On September 10–12, Vilnius will host the inaugural city myth festival “Šventaragis”, inviting locals and visitors alike to rediscover the story of Vilnius’ origins and to remember the mythological Lithuanian duke Šventaragis. The festival will feature unique acoustic headphone concerts atop Gediminas Hill and an immersive sound and light show offering a time-traveling journey into visions of the city’s future.

Vilnius is a city whose story is often said to begin with the dream of Grand Duke Gediminas and the Iron Wolf. But before the dream, there was fire. And before Gediminas, there was Šventaragis – a sacred figure who chose the confluence of the Vilnia and Neris rivers as the site for cremation rituals. Centuries ago, the ritual flame burned where Cathedral Square now stands.

This forgotten origin is at the heart of the “Šventaragis” city myth festival. From September 10 to 12, the organizers invite fans of urban legends and music to return to the essence of Vilnius’ birth and hear it through concerts and performances with headphones. One of the festival’s creators, Marius Tumšys, creative director at Creators 76, shares that the inspiration came from a concert by Andrius Mamontovas held last year on Gediminas Hill. It revealed how a historic site could be reimagined through music.

“When we organized the first concert of its kind on Gediminas Hill, we naturally began to reflect on spaces and past events,” says Tumšys. “Vilnius residents know the story of Gediminas’ dream, but according to historical sources, he dreamed it in the Šventaragis Valley. Šventaragis lived before Gediminas and introduced the tradition of sacrifice, which makes this place sacred. Vilnius is rich in culture, yet Šventaragis is often forgotten. We want to return to the roots and give Šventaragis more space in our cultural life.”

Dr. Rūta Kačkutė, director of the National Museum of Lithuania – one of the festival’s partners – emphasizes that restoring historical spaces to active cultural life is central to the museum’s mission: “The National Museum of Lithuania is constantly seeking ways to integrate historical awareness into everyday life in a natural, engaging way. That’s why we are not only proud to be partners of this festival but are also actively contributing to the revival of the Šventaragis myth and the deeper story of this place. Through the artistic and historical narratives unfolding on Gediminas Hill and in the Šventaragis Valley, we will invite visitors to experience how myth and history intertwine, connecting us with the past and uniting us in the present,” says Kačkutė.

September 10: “Šventaragis” Festival Opening Concert

Three evenings – past, present, and future – will form one continuous narrative where the city’s legend comes to life through sound, silence, light, and dream.

The opening concert on September 10 will feature performances by Žalvarinis, Veronika Povilionienė, Kūlgrinda, Rasa Serra, and Marijonas Mikutavičius. “The concert will be unique not only in its acoustic quality, which creates an archaic atmosphere for listeners, but also in how it reveals a place of profound mystical and historical significance,” say members of Žalvarinis. “We are the carriers of ancient musical heritage, which takes new sonic form in the present. We’re preparing a special program and joining forces with other renowned performers who share our values of Lithuanian identity and patriotism. The audience will enjoy magical music of the highest quality and reconnect with deep ancestral roots in the land of Šventaragis Valley.”

September 11: Gabrielė Vilkickytė’s Headphone Concert “Wolf’s Dream”

On the second day of the festival, September 11, the inner wolf – symbol of Gabrielė Vilkickytė’s music – will awaken on Gediminas Hill. Her intimate headphone concert “Wolf’s Dream” will be, as she describes it, “a quiet, personal escape from the city noise, leaving only the essence.”

In her creative vision, the wolf represents the wild side of humanity – suppressed during the day, but returning at night with dreams, anxiety, and sleepless wakefulness. It is also a symbol of Vilnius, still guarding the city.

“I will sing live, directly into your ears – this has never happened before”

“Vilnius has always been special to me – I feel a deep connection with it, and through song, that bond grows stronger. This acoustic concert on Gediminas Hill is a long-held dream finally coming true. It’s the ideal place for my music – when only the essence remains, when the listener can truly hear what I and Vilnius want to say. We’ll escape the city’s noise. I will sing live, straight into your ears – this has never been done before,” says Vilkickytė. The concert will include songs from across her career, with special guests joining her on stage.

September 12: Light and Sound Show “VILNIUS 2723”

The festival’s grand finale on September 12 is the light and sound performance “VILNIUS 2723”, created by composer Maximilianas Oprishka-FUME, lighting designer Arvydas Buinauskas, and scenography studio “AB Light”. This sensory spectacle will close the “Šventaragis” program with a futuristic vision. The performance will blend city legends, scientific discovery, and a bold question: What will Vilnius be like in the year 2723? Here, the dream of Šventaragis becomes a foundation for imagining a future where the Iron Wolf’s echo merges with technological innovation and the dreams shaping tomorrow’s city.

“The venue and format are already quite unique – listening with headphones always brings the listener closer to the work. When this happens at night, on a hilltop, the experience becomes even more extraordinary. Gediminas Hill has never hosted light installations or immersive works on this scale. This will be a one-hour journey through 1,400 years of sound and light – a thought experiment that invites us to imagine the future history of Vilnius,” says composer Maximilianas Oprishka-FUME.

The festival is not only about music. It also includes a historians’ forum featuring insights from Dr. Rūta Kačkutė, Prof. Alfredas Bumblauskas, Prof. Vykintas Vaitkevičius, and Prof. Albinas Kuncevičius. Educational activities in collaboration with the National Museum of Lithuania and themed tours “Three Truths about Šventaragis” will also take place.

“This isn’t just an event. It’s an attempt to feel the city not with the mind, but with the blood. To unite two rivers – the historical and the spiritual – and let them flow through the present,” say the festival’s initiators.

The “Šventaragis” festival is organized by Creators 76, in partnership with the National Museum of Lithuania. Ticket numbers are limited and available HERE.