Lithuanian community and cultural initiatives engage local youth

In Lithuania, various cultural and community initiatives are engaging local youth. In the Jurbarkas district, the Lithuanian Samariečiai Association organized a large-scale summer camp titled ‘Judėk, kurk, atrask!’ (Move, Create, Discover!). The program hosted 192 children from ten different day centers, including those from families at social risk and children with special educational needs. The camp featured diverse activities such as robotics, chemistry, sports, and virtual reality, funded largely by European Union resources.

Meanwhile, in Kaunas, the 18th international children and youth folklore festival ‘Baltų raštai 2026’ is ongoing. The festival focuses on living traditions, including storytelling, kanklės music, traditional weaving, and folk costumes. Special emphasis is placed on the kanklės instrument to mark the Year of the Kanklės. Events include workshops in schools and collaborative musical performances between Lithuanian and Latvian kanklės players.