dance festival „Gaudeamus XVI“.

The three Baltic States share not only the Baltic Sea and the unique culture, but also an old tradition of song celebrations. The students’ song and dance celebration “Gaudeamus” having existed for more than a half of century is a significant live cultural event of the three States, a shared tradition of students’ song celebrations on the Baltic seacoast. The first Baltic students’ song and dance festival “Gaudeamus” was held in 1956 in Tartu, Estonia, then followed by festivals organised in turn in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Lithuania continues this meaning mission by hosting the 16th “Gaudeamus” celebration to be held in Vilnius from 24 to 26 June 2011 and looking forward to receive over 4500 singers, dancers, musicians and performers of other genres coming from all three Baltic States. 

The festival‘s events will be held in the Vilnius City Hall, in the old town, at churches, at the White Bridge and Kalnų Park.

2011 June    The world culture festival in Berlin

Folk dance ensemble „Sietuva“ together with Lithuanian student folk dance ensembles from country’s all Universities - about 300 dancers – will dance in the World Culture Festival in Berlin.

After celebrating the 16th Baltic students’ song and dance festival “Gaudeamus” in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on the eve, the students will present their joint dance composition “Lithuanian folk dance suite“ in the Olympic stadium in Berlin. Several folk dances from country’s several regions are united in one joint swirl and burst from students’ young hearts.

More information: http://www.worldculturefestival.org

2011 January    Krakow and Vilnius

Firstly, we would like to inform that at the end of 2010 our ensemble “Sietuva” has visited Krakow town in Poland where has participated in “Vilnius days”. Four couples of dancers from our Folk dance ensemble had performed in the main square of Krakow Old Town.

Secondly, according to the contest “Kadagys” results, which was held at the 14^th of November in Vilnius, our Folk dance ensemble “Sietuva” has the best folk instrumental orchestra! Moreover, our musicians got a special prize for the most expressive musical composition.

2010 October   "The road of freedom"

„Sietuva“ has its own personal brick in the recently opened “The Road of Freedom“ sculpture at Vilnius!

We are very happy that our ensemble had an opportunity to participate in the creation of this historical sculpture. We believe, that this brick of „Sietuva“ will be a symbol of everything what we together hold and dear.

2010 July   Festival in Italy

This summer Folk dance ensemble SIETUVA has participated in international SILE FOLK festival 2010 in Treviso, Italy. Group from Slovakia, Mexico, Switzerland, Italy, Holland and Lithuania have presented their culture for citizens and tourists of Treviso and surroundings.

We are proud that the organizers of the festival gave us opportunity to close the most important concert in this festival.  

In this trip we have visited such cities as: Venice, Burano, Jesolo, Verona, Wien.

2010 May   The Sweet Taste of Victory

On May 15 „Sietuva” has performed at the contest at Klaipėda „Klumpakojis 2010“.  We are excited that our ensemble won the first place!

25 dance groups from all Lithuania have attended at the event. The competition consisted of two parts and „Sietuva“ participated at the second part together with 16 competitors. However the jury decided that dances „Priegalvėlis“ and „Žemaičių galiopas“ were the best that evening, so we become the winners! For excellent performance and victory sincere thanks to all the dancers, musicians, supervisor V. Usovas and I. Česnienė. I. Česnienė gave advice and lessons how to make our dance “Priegalvėlis” perfect and helped us by participating in every rehearsal before the competition.

The first place requires further promoting folk dances, so on May 20 “Sietuva” will participate in the concert “Visi po viena saule” (All under One Sun), which will be held in Vilnius, the town square.

On June 24 “Sietuva“ is invited to participate at the „Joninės“ celebration in Naujoji Vilnia. „Sietuva“ will present a programme, which will be showed at the international festival in Italy on July.

2010 April   Upcoming Performances

 As every spring „Sietuva“ is actively rehearsing and preparing for many performances. April 29 together with other ensembles from Vilnius we will celebrate the international dance day and show a beautiful concert.  On May 4 „Sietuva“ will participate in the opening ceremony of Spartakiad of the construction and engineering colleges from Baltic countries. One of the most important concerts this year will take place at Klaipėda:  on May 15 there will be a contest „Klumpakojis 2010“.

„Sietuva“ has plans for summer too. We are invited to present Lithuanian culture and to show a programme of national dances at Italy on July.

We are glad, that this year „Sietuva“ was asked to participate at many international festivals which take place at different countries. On August some dancers from „Sietuva“ together with an ensemble „Vilniaus pynimėlis“  will perform at Azores Islands (Portugal).

Good luck and successful concerts for everyone!

2010 March   New video

We upload video section. You will find video from the latest performance now.

2010 March   Who’s Who in Dance

We where invited to update information about our Folk dance ensemble “Sietuva” to the CID global directory Who’s Who in Dance.

CID (Conseil International de la Danse) is the official umbrella organization for all forms of dance in all countries of the world. It is recognized by UNESCO, national and local governments, international organizations and institutions.

2010 February   Performances

On February 16 we had a performance in Vilnius to commemorate the day of restoration of Lithuania’s independence. On March 5 we will take part in the concert in Birstonas. And on March 11 our ensemble will perform at Vilnius Cathedral square.

2010 January   Classification

2009 October   A Good Start

 A new dance season has just started, but we had some performances already. On September 1 Sietuva greeted teachers and students at the collage. On September 3 we congratulated the principal of the collage, as she was celebrating an anniversary.  On September 19 we dance for "Travel channel".

We are happy, that this year a lot of  new members have joined Sietuva. They participate at rehearsals and soon will have their first performance.

This year we are planning to participate at the festival „Linksminkimos“, contests „Kadagys“ and „Klumpakojis“, visit Moldova.

2009 October    Our Motto: to Participate

The Millennium Song Celebration of Lithuania Songs of the Centuries has passed but it is still alive in our memories. However it is not the only thing to remember. Last summer was very busy for Sietuva. We are happy that there was no time to have a rest.

After the celebration in Lithuania Sietuva has gone to international festival in Bitburg, Germany. Every day we showed our program at the town squares while every night we participated at entertaining parties in the hotel. Youth from Poland, Slovakia, France, USA, Croatia, Czech Republic and Lithuania agreed that nights are suitable not only for sleep and rest, but also for meeting and having great time together.

2009 September   Greetings to Sietuva

"This year was the second year that I was able to enjoy the friendship of the members of Sietuva. After the visit to our festival in 2008 in the Netherlands, I have been twice to Lithuania to visit the members of Sietuva again. This year I was even able to join them on the trip to Bitburg in Germany. I would like to thank all the people of Sietuva for the interesting, but most of all fun time, I had both in Lithuania, in the bus and in Germany. Really thanks for a great time..."

Rob van Hofwegen

2009 June   In July

Busy time come to the ensemble, as preparation and rehearsals for the Millennium Song Celebration of Lithuania Songs of the Centuries start on July 1. The final performance Dance day In the Trails of Time will take place in the Žalgiris Stadium on July 5.

Straight after celebration on July 8 the ensemble goes to international festival at Germany, where we hope to meet participants from more than ten different countries. We are planning not only to show our program at the festival, but also to do some sightseeing and visit Berlin, Trier, Luxembourg and Prague. This trip will remarkably finish 2008/2009 dance season.

2009 June   New video

We update video section. You will find video of some dances in different time ('04, '05, '07, '08) and places (Vilnius/LT, Klaipeda/LT, Warffum/NL).

2009 April   Spring - Busy Time

Even when the sun shines brightly and calls to spend some time outside, the members of the ensemble are happy to attend rehearsals and improve dancing technique. After a beautiful anniversary concert of the art director Vladimiras Ūsovas and concertmaster Arvydas Baleniūnas, “Sietuva” started to prepare for Millennium Song Celebration of Lithuania Songs of the Centuries. On April 21 we entertained and showed Lithuanian traditions to participants of “International week” at college. After that on April 23 the ensemble introduced Lithuanian national dances to foreign students. A busy month was finished on April 29, when together with other national dance ensembles from Vilnius “Sietuva” celebrated international dance day.

2009 March  Partway of the Season

On February 16, “Sietuva“ together with other national dance ensembles from Vilnius participated in traditional concert to commemorate the day of restoration of Lithuanian statehood. Specially for this occasion we prepared new dances. However this is not the only important concert to “Sietuva”. On February 4, dancers performed at charity evening, all money what comes from the evening was for sanatorium school.

On February 22, the writer (who is a grandfather of one of “Sietuva” dancer) introduced a book and asked the ensemble to entertain guests. That evening was great and warm not only for the audience, but for the dancers too.  People were glad to see our dances and wished good luck.

“Sietuva” performs not only at Vilnius, but also at other towns of Lithuania, so on March 11 we were invited to Šalčininkai. The audience was amazed how many different costumes we have and how fast we can change them.

2009 January   Costumes

We are glad to inform, that ensemble have made new costumes.

2009 January    New plans for 2009

In 2009 ensemble „Sietuva“ prepare to participate in traditional concert to commemorate the day of restoration of Lithuanian statehood (February 16), in the beginning of march to celebrate 70th years of ensemble director, to prepare for millennium dance and song celebration in July and to visit International folklore festival In Germany.

We hope that all plans will realize successfully.

2008 August   Guest from Terneuzen (NL)

This summer we had a guest from Netherlands. It was a volunteer from "Folkart" festival - Rob, which for more then two weeks come to Lithuania. Specially for such occasion our group had organize a trip to Dzukija region (South east of Lithuanian). The region, which is famous for its forests, hills and mushrooms.

"Gruto park" (the park of Soviet sculptures), museum "The voice of forest", Druskininkai town, Liskiavos abbey, Merkine town, black ceramic workshop and finally sauna - it are the places which we had visit that time.

Moreover, we had show Vilnius, Trakai and Uzutrakis. We hope that it was nice aquitance with our country

2008 June  Folk festival in Netherlands

In May dance ensemble "Sietuva" had participate in folk festival "Folkart 2008". Together with groups from Slovenia, Belgium and others our group took part in different events ant concerts. For the ensemble it was the second introduction with Netherlands. In 2006 "Sietuva" had participate in International Folklore Festival "OpRoakeldais" in Warffum.

Ensemble would like to say Thank you for an invitation and for the opportunity to present our culture. The whole ensemble had a wonderful time in Netherlands. It was a really beautiful, warm and sunny feast of folk dances. We are grateful for hospitality. Especial thanks for all volunteers. Good luck.

2008 May   Trip to Riga

 In 23 of April Folk dance ensemble "Sietuva" went to the nearest foreign country - Latvia. The group had participate in Opening ceremony of Baltic countries Games among colleges of constructions and gave concert together with Latvian's ensembles.

We expect that this cooperation will continue and next year all ensembles meet in this event again.

2008 April   Performance in Klaipeda city

In 12 of April Folk dance ensemble "Sietuva" performed in Klaipeda city in anniversary concert of Song and Dance company "Zilvinas". An invitation to take part in this event were not accidental: recent director of ensemble "Sietuva" Vladimiras Usovas almost 20 years had been the director of ensemble "Zilvinas".

2008 February  New dance "Ausra"

The members of ensemble are glad every time then the repertoire are replenished by new dances. This time it is dance for 12 girls "Ausra" ("The dawn"). Choreographer - Alfredas Kondratavicius. This dance is creating especially for the our ensemble and the premiere is supposed 0n 16 of February.

It is stylized dance with difficult music and light effects applied for the beginning of the concert.

2008 February  Video clip

We are glad to inform what we have create a video clip of presentation of Folk dance ensemble "Sietuva". This clip you can find here:  VIDEO. Just have a look.

The  season of 2006/2007 was successful for ensemble: group participated in Lithuanian Song festival, International Folk festival in Germany, held more than 15 concerts. Reproduced the dance programme, stitched new costumes.

In the beginning of 2008 ensemble arrangement is as follow:

16 of February - Performance to Commemorate the Day of Restoration of Lithuanian Statehood (Vilnius, Lithuania)

22-25 of April - Trip to Riga (Latvia)

3-14 of May - Trip to Netherlands

2007 September   Trip to International Folklore Festival in Erfurt

After the rehearsals and performance in Lithuanian song festival (the biggest folklore  event in Lithuania) ensemble "Sietuva" went to Erfurt. Group had been invited to participate in International Folklore festival "Danetzare'07" (Erfurt, Germany).

  Groups from Hungary, Slovakia, FYR Macedonia, Serbia, Chine, Spain and Indonesia had present their culture on this festival. Almost all week the city of Martin Liuter were home for international meeting and it were really wonderful week.