The beginning of theatrical traditions in Rokiškis is 120 years ago. in 1893 In Panemunės district, in the village of Naujikai, the first secret Lithuanian play by Juozas Tumas-Vaižgantas "Nepadeus nér ko kasti" was performed. in 1959 The Rokiškis Theater was the first in Lithuania to receive the name of the People's Theater and continues to this day. For more than two decades, the international theater festival "Interrampa" and the "Nicodemus statuette ceremony" of the Theater Day celebration have been successfully held.
But the most important theatrical event is the festival of Lithuanian professional theaters PLAYING FOR FARMS, which is already in its fourth decade. Every year, it gives the residents of Rokiškis and the surrounding districts of the Aukštaitija region a unique opportunity to see the best productions of Lithuanian professional theaters without having to go to the big cities of Lithuania. It is the only theater festival in Lithuania that has existed without breaks for four decades, maintaining the traditions of providing prizes and supporting theaters. Due to its longevity and uniqueness, it has become a phenomenon of the cultural life of the whole of Lithuania.
The first festival of professional theaters "Vaidiname zemdirbiams" took place in March 1985 at the initiative of Vytautas Sketeris (11/20/1928 - 02/04/2005), the then chairman of the Rokiškis District Executive Committee.
At first, the participants of the festivals performed not only in the city of Rokiškis, but also in the villages. Since 1991, due to a change in the economic situation, the festival has been held only in the Rokiškis cultural center. There were also difficult times - halls not filled with spectators and cold, reduced opportunities for theaters to come, unfavorable political winds, etc. But all this was overcome by the sincere support of Lithuanian professional theaters, the loyalty of sponsors and the great enthusiasm of the organizers themselves. Since 2001, we can once again enjoy the large number of spectators who gather in the hall.
Every year, about 8,000 spectators not only from the city and district of Rokiškis, but also from Ignalina, Kupiškis, Zarasai, Biržai, Ukmergė, Vilnius, Kaunas, etc., see the best performances of all professional theaters in Lithuania, representing the theaters' creative pursuits. Up to 20 theaters participate in the festival every year, which show more than 20 performances of a diverse spectrum (a third of them are intended for children and young people).
Traditionally, the theaters appearing at the festival apply for established prizes: the main one - for the best performance, for the best performance for children (until 1992, this prize was called "for the best puppet performance"), for the best male and female roles, for the supporting role (1998-2005 was called "for an episodic role"), since 1986 for the most likable actor(s), since 2003 – for the most promising actor(s) and other special prizes (since 1990). 1985-1993 prizes were awarded for the best puppet actor. Since 1995, prizes have been replaced by bonuses.
In 1987, the Spectators' Prize was established, consisting of a cash prize and production produced by Rokiškės. It is determined by audience voting after the performances. 1992 and 1995 there was also a small audience prize.
These prizes are distributed by the commission of Rokiškės. Petras Blaževičius, the head of the Department of Culture, Tourism and Relations with Foreign Countries of the Rokiškis District Municipality, and lawyer Vytautas Sketeris, the son of the festival's founder, have been working on the jury for the longest time.
The festival of Lithuanian professional theaters PLAYING THE EARLS is the main and the most awaited event for the people of Rokiškės.
We sincerely thank everyone - those who participate, support, contribute, support, and wait!
