Music of Lithuania
Music of Lithuania refers to all forms of music associated with Lithuania, which has a long history of the folk, popular and classical musical development. Music was an important part of polytheistic, pre-Christian Lithuania – rituals were accompanied by music instruments and singing, deeds of the heroes and those who didn't return from the war were celebrated in songs. History. Music was very important part of ancient Lithuanian polytheistic belief. It is known that, at the start of the 2nd millennium, Baltic tribes had special funeral traditions in which the deeds of the dead were narrated  using recitation, and ritual songs about war campaigns, heroes and rulers also existed. First professional music was introduced to Lithuania with travelling monks in the 11th century. After the christianization of Lithuania in 1387, religious music started to spread, Gregorian chant was introduced. Travelling musicians arranged concerts in the manors and castles of the Lithuanian nobleman, local cappellas were founded. It is known, that Anna, Grand Duchess of Lithuania, wife of Vytautas the Great which had diplomatic relationships with the Teutonic Knights, who sent her expensive gifts, including clavichord and portative organ in 1408. Daughter of Grand Duke of Lithuania  Gediminas, Aldona, when married to Casimir III of Poland, 1325 took her palace orchestra to Cracow. It had musicians which played lute, zither and lyre. The first opera ("Dramma per musica") in Lithuania was staged in the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania in 1636. Marco Scacchi and Virgilio Puccitelli were the opera's impresarios. The appearance of the opera in Lithuania is quite early, especially considering the fact that Italian opera phenomena was formed at about 1600 and first opera staged in Paris was just before 1650. In the 17th century in Palace of the Grand Dukes of  Lithuania, three Italian operas were staged – all by palace composer Marco Scacchi, to librettos by Virgilio Puccitelli - "Il ratto d’Elena" ("The Elena Kidnapping") (1636), "L'Andromeda" ("Andromeda") (1644), "Circe Delusa" ("Disillusioned Circe") (1648). The scenography and stage machinery was made by Italian architects and engineers Agostino Locci, Bartolomeo Bolzoni and Giovanni Battista Gisleni. The cultural life of the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania was especially intense during the reign of Sigismund II Augustus. The Vilnius residence was a place to host many chamber concerts, music and dance festivities and carnivals, and music has become an integral part of the  public life of the Palace. Musicians from other countries, especially from Italy, were invited to Vilnius. Among the most notable was Hungarian composer and lutenist Bálint Bakfark, who came to Vilnius from Rome, Italian composer Diomedes Cato. Composer and lutenist Michelagnolo Galilei, brother of Galileo Galilei was playing in the court of Radvila in Vilnius in the 17th century. Approximately 100 musicians worked in Vilnius at the court of Mikalojus Radvila Juodasis, the Protestant Grand Chancellor of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Palatine of Vilnius (1515–1565). First printed Lithuanian book "Catechismusa Prasty Szadei" ("The Simple Words of Catechism ) in 1547 contained 11 religious hymns in Lithuanian with sheet music. Lithuanian jesuit Žygimantas Liauksminas (Sigismundus Lauxminus) published the first music handbook in Lithuania - Ars et praxis musica" in 1667. It was a first book of the trilogy, devoted to Gregorian chant - other books include "Graduale pro exercitatione studentium" and "Antifonale ad psalmos, iuxta ritum S. Romanae Ecclesiae, decantandos, necessarium". The books were published at the University of Vilnius - S.R.M. Academicis Societatis Jesu. Recent findings - "The Sapieha Album" ("Sapiegos albumas") and the "Diary of the Kražiai Organist" ("Kražių vargoninko dienoraštis") demonstrated that the big part of the Lithuanian church music  of the 17th century was directly influenced by the most prominent composers of Italy of that time - Girolamo Frescobaldi; Italian organ tablature notation prevailed, basso continuo was studied. Lithuania and its turbulent history was a subject of operas long before the appearance of the national opera in Lithuania. "Everardo II, re di Lituania" ("Everardo II, King of Lithuania"), music by João de Sousa Carvalho, libretto by Gaetano Martinelli was written in 1782 to celebrate the birth of Pedro III, King of Portugal. "I Lituani" ("The Lithuanians") - is an opera consisting by Amilcare Ponchielli to an Italian libretto by Antonio Ghislanzoni , based on the historical poem Konrad Wallenrod written by Adam Mickiewicz. It premiered at La Scala in Milan on 7 March 1874. One of the first professional Lithuanian musicians was Juozas Kalvaitis (1842-1900). He composed a four-voiced Mass in the Lithuanian language in Tilžė. In 1877, an oratorio The Creation by Joseph Haydn was translated to Lithuanian and performed in Vilnius. First national opera "Birutė" by composer Mikas Petrauskas (1873-1937), libretto - Gabrielius Landsbergis-Žemkalnis (1852-1916) was staged in 1906. Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis (1875-1911) is considered the greatest Lithuanian composer of his generation, and probably of  all time. Folk music. Lithuanian folk music belongs to Baltic music branch which is connected with neolithic corded ware culture. In Lithuanian territory meets two musical cultures: stringed (kanklių) and wind instrument cultures. These instrumental cultures probably formed vocal traditions. Lithuanian folk music is archaic, mostly used for ritual purposes, containing elements of paganism faith. Vocal music. There are three ancient styles of singing in Lithuania connected with ethnographical regions: monophony, multi-voiced homophony, heterophony and polyphony. Monophony mostly occurs in southern (Dzūkija), southwest (Suvalkija) and eastern (Aukštaitija) parts of Lithuania. Multi-voiced homophony, widespread in entire Lithuania, is the  most archaic in Samogitia. Traditional vocal music is held in high esteem on a world scale: Lithuanian song fests and sutartinės multipart songs are on the UNESCO's representative list of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Sutartinės (multipart songs). Sutartinės (from the word "sutarti"—to be in concordance, in agreement, singular "sutartinė") are highly unique examples of folk music. They are an ancient form of two and three voiced polyphony, based on the oldest principles of multivoiced vocal music: heterophony, parallelism, canon and free imitation. Most of the sutartinės' repertoire was recorded in the 19th and  20th centuries, but sources from the 16th century on show that they were significant along with monophonic songs. At present the sutartinės have almost become extinct as a genre among the population, but they are fostered by many Lithuanian folklore ensembles. The topics and functions of sutartinės encompass all major Lithuanian folk song genres. Melodies of sutartinės are not complex, containing two to five pitches. The melodies are symmetrical, consisting of two equal-length parts; rhythms are typically syncopated, and the distinctly articulated refrains give them a driving quality. Sutartinės can be classed into three groups according to performance practices  and function: Sutartinės are a localized phenomenon, found in the northeastern part of Lithuania. They were sung by women, but men performed instrumental versions on the kanklės (psaltery), on horns, and on the skudučiai (pan-pipes). The rich and thematically varied poetry of the sutartinės attests to their importance in the social fabric. Sutartinės were sung at festivals, gatherings, weddings, and while performing various chores. The poetic language while not being complex is very visual, expressive and sonorous. The rhythms are clear and accented. Dance sutartinės are humorous and spirited, despite the fact that the movements of the dance are  quite reserved and slow. One of the most important characteristics of the sutartinės is the wide variety of vocables used in the refrains ("sodauto, lylio, ratilio, tonarilio, dauno, kadujo, čiūto", etc.). Wedding songs. Different vocal and instrumental forms developed, such as lyrical, satirical, drinking and banqueting songs, musical dialogues, wedding laments, games, dances and marches. From an artistic standpoint the lyric songs are the most interesting. They reflect the entirety of the bride's life: her touching farewells to loved ones as she departs for the wedding ceremony or her husband's home, premonitions about the future, age-old questions  about relationships between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, and the innermost thoughts and emotions of the would-be bride. War-historical time songs. Chronicles and historical documents of the 13th through 16th centuries contain the first sources about songs relating the heroics of those fallen in battle against the Teutonic Knights. Later songs mention the Swedes, there are frequent references to Riga and Battle of Kircholm; songs collected in the early 19th century mention battles with the Tatars. Songs from uprisings and revolutions, as well as sonf of Lithuanian anti-Soviet guerrilla resistance in 1945-1952 and  songs of the deportees are also classified as wartime historical songs. Calendar cycle and ritual songs. They were sung at prescribed times of the year while performing the appropriate rituals. There are songs of Shrovetide and Lent, Easter swinging songs, and Easter songs called lalavimai. The Advent songs reflect the mood of staidness and reflection. Christmas songs contain vocables such as "kalėda, lėliu kalėda; oi kalėda kalėdzieka", while Advent songs contain vocables such as "leliumoj, aleliuma, aleliuma rūta, aleliuma loda" and others. There are several typical melodic characteristics associated with Christmas ritual songs, such as a narrow range, three-measure  phrases, dance rhythms, a controlled slow tempo, and a tonal structure based on phrygian, mixolydian or aeolian tetrachords. Polyphonic St. John's Feast songs are commonly called kupolinės, which include refrains and vocables such as "kupolėle kupolio, kupolio kupolėlio, or kupole rože". Work songs. Work songs vary greatly in function and age. There are some very old examples, which have retained their direct relation with the rhythm and process of the work to be done. Later work songs sing more of a person's feelings, experiences and aspirations. The older work songs more accurately relate the various stages of the  work to be done. They are categorized according to their purpose on the farm, in the home, and so on. Instrumental music. The "rateliai" ("round dances") have long been a very important part of Lithuanian folk culture, traditionally performed without instrumental accompaniment. Since the 19th century, however, fiddle, "basetle", "lamzdeliai" and kanklės came to accompany the dances, while modern groups also incorporate bandoneon, accordion, concertina, mandolin, clarinet, cornet, guitar and harmonica. During the Soviet occupation, dance ensembles used box kanklės and a modified clarinet called the "birbynės"; although the ensembles were ostensibly folk-based, they were modernized and sanitized and  used harmonized and denatured forms of traditional styles. The most important Lithuanian popular folk music ensembles included "Skriaudžių kanklės", formed in 1906, and "Lietuva". Such ensembles were based on traditional music, but were modernized to be palatable to the masses; the early 20th century also saw the spread of traditional musical plays like "The Kupiškėnai Wedding". Some of the most prominent modern village ensembles: Marcinkonys (Varėna dst.), Žiūrai (Varėna dst.), Kalviai-Lieponys (Trakai dst.), Luokė (Telšiai dst.), "Linkava" (Linkuva, Pakruojis dst.), "Šeduviai" (Šeduva, Radviliškis dst.), Užušiliai (Biržai dst.), Lazdiniai-Adutiškis (Švenčionys dst.). Some of the most prominent town folklore groups : "Ratilio", "Ūla", "Jievaras", "Poringė" (Vilnius), "Kupolė" (Kaunas), "Verpeta" (Kaišiadorys), "Mėguva" (Palanga), "Insula" (Telšiai), "Gastauta" (Rokiškis), "Kupkiemis" (Kupiškis), "Levindra" (Utena), "Sūduviai" (Vilkaviškis). Children folk groups: "Čiučiuruks" (Telšiai), "Kukutis" (Molėtai), "Čirulis" (Rokiškis), "Antazavė" (Zarasai dst.). Classical music. Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis ( in Varėna— in Pustelnik near Warsaw) was a Lithuanian painter and composer. During his short life he created about 200 pieces of music. His works have had profound influence on modern Lithuanian culture. Čiurlionis studied piano and composition at the Warsaw Conservatory (1894–1899). Later he attended composition lectures at the Leipzig Conservatory (1901–1902). His symphonic poems "In the Forest" ("Miške") and "The  Sea" ("Jūra") were performed only posthumously. "The Čiurlionis String Quartet" performs in Lithuania and abroad. Every several years junior performers from Lithuania and neighbouring countries take part in "The Čiurlionis Competition". Modern classical composers emerged in seventies - Bronius Kutavičius, Feliksas Bajoras, Osvaldas Balakauskas, Onutė Narbutaitė, Vidmantas Bartulis and others. Most of those composers explored archaic Lithuanian music and its harmonic combination with modern minimalism and neoromanticism. Osvaldas Balakauskas (born 1937, Miliūnai) Graduated from the Vilnius Pedagogical Institute in 1961, attended Boris Lyatoshinsky's composition class at Kiev Conservatory in 1969. From 1992 to 1994 Balakauskas was ambassador of Lithuania and  in 1996 he was awarded with the Lithuanian National Award, the highest artistic and cultural distinction in Lithuania. He is currently head of the Composition Department of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. His output consists of symphonies, concertos, chamber and instrumental music. Conductor and music director of City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla is known for her flamboyance and steely poise. She is also in top 5 of woman conductors. The New Ideas Chamber Orchestra NICO and Synaesthesis playing new academic music. In 1996 Music Information Centre Lithuania (MICL) was founded. It collects, promotes and shares  information on Lithuanian musical culture. Opera. Although the first opera in Lithuania was staged just 30 years later after it appeared in Italy, the musical and cultural development was constantly interrupted with historical turmoils. The Russian invasion in 1655 was especially grueling - many manors were destroyed, Vilnius was looted and demolished. The war with Sweden was started as well. The period was called "Tvanas" (The Deluge). Eventually it led to a partition of Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. In 1785 in Vilnius was the first city theatre created, which hosted operas as well. Musical life continued in the saloons of the aristocrats  and nobleman. The house of singer Kristina Gerhardi-Frank and physician Joseph Frank was especially well known in Vilnius. Development of national Lithuanian opera is related with national revival in the 20th century. Themes of the operas were taken from the national history or mythology. Lithuanian language was considered as language of singing. First Lithuanian national opera "Birutė" by composer Mikas Petrauskas was staged in 1906 in Vilnius City Concert Hall. After regaining the Independence of Lithuania in 1918 opera "Gražina" (1933) by composer Jurgis Karnavičius (1884 - 1941) was the first staged in a new Kaunas State Musical Theatre. It  was followed in 1937 by the next opera of J.Karnavičius "Radvila Perkūnas". In Boston in 1924 Lithuanian emigrants music lovers staged opera by M.Petrauskas "Eglė žalčių karalienė" ("Eglė the Queen of Serpents"). Vytautas Klova (1926 - 2006) created mostly national operas - ("Pilėnai" 1955, "Vaiva" 1957, "Duktė" ("The Daughter") 1960, "Du kalavijai" ("Two Swords") 1965, "Amerikietiškoji tragedija" ("An American Tragedy"), 1968, "Ave vita", 1974). Operas based on historical thematic were created by Julius Juzeliūnas (1916 - 2001) ("Sukilėliai" ("The Rebels") 1957, banned by soviet censorship, staged only in 1977), B. Dvarionas ("Dalia", 1958). Bronius Kutavičius wrote operas "Kaulo senis ant geležinio kalno" ("The  Old Man of Bone on the Iron Hill", 1976), "Strazdas – žalias paukštis" ("Thrush, the Green Bird", 1981), "Lokys" ("The Bear", 2000), "Ignes et fides" ("Fire and Faith", 2003), combining opera, ballet and oratorio. Most notable Lithuanian opera singers: Kipras Petrauskas (1885 - 1968), Virgilijus Noreika (1935 - 2018), Vaclovas Daunoras (b. 1937), Irena Milkevičiūtė (b. 1947), Violeta Urmana (b. 1961). Other singers performing on international scenes are: Aušrinė Stundytė, Asmik Grigorian, Vaidas Vyšniauskas (Kristian Benedikt), Edgaras Montvidas, Justina Gringytė, Indre Viskontas. Liudas Truikys (1904 - 1987) was a renowned scenic designer. Prominent theatre director Eimuntas Nekrošius has staged several operas in Lithuania (Otello ) and Italy (Macbeth). Fashion designer Juozas Statkevičius (b. 1968) created costumes for numerous operas. The diversity of the modern national opera is represented by: "Lokys" ("The Bear", 2000), "Geros dienos" ("Have a Godd Day!", 2011), "Cornet" (2014), "Post Futurum" (2018), "Prūsai" (The Prussians, 2018). Modern opera "Sun & Sea (Marina)" (2019) was presented at Venice Biennale, Lithuanian pavilion and was awarded The Golden Lion for best national participation. Currently operas are staged in Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre, Vilnius City Opera, Kaunas State Musical Theatre, Klaipėda State Musical Theatre and by company "Operomanija" and by Lithuanian Opera Company of Chicago . Opera is a highly popular genre in Lithuania, collecting full halls. The annual NOA (New Opera Action) - contemporary alternative opera and multidisciplinary art festival is being organized in Vilnius. Musicals. In 1971, despite being behind the Iron Curtain in Soviet occupied Lithuania Kęstutis Antanėlis has staged a rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar - just one year after its album release. In 1973 composer Viačeslavas Ganelinas and a poet Sigitas Geda created a film musical "Velnio nuotaka" ("Devil's bride"). It is considered the first Lithuanian musical. In 1974 a musical "Ugnies medžioklė su varovais" ("Fire Hunt and Beaters") (composer - Giedrius Kuprevičius , libretto - Saulius Šaltenis, Liudas Jacinevičius) was staged. Choral music. In Lithuania choral music is very important. Only in Vilnius city there are three choirs laureates at the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing. Vytautas Miškinis (born 1954) is a composer and choir director who is very popular in Lithuania and abroad. He has written over 400 secular and about 150 religious works. Rock music. The Communist government of the Lithuanian SSR criticized rock music, which was considered a decadent and corrupting cultural invasion from the West. The first local rock bands started to emerge around 1965 and included "Kertukai", "Aitvarai  and Nuogi ant slenksčio" ("Naked On A Threshold") in Kaunas, and Kęstutis Antanėlis, "Vienuoliai" ("The Monks"), and "Gėlių Vaikai" ("Flower Childs") in Vilnius, among others. Radio Luxembourg was the most important source of information about the music on other side of the Iron Curtain. It was very common for Lithuanian hippies or band players to listen to this radio. Radio Luxemburg bears strong associations in Lithuania with the "Romas Kalanta generation" ("Kalantos karta"). Another means was to smuggle LPs of popular Western bands into Lithuania and copy them onto magnetic tape. The records then spread further by making recordings to  the friends, classmates. Unable to express their opinions directly, the Lithuanian artists began organizing patriotic Roko Maršai and were using metaphors in their songs' lyrics, which were easily identified for their true meanings by the locals. Postmodernist rock band Antis and its vocalist Algirdas Kaušpėdas were one of the most active performers who mocked the Soviet regime by using metaphors. For example, in the song "Zombiai" (Zombies), the band indirectly sang about the Red Army soldiers who occupied the state and its military base in Ukmergė. Vytautas Kernagis' song "Kolorado vabalai" (Colorado beetles) was also a favorite due to its  lyrics in which true meaning of the Colorado beetles was intended to be the Soviets decorated with the Ribbons of Saint George. In the early independence years, rock band Foje was particularly popular and gathered tens of thousands of spectators to the concerts. After disbanding in 1997, Foje vocalist Andrius Mamontovas remained one of the most prominent Lithuanian performers and an active participant in various charity events. Marijonas Mikutavičius is famous for creating unofficial Lithuania sport anthem "Trys milijonai" (Three million) and official anthem of the EuroBasket 2011 "Nebetyli sirgaliai" (English version was named "Celebrate Basketball"). In the 1980s, rock  bands Foje, Antis, and Bix made a big impact in Lithuania. Short-lived alternative rock group "Šiaurės kryptis" ("The Northern Direction", 1986 - 1995) issued only one album "Netiekto", but still considered one of the best groups of that time. In 1987, 1988 and 1989 Lithuania saw several big rock festivals, such as Roko Maršas (Rock March). Roko Maršas was connected to the ideology of Sąjūdis and independence movement of Lithuania. Punk rock. 1986–1987 marked the appearance of the punk scene in Lithuania. Bands like "Už Tėvynę" ("For the Fatherland"), "Genocidas Raudonajam Interventui" ("A Genocide for The Red Intervents"), "SKAT", and  Erkė maiše were leaning towards the classic punk rock of the 1970s, while others like "33% kiaulių pakeliui į Vatikaną" and "Turboreanimacija" were more inclined towards hardcore punk (HC) stylistics. "Turboreanimacija" can be regarded as the most influential hardcore punk band of Lithuania, which in its time was well received by fanzines such as "Maximumrocknroll" in the United States. Their first up-tempo albums reminded listeners of early records from Scottish hardcore punk legends "The Exploited", while later "Turboreanimacija" embarked on the power-punk road. "Turboreanimacija" disbanded in 1997 after granting a cult status among the Lithuanian underground. Post-punk  group "Kardiofonas" (1986-1989) was highly popular with its hit "Kalėdinė eglutė" ("Christmas tree"). More recent acts of this genre are ska-punk band "Dr.Green" (who are famous for their numerous DIY activities and intensive touring through the punk scenes of Europe), street-punkers "Toro Bravo" and hardcorists "Bora" and "Mountainside". Pop music. Origins of Lithuanian pop music are in music of the cafes and restaurants of temporary capital of Lithuania - Kaunas in the 1930s. It was called "estradinė muzika" (estrade-music), "lengvoji muzika" (light music) and the phenomena sometimes named as "mažoji scena" (the little stage). Pop music  bands "Kopų balsai" "(Sounds of the dunes)" (in the beginning influenced by Juozas Tiškus orchestra), created in 1957 and band "Nerija", which started activity in 1970 became very popular in Lithuania. From the 2000s on, one of the most popular band in Lithuania is SKAMP. Although some pop groups sing in English, pop music in Lithuanian language is very popular. Electronic / Experimental / DJ. The group "Saulės laikrodis" created in 1976, "Argo" - in 1979, and "D.A.17" created in 1986, considered the pioneers of electronic music in Lithuania. Classical composer Teisutis Makačinas issued his album "Disko muzika" ("Disko music") in 1982 playfully  using Moog synthesizer. Sound director of "Argo", Orūnas Urbonas constructed sound synthesizers "(quasi-moog)" for the group needs. In 2002-2010 "" ("Milky lasers"), produced by De-Phazz leader Pit Baumgartner, played in nu jazz style. Since 2004 "RyRalio Djs" became famous for quality house music. Jazz music. Jazz was quite often mentioned in the press of Lithuania before the WWII. Back in Lithuania's first period of independence (1918-1940), the country was part of swinging Europe. Nearly every Lithuanian town had its own jazz band, and traditional jazz repertoire was performed by prestigious orchestras under the leadership of Mykolas  Hofmekleris (violinist), Abraomas Stupelis (violinist), Danielius Pomerancas (violinist). Jazz was played in the modern cafés and restaurants of "interbellum" Kaunas - "Konradas", "Monika", "Aldona", "Versalis", "Metropolis". In 1935 in the cinema "Metropolitain", first concert of jazz orchestra took place. The jazz orchestra was assembled from leading musicians of Kaunas, most likely the basis was a band which played in the "Konradas" café in the Laisvės Alley. In 1940 in Kaunas Radio ("Kauno radiofonas") was the first official jazz orchestra launched and led by Abraomas Stupelis. He is considered the pioneer of the Lithuanian big band. Mykolas Hofmekleris in 1932 was decorated  with the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas for his activity in the field of music. Soviet occupation destroyed much of the vibrant cultural life, cafes were closed, jazz was considered as an ideologically and politically charged music of the West. Jazz scene was active even during the years of Soviet occupation. First sign of revival was an orchestra of Kaunas Polytechnic Institute led by Juozas Tiškus. Juozas Tiškus formed a professional swing orchestra of 28 members. Juozas Tiškus is also considered one of the instigators of popular Lithuanian music. The real breakthrough would occur in 1970–71 with the  coming together of the Ganelin/Tarasov/Chekasin trio, the alleged instigators of the Vilnius Jazz School. The trio, known also as "Ganelin Trio" or "GTCh" combined free jazz with elements of Lithuanian folk and classic music. Café "Neringa" in Vilnius and café "Tulpė" (former "Konradas") in Kaunas became places for jazz lovers and players. Almost anything can be found on the jazz scene in Lithuania today, from Dixieland and a cappella groups, to all kinds of jazz fusion, nu-jazz and jazzcore. There are quite a few international jazz festivals in Lithuania: Jazz bands and performers: Music festivals and events . 1924 saw the first "Dainų šventė" (The Lithuanian Song Festival), song festivals which were state-supported and helped to keep folk traditions alive; these were held every five years (every four since 1990). Similar festivals take place in Estonia and Latvia since the 1870s. The 1960s saw people rebelling against Soviet-controlled traditions, and led a roots revival that soon led to celebrations of Lithuanian identity in festivals and celebrations. Lithuania is home to many folk music festivals. The "Dainų šventė" song festival is perhaps the most famous; it was first held in 1924, and has continued every five years  since. Other major folk festivals include the "Skamba skamba kankliai" and the "Atataria trimitai", both held annually; of historical importance is the "Ant marių krantelio", which was held in the 1980s and was the first major festival of its kind. The Baltica International Folklore Festival is held in one of the Baltic states every year. The GAIDA Festival, organised in Vilnius since 1991 is the largest and the most prominent festival of modern music in Lithuania and in all Baltic countries.