Šiauliai Days 788: the city will be lit up with the lights of culture

In 2024 September 6-7 Šiauliai will shine brightly - the city's birthday celebration "Šiauliai Days 788" will take place. The birthday celebration of the city, whose roots go back to the historical Battle of the Sun, attracts thousands of Šiauliai residents and city guests every year. The organizers are intrigued that this year "Šiaulių dienos 788" will be surprised by the abundance of events: various city institutions will open their doors to visitors with exhibitions, chamber concerts, educational activities, invite them to participate in excursions, the festival of artistic vision "Magiškas parkas", which is moving to the city center this year, to rave in the evenings at pop concerts, listen to serious music in Resurrection Square, visit the festive market, amateur art festival "Autumn Mosaic", join the traditional festive procession and motorcade parade, as well as enjoy surprises and other events given by sponsors. It is hoped that this celebration, which combines the city's history and modern life, will become another proof that Šiauliai is a city that pulsates with the rhythm of culture.
Organizer - Šiauliai City Municipality, Šiauliai Culture Center.

The origins of the history of the city of Šiauliai go back to September 22, 1236 - the day when the legendary Battle of the Sun took place near present-day Šiauliai. This battle, in which the Žemaitsi defeated the army of the Order of the Swordsmen, is considered the beginning of the history not only of Lithuania, but also of the city of Šiauliai. Šiauliai, which emerged as an important commercial and cultural center, has since become an irreplaceable part of Lithuanian history.

The birthday celebration of the city of Šiauliai was held for the first time in 1986 to commemorate the 750th anniversary of the city's founding. The whole city got involved in the organization of Šiauliai Days that time: trading companies decorated shop windows, factories prepared historical compositions, and a fair was held. Over time, new highlights of the holiday appeared: from 2000 the essential tradition of the holiday was established - the announcement of an honorary citizen of the city of Šiauliai, the city's birthday was given a lot of charm by the festive processions, which were always changing and intriguing every year - a motorized convoy joined. Companies, bikers, collectors of old cars willingly participate in all of them.

Since 1986, the city's birthday celebration has been held every year - on the second weekend of September, the city of Šiauliai comes alive with bright colors. "Why don't we organize a celebration on the actual day of the birthday?" The answer lies in nature itself. At the end of September, when the sun tends to hide behind the clouds and the wind reminds us of the approaching cold, it becomes less pleasant to celebrate outdoors. Our holiday is a celebration of joy, warmth and fellowship, so we want to welcome it with bright days and warm hearts", says the director of the Šiauliai Cultural Center, Deimantė Bačiulė.

This year, for the 788th time, on September 6-7, residents of Šiauliai will remember their roots, honor the city's past, and together think about creating a bright future. The director of the Šiauliai Cultural Center, Deimantė Bačiulė, is convinced that not only our roots, history and traditions are important when organizing a city festival, but also what we do with this information for the growth of the city, which is often determined by changes.

The harmony of traditions and modernity is reflected not only in the planned events, but also in the image of Šiauliai Days 788. In the image created by Šiauliai Cultural Center designer Vilmantas Dambrauskas, the changes of which were inspired by the centenary Lithuanian Song Festival, the traditional city colors - yellow and black - are perfectly recognizable, and nine circles with ornaments symbolize the wisdom and connection with nature of our ancestors - the Balts. Each circle hides within itself a special sign - the sun, stars, wind, earth, fire and others that remind us of our origin and identity.

"Šiauliai is a city that is constantly changing and improving. The image of the celebration had to reflect this change and at the same time maintain a connection with the city's traditions. The Lithuanian and Baltic symbols of the sun, the universe, fire, and light were used to create the new image of the Šiauliai city birthday celebration. The thing that unites into the symbol of our city, the Sun", says Vilmantas Dambrauskas, a designer from Šiauliai, about the creation process.

The organizers reveal that there will be more interesting things for the people of Šiauliai and the guests of the city during the festival. The "Magical Park", which has already managed to become a cozy tradition, is changing its location this year. If in previous years miracles were created in Dainai Park, in the southern microdistrict of the city, this time the magic moves to the green Zubova Park, inviting you to discover new secrets of the city.

The organizers are intrigued that the residents of Šiauliai and the city's guests will be surprised by the abundance of "Šiaulių dienos 788" events on September 6-7: the boulevard will attract the curious to the commotion of festive shopping, various city institutions will open their doors to visitors with exhibitions, educational activities, excursions, invite them to have fun at stage concerts, listen to serious music in Resurrection Square, admire the amateur art festival "Rudens mozaika", immerse yourself in the artistic vision festival "Magiškas parkas", which is moving to the city center this year, join the traditional festive procession and motorized column parade, enjoy surprises and other events given by sponsors.

Please note that traffic will be restricted in the city. September 6 from 5:45 p.m. traffic is stopped on Žaliūkių st. from J. Jablonskios st. to Tilžė St., as well as from 19:00 to 20:30. traffic is stopped on Ragainė st. (from Kreivosios st.), Tilžės (from Ragainė st.) and Aušros al. (to the intersection with Žemaitė St.). From September 6 7 o'clock until September 7 24 hours traffic is closed on Varpo st. in the section between Aušra al. and Vilniaus st. From September 6 7 o'clock until September 8 24 hours traffic is closed to the parking lot at Pisikelilos a., September 7. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. the entrance to bus and car parking lots in front of Šiauliai State College is closed. Also on September 7. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. the entrance to the parking lot at the square near the Šiauliai City Municipality is closed.

The festival organizer Šiauliai Cultural Center and the organizer Šiauliai City Municipality would like to thank the patron of Šiauliai Days 788 UAB Nostrada, the general sponsor AB MV Group Production Gubernijas Gyakry, major sponsors: UAB Šiaulių Energija, UAB Bodesa, UAB SPLIUS ", UAB "Vilmers", UAB "Baltik vairas", UAB "Mano būstas", for sponsors: UAB "Aukstata", UAB "LTintus", UAB Maxima LT, UAB "Transalda", UAB "Apsaga", UAB "Rūta", UAB "AR10", UAB "Šiaulių vandenys", UAB "Giftika", to friends: UAB "RD Signs", UAB "Kensa", UAB "Vonin Lithuania", UAB "Toksika", UAB "Allianz Lietuva gyvybės draudimas", UAB " Diab", UAB "Nirlita", UAB "Plungės lagūna", UAB "Limega", UAB "Valumina", UAB "Elitus", UAB "Ronelda", gastrobar "Dramaturgas", main information sponsor for Lithuanian National Radio and Television and information sponsors: media group "Etaplius", the Lithuanian regional news portal "Miesto naujienos", the daily newspaper "Šiaulių krastas", the regional radio "Saulės radijas", UAB "LTAdvert".

The information is provided by Edita Smindriūnaitė, Deputy Head of the Event Organization Department of the Šiauliai Culture Center, mobile. +370 656 13 886, e-mail edita.smindriunaite@siauliukc.lt.

A. Lamauskas, E. Aleksandravičienė's, K. Songailė's, L. Simaitis, L. Beržinytės-Gulbinienė's, R. Leišė's, V. Ramanauskienė's, Ž. Bytautienė's photo