650 km of freedom - that's how much is captured in a live chain of parents and grandparents holding hands. And what does freedom mean to us today?
The pursuit of freedom is no longer confined to the borders of one of our countries - 35 years ago, on the 50th anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, we showed the world how strong a common purpose binds together the three Baltic States. "The Baltic Way, not the Berlin Wall, has become a symbol of Europe's future," said US President Joe Biden.
The Baltic Way is the way of Freedom. Freedom to express, freedom to create, freedom to travel, freedom to be yourself... and responsibility for freedom. "650 KM OF FREEDOM" is a symbolic reference to the path we have already built and are growing with the younger generation, together supporting those who are fighting for their own Freedom.
Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra
Electronic music group "Happyendless"
Chamber Choir "Aidija"
State Choir "Latvia" (LV)
Folk-pop band "Tautumeitas" (LV)
Maarja Nuut (EE) and others.
The State Ensemble "Lietuva" and the National Philharmonic of Lithuania are organising a large-scale concert "650 KM OF FREEDOM" to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Baltic Way. 650 kilometres of freedom is a symbol of the lively chain of people holding hands that stretched from Vilnius through Riga to Tallinn on the memorable 23rd August 1989. It will be the main and free event of the Baltic Way anniversary, a civic action throughout the Baltic region.
In the vision of director Dalius Abaris, the creator of the 650 Kilometres of Freedom is descending into the historical past after 35 years, having been born with his hands on the living Baltic Way chain. That creator is the arranger and composer Jievaras Jasinskis. How do we feel our freedom today? Do we know how to handle it, do we protect it, are we willing to do anything for it? The composer seeks inspiration and rethinks all this by using contemporary means of expression - music, choral singing, visualisations, which will all come together during the concert on Cathedral Square, in the very heart of the capital. The culminating event "650 KM LAISVĖS" will be broadcast live by the information sponsor LRT.
The concert will feature the musical DNA of all the Baltic States, with an interweaving of academic, arranged folk, and electronic music genres. A common contemporary musical composition will bring together choirs, orchestras, dancers and performers from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, symbolising the unity of the three Baltic sisters. The state ensemble "Lithuania", the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, the electronic music group "Happyendless", the chamber choir "Aidija", the Latvian State Choir "Latvia", the Latvian folk-pop group "Tautumeitas", the Estonian artist Maarja Nuut and others will create an uplifting mood and perform joyful, festive music on one stage. This unique orchestra is conducted by renowned conductors Erki Pehk from Estonia and Martins Ozolinš from Latvia. The visualisations of the musical programme will be created by young artists from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
Music Director of the concert, Artistic Director of the LNSO, and Principal Musical Director of the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra. Modestas Pitrėnas
Latvian conductor - Martinš Ozolinš
Estonian conductor - Erki Pehk
Musical composer and arranger - Jievaras Jasinskis
Director - Dalius Abaris
SOUTH IS INVITED:
Organised by the State Ensemble "Lietuva" and the Lithuanian National Philharmonic
The patronage of the event is provided by Elektrum Lietuva. The project is partly financed by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania, the Chancellery of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and the Vilnius City Municipality
Information sponsor - LRT
