The last week of April traditionally invites Kaunas to explore Scandinavian culture more closely. Participants can expect a rich program of events: exhibitions, Norwegian language lessons, quizzes, lectures and discussions, excursions, and hikes. Music lovers will be delighted by a concert featuring Hilde Louise Asbjørnsen and the Kaunas Big Band, and the week will be capped off with a performance by a boys’ choir from Denmark.

APRIL 22 – MAY 6

Photo Exhibition of Kaunas City Partners in Scandinavia

The photo exhibition will introduce the residents of Kaunas to the city’s partners in Scandinavian countries: Tampere (Finland), Vaxjo and Linkoping (Sweden), Vestland (Norway), Odense (Denmark).

Organiser: Kaunas City Municipality and Partner Cities

Venue: Access of Kaunas City Municipality (Laisvės al.) 96)

APRIL 22

11:15 Public lecture by Prof. Dr. Sigutė Radzevičienė: Contemporary Swedish Literature: Origins and Trends

The lecture will invite discussion on the path of Swedish literature towards modernisation – from the classical traditions formed in the 20th century to the phenomena of postmodernism today. It will also seek answers to how and why the genres of historical, biographical, and detective novels, characterised by unique Scandinavian worldviews and aesthetics, have emerged and consolidated, and will review contemporary Swedish literature authors and their works.

Organiser: Department of Cultural Studies, Prof. Dr. Sigutė Radzevičienė

Venue: Room 104, Centre for Research and Studies, Vytautas Magnus University (V. Putvinskio g. 23)

APRIL 23

17:00 Scandinavian Quiz

Those interested in Scandinavia and its culture are invited to test their knowledge in a quiz. Registration is open to individuals and groups. Number of group members – 3-5 people. The best performers will be awarded prizes.

Registration: https://form.jotform.com/240932931966061

Organiser: Second-year students of Scandinavian Languages and Cultures at the Faculty of Humanities, Vytautas Magnus University

Venue: Room 414, Centre for Research and Studies, Vytautas Magnus University (V. Putvinskio g. 23)

18:00 Workshop: Understanding Nordic Walking

Free courses introducing the origins of walking, brief training, and route completion under the guidance of an instructor. All equipment will be provided by the organisers. The workshop can accommodate up to 30 people.

Registration: https://forms.gle/bi9WZ8bmmeL2sFoRA

Organiser: MB Idėjos Sportui

Venue: Santaka Park Stadium

APRIL 24

11:00. Presentation of Prof. Dr. Saulius Pivoras’ monograph Lithuania in Sweden’s Baltic Policy 1917–1991: from Recognition to Renewal in 2024

The book showcases Sweden’s efforts to support the Baltic States, revealing Lithuania’s vulnerability among the Baltic countries in both domestic and international politics during the interwar period, as well as Swedish motives in supporting Vilnius and Klaipėda cases. It explores the previously unknown influence of Sweden on Lithuanian-Polish relations and the untapped mediation opportunities by Sweden to normalise them in the 1940s.

After the presentation, the author will invite attendees to take a complimentary copy of the book.

Organiser: Department of Cultural Studies, Vytautas Magnus University, Saulius Pivoras

Venue: President Valdas Adamkus Library-Museum (S. Daukanto g. 25)

13:00 Education Forum: Prevention of Substances Affecting Mental Health in Schools: Valuable Experience from the Scandinavian Countries

Practical experience and success stories from abroad in combating psychoactive substances in schools: such as e-cigarettes, drugs and alcohol, are of particular relevance today. Therefore, on the occasion of Scandinavian Days, we invite representatives from the Nordic countries to share their experience.

The event will be held in a hybrid format, conducted in English with synchronous simultaneous into Lithuanian.

Detailed agenda and registration: https://bit.ly/49GPzYU 

Organiser: Kaunas Education Innovation Centre, Kaunas City Municipality

Venue: Kaunas Education Innovation Centre (Vytauto pr. 44)

14:00 Know the word – know the way to Norway

A Norwegian language lesson for learners of grades 8-10 of Kaunas general education schools. We invite teachers to register learners (up to 5 participants per class). The event will be conducted in English.

Registration: https://bit.ly/3JkYhBp 

Organiser: Kaunas Education Innovation Centre, Strand Municipality, Kaunas City Municipality

Venue: Kaunas Education Innovation Centre (Vytauto pr. 44)

14:45 What Norwegian Students Say About Their Country?

A lesson led by Norwegian students about Strand and Norway, covering the culture and history of these countries. It is open to learners of grades 8-10 of Kaunas general education schools. Teachers are invited to register participants (up to 5 learners per class). The event will be conducted in English.

Registration: https://bit.ly/3Q26f6g 

Organiser: Kaunas Education Innovation Centre, Strand Municipality, Kaunas City Municipality

Venue: Kaunas Education Innovation Centre (Vytauto pr. 44)

15:00 Interactive performance: Romeo and Juliet

An interactive performance staged by K:13 troupe from Norway, inviting the audience to experience a story of love and hatred up close. The actors create a lively and engaging visualisation of Shakespeare’s work in an unconventional space, without scenery or complex equipment, only with the body, voice, and a few objects. This performance is an opportunity not only to see, but also to participate personally in the story, experiencing every twist and turn of the plot.

Organiser: Norwegian Embassy in Vilnius

Venue: Kaunas Cultural Centre (Vytauto pr. 79)

APRIL 25

10:00 Lecture by Lars Wahlund, Ambassador of Sweden to Lithuania: Sweden in the Baltic Sea Region

Continuing the tradition of lectures, Swedish Ambassador Lars Vahlund will meet with VMU students during the Scandinavian Days event in Kaunas. The aim of the lecture is to talk about Sweden, connecting its history with contemporary geopolitical dynamics and security challenges that prompted Sweden to seek NATO membership.

The lecture will be conducted in English.

Organiser: Embassy of Sweden in Vilnius

Venue: VMU Multifunctional Science and Studies Centre, Room 313 (V. Putvinskio g. 23)

11:00 and 15:00. Interactive performance: The Boat That Went Both on Land and on Water

Using the well-known Norwegian folk tale about Askeladden and his good helpers, the creators of the play discuss social phenomena and issues that affect the daily lives of young people. The Norwegian theatre troupe K:13 invites the audience to engage in theatrical action, where they will have to perform various tasks while solving dilemmas of good and evil. The audience will find themselves inside the fairy tale, where they will not only face the audience at the king’s court, attempt to fulfil the princess’s wishes, but also embark on an adventure-filled journey to save the world.

Recommended age: from 8 years old.

Tickets: https://nerkas.lt/events/manau-gyvenimas-daug-paprastesnis-362/ 

Organiser: Kaunas Drama Theatre

Partners: Norwegian Embassy in Vilnius

Venue: Rehearsal Hall of Kaunas National Theatre (Laisvės al. 71)

14:00 Know the word – know the way to Norway

A Norwegian language lesson for learners of grades 8-10 of Kaunas general education schools. Teachers are invited to register participants (up to 5 learners per class). The event will be conducted in English.

Registration: https://bit.ly/4cXxysl 

Organiser: Kaunas Education Innovation Centre, Strand Municipality, Kaunas City Municipality

Venue: Kaunas Education Innovation Centre (Vytauto pr. 44)

14:45 What Norwegian Students Say About Their Country?

A lesson led by Norwegian students about Strand and Norway, covering the culture and history of these countries. The lesson is aimed at learners of grades 8-10 of Kaunas general education schools. Teachers are invited to register participants (up to 5 learners per class). The event will be conducted in English.

Registration: https://bit.ly/4d3sSB5 

Organiser: Kaunas Education Innovation Centre, Strand Municipality, Kaunas City Municipality

Venue: Kaunas Education Innovation Centre (Vytauto pr. 44)

15:30 Screening of the film Together 99

The film reveals an extraordinary narrative, weaving a charming thread of past and present journeys. Back in 1975, life in the commune, known as Together, was full of colours and adventures, but by 1999, this once-thriving community had greatly diminished – only two members remained: Goran and Klasse. Tillsammans 99 (Together) attempts not only to reflect on the past but also to prove that even after many years, true connections and sincere relationships between people remain strong and unchanged. Before the film, the Embassy of Sweden invites you to see an exhibition displayed in Romuva Hall about films made in Sweden.

More information: https://kcromuva.lt/filmai/skandinavijos-dienos-kaune-2024-kartu-99/

Tickets: Tickets can be collected at the box office before the start of the screening.

Organiser: Embassy of Sweden in Vilnius, Swedish Film Institute, Romuva Cinema Centre in Kaunas.

Venue: Kaunas Romuva Cinema Centre, Grand Hall (Laisvės al. 54)

APRIL 25-26

Conference: Response to Children and Youth Crime in the Nordic and Baltic Countries: How to Effectively Respond to High Risk?

The conference will discuss various forms of assistance for youth experimenting with psychoactive substances and experiencing learning and behavioural difficulties. Discussions with experts from the Nordic countries will cover the necessity of effective interventions to change policies on children’s and youth crime.

The conference will be held in English and will be simultaneously translated into Lithuanian.

Information, programme, and registration in Lithuanian: https://bit.ly/3U33cfb  in English:https://bit.ly/3w2b5cX

Organiser: Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania

Venue: Radisson Blu Kaunas (K. Donelaičio g. 27)

APRIL 26

11:00 Opening of the exhibition: Cities Comfortable for Living

The exhibition presents Denmark’s green initiatives and solutions that help businesses and government institutions withstand emerging challenges. The opening of the exhibition will be hosted by Ambassador Grete Sillasen of the Kingdom of Denmark, and Danish architect Steen Enrico Andersen will deliver a lecture on adapting cities for comfortable living.

The exhibition will be open until May 26.

Organiser: Embassy of the Kingdom of Denmark

Venue: President Valdas Adamkus Library-Museum (S. Daukanto str. 25)

10:00-17:00. Interactive theatre workshops for teachers and theatre professionals

Seminar discussions will cover various techniques and methods for creating a creative and interaction-based theatre performance, exploring the space of possibilities between storytelling, acting, and dramatic expression – where the traditional boundary between actor and audience is eliminated.

Participants will learn about techniques of interactive improvisation, storytelling, and acting, methods of composing a dramaturgical performance, and directing techniques.

Organiser: Kaunas Drama Theatre

Venue: Kaunas National Drama Theatre, Taverna Hall (Kęstučio g. 62)

18:00 Scandinavian Days: Open Nordic Walking Training in Ąžuolynas

Free courses introducing the origins of walking, brief training, and route completion under the guidance of an instructor. All equipment will be provided by the organisers.

The workshop can accommodate up to 30 people.

Registration: https://forms.gle/p81rjwXE2iGnzjTr7

Organiser: Ąžuolynas Library

Venue: The exact meeting point for the training will be indicated in the registration confirmation email, one week before the event.

APRIL 27

18:00 Hilde Louise Asbjørnsen and Kaunas Big Band Concert: Scandinavian Days in Kaunas 2024

Hilde Louise Asbjørnsen – a Norwegian jazz vocalist, songwriter, and actress basking in the rays of fame. Her voice and compositions can be heard in various settings, from duets to big bands. Over the years, Hilde has created a second family, whose members are Norwegian jazz musicians, especially in 2019 when she founded the Hilde Louise Orchestra. Five musicians perform in it, alongside Hilde Louise Asbjørnsen, and each song is a separate performance-story-history, for which Hilde creates a scenic image.

In the context of Scandinavian Days in Kaunas, Hilde Louise Asbjørnsen, together with Kaunas Big Band (conductor Tomas Botyrius), will present songs from her original album A Swing Of Its Own. Venue:

More information: www.kaunosantaka.lt

Tickets: https://bit.ly/3vV71uY 

Organiser: Concert Hall Kaunas Santaka, Kaunas City Municipality.

Venue: Kaunas Romuva Cinema Centre, Grand Hall (Laisvės al. 54)

APRIL 28

11:00 Excursion: Scandinavians in Kaunas

On this tour, you will see and hear about the Scandinavian footprints in Kaunas from different periods. You will learn about the activities of the famous Norwegian F. Nansen in interwar Kaunas, how the linguist A. R. Niemi sought relations between Lithuania and Finland, and other interesting historical facts!

The group can accommodate 25 people. The excursion is free of charge.

Follow the information on the Facebook page KAUNASTIKA

Organiser: Public Institution Kaunas IN

Venue: Details will be provided to registered participants.

APRIL 30

18:00 Concert with a choir from Denmark at the Kaunas Philharmonic Hall

The Embassy of Denmark in Lithuania presents the Copenhagen Royal Chapel Boys Choir, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024. In April 2024, the choir will tour the Baltic countries and perform an impressive programme, which includes an opus by a Lithuanian composer. Almost 50 young singers will perform together with soloists and organists. Professional singing training is part of their daily lives, and concerts with orchestras, conducted by recognised conductors, performances at the Royal Danish Palaces provide them with great motivation and meaning.

More information: https://bit.ly/4aFwAj0 

Tickets: https://bit.ly/49zr5AU 

Organiser: Kaunas Philharmonic and Embassy of the Kingdom of Denmark

Venue: Kaunas State Philharmonic (E. Ožeškienės g. 12)

UNTIL MAY 1

Children’s Drawing Contest-Exhibition: Pepe Long Legs

It’s a story about a colourful and independent girl who lives with her horse, monkey, and embarks on adventures together. More than 200 children attempted to depict this story in their drawings for the contest, and their works are presented in the contest-exhibition. You can see all of them virtually.

The goal of this contest-exhibition is to expand the knowledge of preschool children about the Scandinavian countries and to depict historical characters using artistic means.

Organiser: Kaunas City Municipality, Kaunas Education Innovation Centre,

Venue: Akropolis shopping and entertainment centre, 2nd floor bridge (Karaliaus Mindaugo pr. 49)

Information provided by the Public Relations department

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