VILNIUS FESTIVAL 2023
27th festival
Musical odyssey
June 2–29, 2023

VF 2023 programme

The Vilnius Festival is one of the most prestigious, solid and versatile classical music events in Lithuania and a major summer destination for music-lovers during the hottest tourist season. With primary interest in presenting classical music, performed by the established soloists, ensembles and symphony orchestras from all over the world, the Vilnius Festival also continues to promote contemporary Lithuanian music by commissioning new large-scale works, and offers a platform for jazz and musical theatre.

Since the first Vilnius Festival in 1997 its primary idea has been to promote the historical and modern assets of world culture in society. Cooperation between Lithuanian and foreign musicians has fostered the creation of a multicultural music scene in Lithuania, as well as mutual tolerance and trust, and the discovery and support of new artistic forces. The organizers of Vilnius Festival seek to reflect the cultural experiences of different nations and eras in the festival program.

Date / number of events:

• Annually from the end of May to the beginning of July / 10-15 concerts
• Intended Audience
• Music fans and professionals of all ages, educational backgrounds and nationalities
• Significance of the event
• Vilnius Festival is an international music festival accredited by the European Festival
• Association’s General Assembly in Geneva. It was accepted as a legitimate member of the Association in October 1999.

Geographical Range

Thanks to its cooperation with well-known Lithuanian and foreign performers, its common projects with Lithuanian, Italian, Polish, German, French, Croatian, Slovenian and Swiss festivals, and its active involvement in programs of cultural tourism, Vilnius Festival has dispersed far and wide the liveliness of Lithuania’s culture, as well as the works of contemporary Lithuanian composers and a reputation for professionalism among its performers.

Bonds between the festival and Lithuania’s cultural image

The cooperation of Vilnius Festival organizers and performers with world-renowned musicians (Yehudi Menuhin, Mstislav Rostropovich, Justus Frantz, Riccardo Muti, Krzysztof Penderecki, David Geringas, Gidon Kremer) has accelerated the acceptance of not only Lithuania’s musical culture but also its political activities in the international realm. The support of these musicians for Lithuania’s intention to integrate to the EU was raised not only by artistic acts but also by official documents.

The active participation of Vilnius Festival in programs of Lithuanian cultural tourism and its close cooperation with diplomatic missions of foreign countries has generated high interest among foreign guests and tourists in both this event and Lithuanian cultural happenings in general.