This oldest Lithuanian folklore festival is also called annual “indulgence” in the folklore. Participation in this festival is considered as honour by everybody who continues traditions of authentic (non-stylised) folklore.

The history of the festival – fight of people against denationalisation and getting back to the roots of their ethnic culture – started in 1973. Every year the best folklore groups of Lithuania and foreign guests participate in the festival.

Programme:

27th of May (Wednesday)
Institute of Lithuanian Literature and Folklore (Antakalnio str. 6) 17.00 Jubiliee of J. Balys 100th birth anniversary. Exhibition-conference of his works. Performers: Lithuanian academy of sciences folklore ensemble „Dijūta“ (leader – R. Žarskienė), Kupiškis folklore ensemble „Kupkėmis“ (leader – A. Pustovaitienė).

28th of May (Thursday)
Hall of Lithuanian theater, music and cinema museum (Vilniaus str. 41)
17.30 “Tir lir dūda”. Concert of traditional wind instruments music.
19.00 Concert of foreign groups. Performers: „Knapphändigt“ (Sweden), „Towersey Morris“ (Great Britain),  „Bawtuquinhas PBS – rythem and drums of Cape-Verde“ . 
20.00  Night dances.

Gothic hall of VAA (Maironio str. 6)                         
22.00 – Night music. “Ant kalno liepelė žydėjo”(Linden blew on the hill). Performer: Creative folklore group „Sedula“ (leader –  D.Steponavičienė).

29th of May (Friday)
Salon of the Teachers’ House (Vilniaus str. 39)
15.00 Workshop of traditional singing and making music. Presenting Lithuanian and foreign countries traditions (singing, dancing and/or playing).

Gothic hall of VAA (Maironio str. 6)
17.00 „Tu, berželi, žaliasai“ (You are the green birch). Evening of Gervėčiai folklore.
20.00 Night music. “Rymo rymo tūto”. Evening of duo phonic songs (“sutartinės”).
22.00 Evening of singing together Lithuanian folklore songs.

Yard of Lithuanian theatre, music and cinema museum (Vilniaus str. 41)
18.00 Concert of foreign groups. Performers – „Towersey Morris“ (Great Britain),  „Bawtuquinhas PBS – rythem and drums of Cape-Verde“ , „Knapphändigt“  (Sweden).
 20.00 Night dances.

Theatre hall in VU (Universiteto str. 3)
16.30 Concert of III National children and pupils – Lithuanian folk creation performers – competition TRAMTATULIS -2009 laureates.

30th of May (Saturday)
In the park of Sereikiškės
12.00 Job eulogizes the craftsman. Mart of folk art.
12.00 „Griežk,  muzikėla!“ (Play, music, play!) Participating traditional instrument groups.
14.30 „Vilniuj buvo žali bromai“ (There were green gates in Vilnius). Lithuanian folklore ensembles performing songs about Vilnius city.
17.00 “Kukuoja gegiute“ (Cuckoo sings). Performing Vilnius folklore ensemble „Nalšia“ (leader –  A. Vakarinienė).
18.00 Svetukai mano, rygailio! Concert of festival guests. 
20.00 “Šokim, trypkim, linksmi būkim!“ (Dance, stamp and be jolly!) Traditional dance evening.
               
St. Catherin church (Vilniaus str. 30)
20.00 “Vai tu, lakštingala“ (Oh you, Nightingale). Concert of folklore soloists, duos and terzettos.
22.00 Night music. Concert of Lithuanian folklore improvisations. Performers: V.Povilionienė, P.Vyšniauskas, G. Kovėra, T. Kaškurevič, R. Kamičaitis.

31st of May (Sunday)
St. Catherin church (Vilniaus str. 30)
14.00 An hour of traditional folk church songs. Theatre piece „Kražių skerdynės"(Slaughter in Kražiai) produced by „Little theatre of Kelmė”. Artistic director – Algimantas Armonas, scenography by Sofija Kanaverskytė. Performers – folk church singers from Kelmė. 
15.30 Traditional songs, dances and music in Vilnius Old town yards, squares, streets (the beginning of Pilies str., corner of Pilies and Šv. Jonų str., square of K. Sirvydas,  yards of Teachers house, Lithuanian theater, music and cinema museum, Technical library and Alumnatas  VU). 
18.00   Procession of Festival participants (starts in Vilniaus Tawn hall – ends in the park of Sereikiškės).

In the park of Sereikiškės
12.00 Job eulogizes the craftsman. Mart of folk art. 
12.00–17.00 Children’s folklore day “Saulytė” (“Little Sun”).
19.00 “Buvo dūda Vilniuj“ (There was a pipe in Vilnius). Final concert of International Folklore Festival “Skamba skamba kankliai”.