The international street theater festival "ŠERMUKŠNIS" is held every two years during the summer in Klaipėda. in 1985 which began as a celebration of chamber performances, "Shermukšnis" grew into a prestigious event not only of the city, but also of the entire country. The festival takes place in non-traditional spaces. During it, not only performances are presented, but also various actions, carnival marches, improvisations "here and now" or simply colorful action with theatrical spices. Visitors can enjoy a variety of theater performances, improvisations or even carnival fever. Sometimes the festival turns into a crazy fantasy with theatrical elements.Theater festival "Šermukšnis" presents contemporary European and world theater, aims to highlight the values of interaction between various cultural institutions and cultures. The festival does not aim to stick to one generation of creators and genre dictates. In "Šermukšny" we present theaters from various countries and regions, searching, unique, unlike anything else. As much as possible, we try to introduce Klaipėda residents to theaters that manage to cross the boundaries of gray everyday life, to understand the secrets of death, resurrection and joy of life, and we want to show foreign guests the brightest works of our theater artists.The theater festival "Šermukšnis" was created in order to overcome the city's theatrical isolation. The main provisions of the festival have not changed even today. Resistance to closedness, experimentation, cultural interactions, sensitivity to change - all these are the aspirations of the festival.Although the main theme of the festival is theater, plays and performances occupy only a small part of the program. "Šermukšni" is full of musical, circus performances and attractions. The performances are really worth paying attention to, reflecting the atmosphere of the street, they never cease to amaze and fascinate. The essence of the "Šermukšnis" festival is not to watch individual performances, but to observe and admire the whole of the performances, to absorb all the sounds of the music. The true spirit of the festival is revealed in the colors, sounds and phantasmagoria filling Klaipėda's old town. There is no doubt that the international street theater festival "Shermukšnis" is a true mystic in the open space.Over the years, the festival has surpassed the requirements of a simple festival and has become a wonderful celebration of the port city. Artists, musicians, singers, circus and other artists from more than twenty countries appeared here.1985 -2001 performances were held in Klaipėda city theaters, and since 2001 the festival has moved to the streets. in 2011 and in 2013 the festival took place in the square near the sailing ship "Meridianas", in 2015. – in Klaipėda Castle, 2017 and 2019. - In the Theater Square and Klaipėda Castle.In 2021, "Šermukšnis" will be held in new spaces under the open sky. The performances took place on the island of John's hill of the reconstructed Bastioni complex, in the square near the "Kultūros fabrik" and in the courtyard of the Klaipėda Puppet Theater.