OTHER
WHAT WILL WE SEE - WHAT WILL WE HEAR - WHAT WILL WE KNOW - HOW WILL WE REVEAL?
MJR XXIV – OTHER PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
In the incredibly diverse and vibrant closing program of the Mėnuo Juodaragis (MJR) festival, you’ll find a multitude of creative activities. Festival-goers know that it’s impossible to see, participate in, and experience everything… but that’s the essence of Juodaragis—bursting with various Baltic reflections in multiple places at once. Forgive us if you can’t catch everything, but we promise—this won’t happen again! :):) To help you better choose what interests you the most, learn more about the features of the MJR XXIV program:
::: Vintage Photography Studio "AGE OF SILVER" :::
Photographer Rimas Kavaliauskas and his family team present the techniques of the dawn of 19th century photography. Take a picture with an old camera and get a unique portrait on glass – an ambrotype, the kind that drove Paris crazy 170 years ago. Near the Tent of Wisdom.
::: Magic Typewriters :::
In the little house at the Enchantment Courtyard, artist Dominykas Andriuškevičius will set up a residence of mechanical printing machines. Visitors to the festival will have the chance to capture their thoughts, ideas, memories, wishes, or the most unexpected moments of the Mėnesio Juodaragis in a “vintage” way, now almost forgotten. What would you like to leave for Dūburys Island, the Juodaragis community, or yourself? Thoughts arise… and stay as marks. We’ll print them on special paper! You can visit Dominykas’ installation every day of the festival in the Yard of Magic.
::: BATHHOUSE :::
This year, the popular saunas will be located in different spots around Dūburys Island.
The traveling Angelų malūnas (Angels’ Mill) sauna will be set up near the Clay House – not only can you enjoy a good steam here, but you’ll also learn more about the traditions of Lithuanian saunas. Experienced sauna masters will invite new visitors every hour, offering men’s, women’s, children’s, communal, and night saunas. The saunas are paid, and advance registration (at the sauna) is required. For inquiries, call +370 650 98888. The head of “Angels’ Mill,” Ričardas Rasiukas, will give practical lectures at the sauna, discuss shamanic saunas, and lead ancestral honoring rituals at dawn.
- Thursday, 08/22: Saunas from 17:00 to 24:00.
- Friday, 08/23: Saunas from 09:00 to 24:00.
11:00 – Lecture: Sacred Lithuanian Sauna – Ričardas Rasiukas
12:00 – Vibroacoustic Massage with Switches - Saturday, 08/24: Saunas from 09:00 to 24:00.
12:00 – Bundle Tying and Proper Switching - Sunday, 08/25: Saunas from 09:00 to 12:00.
11:00 – Lecture: Shamanism and Sauna – Ričardas Rasiukas
::: STARGAZING :::
Discover Aušrinė and your star in the sky! Young Astronomers’ Rally stargazers and their telescopes will invite You to observe and explore the night sky – every night from 23.00 to 03.00. If the sky is cloudy, the observations will be replaced with informative talks by the astronomers. You’ll find the observation tent on Stargazers’ Hill, where the tent and car camping area has been set up in recent years.
::: Dr. Jono Basanavičius AUŠRA :::
The Institute of Lithuanian Literature and Folklore presents a complete set of the first Lithuanian newspaper “Auszra” (the Dawn) published after 140 years – a special facsimile for you to see and read. Ethnologist Gražina Kadžytė introduces the issues, authors and texts of the 19th century revival. Every day from noon at the Oak tree in the Craft Yard.
::: Dawn Rising from Dūburys’ Mists :::
Renowned ethnologist and festival friend Gražina Kadžytė invites you to a final MJR morning adventure: on Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m., join us for a boat ride on the lake or come to the pier by the Clay House to discuss the recently discovered manuscript “The King of Serpents” by Lithuanian healer Eugenija Šimkūnaitė. Those who oversleep are invited to a follow-up discussion at 9:00 a.m. in the Crafts Yard.
::: DIDIEJI BŪGNAI :::
Creative sound journeys, meditations, and workshops, introducing you to the largest drums and other interesting instruments for both children and adults. Playing the drum is perhaps the oldest form of active meditation known to humanity. Listening to drum rhythms can help restore inner peace, resolve internal conflicts, and transform negative past energy into positive. This wonderful instrument directly connects us with the true nature of humanity and its depth, linking us to Mother Earth, our ancestors, and the Universe. The drum rhythm opens doors to our inner depths, unlocking the subconscious—it’s a mysterious journey that connects the inner and outer worlds, the visible and invisible, the conscious and the unconscious.
Big and small drums will resonate, along with various rattles, singing bowls, bells, whistles, moon drums, and a plethora of other wonderful archaic instruments. Together, we will learn to hear new harmonies and silence. The experiences will be led by Karolina and Tadas Šimkai, sound therapy and self-improvement studio “Artimi garsai,” and drum masters Asta and Mindaugas Špokauskas, Bugninom.
You’ll find the Great Drums Camp in the Middle Meadow, open throughout the festival days. Two special sessions are also planned:
- Friday, 08/23:
13:00 – 15:00 – Intuitive Drumming Lesson for Families - Saturday, 08/24:
15:00 – 17:00 – Shamanic Heart Drums – Sound Journey
We’ll listen lying down, with our eyes closed. Bring something to lie on and cover yourself with.
::: BIBLIOBUSAS :::
Dawn is light, and light is education.
With an educational mission, the Bibliobus arrives at the festival, waiting for curious young festival-goers in the Middle Meadow near the Children’s Yard. Registration for activities is required.
- Friday, 08/23:
12:00 – 18:00 – Bookmark making workshop using marbling technique
14:00 – Reading of the book “The Great Book of Beings” (author: Kotryna Zylė)
16:00 – Making celestial bodies carousel workshop - Saturday, 08/24:
09:00 – 13:00 – Cartoons for children in the Bibliobus
13:00 – 18:00 – Bookmark making workshop using marbling technique
12:00 and 14:00 – Reading of the book “The Great Book of Beings” for children and creative workshop
16:00 – Making celestial bodies carousel workshop
::: LIETUVOS ŠAULIŲ SĄJUNGA :::
For the third year, Lietuvos šaulių sąjunga (Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union), a voluntary paramilitary organization, will introduce its principles at the MJR festival. Come, try, and find out what every citizen can do for the homeland! Find the LŠS tent in the Middle Meadow.
- Saturday, 08/24:
10:00 – 17:00 – Rifleman’s equipment, fire lighting, actions, camouflage
10:00 – 11:00 – First aid, tourniquets, and their use. Resuscitation practice
11:00 – 12:00 – Survival basics. Go-bag
12:00 – 13:00 – Knot and rope tying
14:00 – 15:00 – Setting up a sleeping place – how not to freeze
15:00 – 16:00 – Survival basics. Go-bag
16:00 – 17:00 – First aid, tourniquets, and their use. Resuscitation practice
::: Relax with kanklės:::
Kanklės (Lituanian folk instument) player Donatas Vaičius invites you to personally experience the magical vibrations of the kanklės, find peace, and remember what is eternal. 15 minutes of special sound therapy – just for You alone.
On Friday and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. Registration in the Yard of Magic.
::: ANGELŲ TAKAIS :::
“Angels’ Paths” is an impressive virtual reality film based on the work of renowned Lithuanian artist M. K. Čiurlionis, beautifully capturing the spirit of Lithuanian culture. This film immerses viewers in the magical world of Čiurlionis’ paintings, experiencing his art in three-dimensional space.
Using the latest technology, “Angels’ Paths” recreates the artist’s unique vision, allowing viewers to explore mystical landscapes and spiritual worlds.
This is an excellent example of how Lithuanian art can be presented differently, combining tradition with modern innovations.
We invite you to register on Saturday from 10:00, with 5 slots available, screenings every 30 minutes. Location – Middle Meadow.
::: JUODARAGIO KINAS :::
Šių metų MJR kino programa džiugins ne tik magiškais bei šmaikščiais lietuvių kūrėjų darbais, bet nukels ir į komišką Milošo Formano 1967 metų Čekijos ugniagesių pasaulį, ves per ugningą ir raganišką moterų režisierių trumpo metro kiną, supažindins su muzikinės dokumentikos užkulisiais ir, žinoma, pateiks gero avangardo naktibaldoms.
::: FISHING :::
MJR Žvejonė – Morning Meditation to Greet the Rising Sun and an Exciting Test of Fishing Skills at This Year’s Festival.
Every early bird who wishes to participate is welcome, provided they bring a float fishing rod, a soft mesh net, and are prepared to follow the RFR (Recreational Fishing Rules).
We invite you to register for the Žvejonė starting from Thursday at Žinyčia. Final registration is on Saturday at 5:00 AM, with the start at 5:30 AM. Spaces are limited.
ŽVEJONĖ RULES
The tournament starts on Saturday morning at 5:30 AM and ends at 10:00 AM. Registration at Žinyčia begins at 5:00 AM.
Each angler will be assigned a fishing spot by lot. Half an hour is given for preparation.
During the tournament, you can use one float fishing rod with a single hook. A spare rod can be prepared for fishing and placed in a convenient spot for the angler.
Participants must follow the RFR (Recreational Fishing Rules) and have a valid recreational fishing license, which can be purchased at www.alisas.lt/permits.
Fish must be kept in soft mesh nets. The angler is morally responsible for the welfare and life of the catch. Fish that do not meet the RFR requirements must be released.
After the tournament time ends, any fish caught will no longer be counted.
Fish will be weighed in each sector, and the angler must remain in the sector until the organizers have assessed their catch.
The tournament winner is the participant who catches the biggest fish.
Nei žvyno!
