Today, May 17, the streets of Vilnius were filled with the sounds of music as the capital city hosted the 19th Street Music Day (SMD). This year's slogan - "General Rehearsal" - invited performers to reveal the creative process and allow listeners to experience the birth of music up close.
From noon to 22 p.m., various music genres were played in various parts of the city, from Užupis to Naujamiestis: rock, jazz, sung poetry, rap, and even Lithuanian sutartinės. The streets became a stage for both beginners and well-known performers, such as the band "Polarizouti stiklai".
The "Big Freestyle Jam Session" took place all day at Vingriai Square, where participants could join in on improvisations and take part in music workshops led by professional musicians.
In the evening, the celebration of the unity of nations "Valley of the Northern Lights" was held in the Bernardine Garden, designed to mark 20 years of cooperation with Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
The traditional Mood Sellers bagpipe procession set off from Aušra vartas towards Paupis at 18 p.m., and at 20 p.m. On the Cathedral Square The mass drum improvisation "Drum2gether" began, bringing together both musicians and spectators in a common rhythm.
After the official celebration ended, the music moved to Vilnius' night bus N1, where live performances took place from midnight, starting at the Iceland stop.
Street Music Day, which began in 2007 at the initiative of Andrius Mamontovas, has become an integral part of Vilnius' cultural life, annually bringing together thousands of music lovers and performers for a joint celebration under the open sky.
