Tourists come to Palanga in the summer not only for its beach and its well-kept parks; the city also offers holidaymakers a rich cultural programme of musical events, many of which are long-standing traditions.
One of the oldest music traditions in Palanga is the series of concerts for wind instruments called ‘Orchestral Summer’, which is now in its second century. Every summer, Palanga Orchestra invites residents and guests of the city to a bandstand in Birutė Park, where its wind section plays both Classical and popular music. This year, Palanga Orchestra has prepared three concerts, each of which will be performed every week: ‘Cinema Music’, ‘Happy Afternoon’ and ‘Legendary 1980s’. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the summer, from 6.30pm, visitors are invited to listen to the strains of music in natural surroundings, relax, unwind, and be inspired. The concerts are free, and only the rain can interrupt them!
Another musical tradition in Palanga is the festival of popular sung music for children and youth called the ‘Fairy Tale Festival’. The theme of this year’s festival, which is now in its third decade, is ‘The Melodies of Our Grandparents’. Young performers will sing songs that used to be popular in the days of their grandparents. According to the organisers, this is a tribute to tradition, and an opportunity to strengthen mutual understanding, respect and connections between children, youth and old people. The ‘Fairy Tale Festival 2020’ will take place on 24 and 25 July in Jūratė and Kastytis Square.
Another symbol of Palanga’s summer cultural life is the Kurhaus. Since it opened in the second half of the 19th century, Palanga’s Kurhaus has been at the heart of the city’s cultural life. Therefore, it is natural and symbolic that today the historic Kurhaus Hall, which has been restored, is a space devoted to the professional performing arts. The most famous performers of Lithuanian and world classics appear here, including chamber, choral, jazz, folk, and even pop. This summer is no exception: Palanga Kurhaus invites visitors at weekends in July and August, offering world-class stars, and a variety of genres and styles.
The music festival ‘Voices of the World’ has been held in Palanga for many years. This year, the three-week-long professional arts festival (from 24 July to 13 September) will invite you to concerts in various spaces in Palanga: the Amber Museum, the Kurhaus, and the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The concerts will feature music from different countries. Like every year, the festival will be attended by young artists and art ensembles. The full programme of the ‘Voices of the World 2020’ festival can be found here.
And the newest, but certainly not the worst, emerging tradition in alternative culture in Palanga is the cultural meadow ‘I Love Palanga’. This is a public alternative cultural-social space, where artistic, creative, cultural and educational activities and events take place on a daily basis, and where an active and creative community gathers. The cultural meadow ‘I Love Palanga’ on Vytauto Street blossoms every year during the warm season, and is open to everyone. The events taking place there are free, and the full programme for this summer can be found here.
