Anykščiai hosts 19th annual Purpurinis vakaras cultural festival

The 19th annual ‘Purpurinis vakaras’ (Purple Evening) cultural festival is currently taking place in Anykščiai, Lithuania. Originally established nearly two decades ago to honor the memory of Vytautas Kernagis, the event has evolved from a national bard festival into a broad multi-disciplinary cultural celebration.

The festival program, running from August 13 to 15, includes eleven events across various venues, many of which are free to the public. Highlights include music, poetry, cinema, and theater. The opening featured a tribute concert by the group Vitražai for Algirdas Svidinskas, a pioneer of Lithuanian bardic poetry.

Other scheduled activities include a documentary film screening titled ‘Gyvenimas po mirties’ (Life After Death), a photography exhibition by actor Juozas Budraitis, and a meeting with writer Alvydas Šlepikas. The festival concludes with major concerts in the Dainuvos Valley featuring various musical artists.