This week, Lithuania’s largest city festival, Midsummer Vilnius, kicked off. Domas Dargis, head of the main event’s patron, EIKA Group, says that culture is the foundation of a thriving city, and therefore he is happy to have the opportunity to contribute to the capital’s art, music, and culture for the ninth consecutive year.
“We are extremely happy with our long-standing friendship with the organizers of Midsummer Vilnius. Creating an event that would become an integral part of Vilnius’ cultural life, that would be awaited by spectators all year round and that would attract people even from other countries is a very difficult mission, but the festival organizers made all of this a reality,” says D. Dargis.
“Vilnius is constantly growing and changing, but I believe that for a city to truly thrive and breathe life, buildings or infrastructure alone are not enough – ideas, feelings, culture and conscious people are needed. For me, culture is the foundation of a thriving city that inspires, unites and creates a meaningful life here and now,” adds the head of EIKA Group.
The festival, held in the Great Courtyard of the Vilnius Royal Palace, is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. Over the first nine years, the Midsummer Vilnius program has hosted as many as 73 events, which were watched by over 132 thousand spectators.
“We have come a long way in 10 years to make Midsummer Vilnius what it is today. During that time, the number of spectators has increased threefold, which is our greatest success, as it shows that the festival is relevant and necessary,” says festival founder Valdas Petreikis.
“It’s great that Midsummer Vilnius always has a wide repertoire, in which, I believe, everyone will find something interesting. Although Vilnius is a bit empty in the summer, it is still full of life and movement, and there are still hundreds of thousands of people who want the highest quality events,” says D. Dargis, revealing that he and his family intend to visit as many as five festival events this year.
“I am also very fascinated not only by the performances themselves, but also by the unique atmosphere created by the courtyard of the Royal Palace. As a representative of the real estate market, I greatly appreciate that invisible aura of buildings, that feeling that we ourselves try to create in the projects we develop. And what can we say about the excellent location of the Royal Palace!”, laughs D. Dargis.
“Midsummer Vilnius”, which started on July 14, this year presents 11 events over 12 days to the audience, and among the performances are such well-known names as Free Finga, Benjamin Clementine, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Fink, Jazzu, Andrius Mamontovas, Peteris Bence, the play “The Wedding” directed by Oskaras Koršunovas and others. The festival will run until July 25.