CIOFF^®

International folklore festival “Skamba Skamba Kankliai”

International

"Skamba skamba kankliai" is the oldest folklore festival in Lithuania, which has been bustling in the Old Town of Vilnius on the last weekend of May every year since 1973.
It is one of the few authentic ethnomusic festivals in Europe, the influence of which is significant for the entire Lithuanian folklore movement. During the Soviet era, the movement of Lithuanian folklore ensembles was also one of the forms of resistance to Soviet ideology, without which the Singing Revolution would not have arisen.
During the 48 years of its existence, the festival has become an annual "feast" for fans of folklore from all over Lithuania and its quality delights listeners who can hear the most valuable folklore pieces and get to know the most unique traditions. The festival promotes the professionalism of ethnic culture and its presentation, public interest in traditional culture and supports intercultural cooperation and cultural tourism.
The best folklore ensembles of Lithuania and foreign nations appear in the festival program, a crafts fair is taking place. During the festival, more than 40 events take place: sutartines, children's, modern folklore, festival guest‘s concerts, concert of traditional chants, sing-along event, night dances, concerts in the courtyards of the Old Town, traditional music workshops, exhibitions, etc.