Following its debut at the Tampere Film Festival this spring, Lithuanian culture continues to take the spotlight in Tampere’s event scene. As a collaboration between the Lithuanian Culture Institute and local festivals, the Lithuanian Culture in Tampere program will showcase world-class contemporary dance, guitar music, children’s theatre, and photographic art throughout 2025.
The Tampere Dance Current Contemporary Dance Festival kicks off the series of Lithuanian cultural events on 21 May 2025. The celebration continues with the Tampere Guitar Festival in early June and concludes in August with the Tampere Theatre Festival and exhibitions at the Photographic Centre Nykyaika. The programme is organized in cooperation with the Lithuanian Culture Institute.
The Lithuanian Culture in Tampere 2025 event series is not only about showcasing our vibrant cultural scene, but also about opening a dialogue between our countries—and this dialogue will certainly extend beyond this year. We are introducing a generation of Lithuanian artists born and raised in an independent Lithuania, who have been able to work creatively without fear of censorship or the need to prove that their voices matter,” says Julija Reklaitė, Director of the Lithuanian Culture Institute.
Lithuanian Contemporary Dance with a Message
The Tampere Dance Current Contemporary Dance Festival features two performances from Lithuania: Hands up! by Agnietė Lisičkinaitė on 21 May, and Hairy by Dovydas Strimaitis on 22 May.
Lisičkinaitė drew inspiration for Hands up! from the pro-democracy protests in Belarus. Raised hands can signify political expression or represent violence or its threat. The first part of the performance invites the audience to join a city walk with Lisičkinaitė, each person carrying a protest sign of their own choosing. The second part takes place in a traditional theatre setting on the Hällä stage.
“Hairy is a choreography for three dancers and their hair. Hair is one of the few parts of the human body that one cannot move voluntarily and directly. Loose long hair has strong symbolic meaning in the Western society. It invokes freedom, romanticism, naturalness, and liberation from tradition or oppression,” explains choreographer Strimaitis.
The festival will also present dance films. Dance Plus City is a cycle of short dance video clips created in the impressive architectural objects of Lithuanian cities, dedicated to contemporary dance and its synergy with architecture and video art.
Internationally Acclaimed Guitar Artistry
Friday 6 June at the Tampere Guitar Festival is dedicated to Lithuanian guitar music and its internationally successful artists. The day begins with a release concert by the virtuosic guitar duo Rokas Jurkus and Lovro Peretić. Their debut album features arrangements of compositions by Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, one of Lithuania’s most celebrated artists.
The Baltic Guitar Quartet, which has performed in over 25 countries during more than two decades together, will play Lithuanian music arranged for guitar quartet, as well as works composed specifically for them.
The day closes with a performance by the globally touring Mindaugas Stumbras Quartet. Guitarist-composer Mindaugas Stumbras creates richly textured compositions influenced by both European and American jazz traditions, as well as Lithuanian folk music.
Dance Theatre for Babies and Children with Special Needs at Tampere Theatre Festival
Dansema Dance Theatre, a trailblazing Lithuanian company specializing in children’s dance theatre, will present World Without Eyes at the Tampere Theatre Festival. Directed by founder Birutė Banevičiūtė, the performance is designed for blind and visually impaired children.
Young audiences experience dance by sensing the performers’ movements and exploring the textures of the set and costumes through touch. The production also welcomes children with other special needs. The Saturday 9 August performance is tailored for special needs children aged 1–6, while the Sunday 10 August performance is designed for babies aged 6–18 months.
Contemporary Lithuanian Photography at Photographic Centre Nykyaika
On 9 August, the Photographic Centre Nykyaika opens exhibitions by two of Lithuania’s most exciting contemporary photographers: Tadas Kazakevičius and Ieva Maslinskaitė.
Kazakevičius brings his internationally acclaimed narrative series Soon to be Gone and Sakartvelo Diaries to Tampere. Ieva Maslinskaitė, an interdisciplinary explorer and experimental artist, pushes the boundaries of photography. In her work, photography becomes a living process shaped by bacteria and fungi.
More information on the Lithuanian culture programme in Tampere
Programme presented by the Lithuanian Culture Institute: Lithuanian Culture in Tampere 2025
News on the Embassy’s website: Summer brings Lithuanian art to Tampere Festivals
In co-operation:
- Lithuanian Culture Institute
- Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Finland
- Lithuanian Photographers Union
- The Lithuanian Film Centre
- The Lithuanian Short Film Agency – Lithuanian Shorts
- Lithuanian Dance Information Centre
- Tampere Region Festivals
- Tampere Film Festival
- Tampere Dance Current Contemporary Dance Festival
- Tampere Guitar Festival
- Tampere Theatre Festival
- Photographic Centre Nykyaika
