Page 356 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

354 TRA VELLERS ’ NEEDS

Entertainment in Vilnius St Casimir (see p236). On week-
days during term time, students
The range of entertainment on offer in Vilnius has changed and professors at the Lithuanian
rapidly in recent years. Trendy clubs and lounge bars have Academy of Music often give
sprung up, but, at the same time, there has been a resurgence free-of-charge recitals at
of traditional folk singing and dancing. Sutartinės, music with different venues in the city.
The standard of opera and
rural roots, helped sustain national identity through the ballet is generally high in Vilnius,
periods of occu pation and today it has made a comeback in although the repertoire is fairly
folk-themed restaurants. Classical music was promoted conser vative. In addition to
during the Soviet period, but it was also significant in the classical performances, the
20th-century national revivals. Classical music, opera and innovative choreography of the
Anželika Cholina Dance Theatre
ballet performances in Vilnius are excellent. Live music is attracts big audiences and is very
played in several key venues frequented by a small but popular among locals and
enthusiastic and faithful crowd. Tourist infor mation points visitors. The famous National
provide news on most cultural events. Opera & Ballet Theatre is funded
by Lithuania’s Ministry of Culture.
Tickets for its performances often
sell out quickly and it is advisable
to visit the ticket office to check
on availability.

Folk Music
Lithuania’s folk music can be
heard in folk-themed restau-
rants, which are as popular with
locals as they are with visitors.
For an authentic experience,
A scene from the play Three Sisters at the State Small Theatre of Vilnius enjoy the music with a tradi-
tional meal of meat-and-
Information
provide pre-recorded English potatoes and Lithuanian beer
Vilnius In Your Pocket, which translations for some perform- at venues such as the rustic
covers the whole spectrum of ances, which can be heard Fort Dvaras (see p326) or the
restaurants, entertainment and using headphones. atmospheric Marceliukės Klėtis.
shopping, as well as upcoming Folk festivals are often played
events, is available at numerous out in the courtyards and halls
shops and kiosks and most of Classical Music, Opera of Vilnius University (see pp224–
the city’s hotels. Brochures and and Ballet 5), or in more low-key spots
leaflets about cultural events can Vilnius has a good classical music such as the Teachers’ House.
be found at the capital’s tourist scene. Both the opulent National
informa tion centres. Posters are Philharmonic and the contemp-
another source of information. orary Congress Palace hold Rock, Blues and Pop
Tickets for concerts, opera, superb concerts. Chamber music Several outstanding Lithuanian
ballet and plays can be pur- concerts are often held at rock and pop performers play
chased at the appropriate the atmospheric Church of regularly at atmospheric venues
venue or booking kiosks. Tickets St Catherine (see p241) and, such as Tamsta Club, Brodvėjus
for all major events in Lithuania occasion ally, at the Church of and the Forum Palace. Names
can be bought online from
Bilietai LT.

Theatre
The residents of Vilnius have a
passion for theatre. Productions
by two of the country’s most
outstanding directors, Oskaras
Koršunovas and Eimuntas
Nekrošius, are highly
recommended. The Lithuanian
National Drama Theatre and
the more avant-garde State
Small Theatre of Vilnius A classical music concert in progress at the Congress Palace