Baltic Manors Festival in Nemunas Valley

Literary Atmosphere and Fireworks Magic by the River

Baltic Manors Festival in Nemunas Valley / Lithuania on 27 June 2026

The Nemunas Valley Festival takes visitors to a special place in the cultural landscape along the River Nemunas, known in German as the Memel. At its centre is Panemunė Castle - an impressive site where historic architecture, museum culture, contemporary art and Lithuanian hospitality come together. Organised by the Vilnius Academy of Arts that owns the castle, the festival turns history into a living experience. This year’s programme focuses on Adam Mickiewicz’s national epic Pan Tadeusz – and more specifically on the world of the nobility, courtly customs and historical upheavals. The literary theme is brought to life through storytelling, crafts, music, dance and food. During the day, the castle park and courtyard fill with historical scenes and family-friendly activities; in the evening, they become the festive setting for a historically inspired fireworks display. This atmospheric finale is the highlight of a festival that always takes place around St John’s Day on 24 June. In this way, the Nemunas Valley Festival combines regional identity and literary history with the sensory magic of a summer evening at the castle.

Program Saturday, 27.06.2026

Time	Programme item
13:00–21:00	Historical Reenactment “The Last Assault in Lithuania. Noble Adventures 1811–1812”: Napoleonic-era military maneuvers presented by war history clubs in the castle park.
13:00–21:00	Manor Courtyard Life: The castle courtyard opens as a manor crafts and flavors fair featuring artisans and food trucks.
14:00	Festival Opening: A short introduction to the festival theme – Book II, “The Castle,” from Pan Tadeusz by Adam Mickiewicz.
14:30–15:30	Anton Gielgud – A Comic Book Hero?!: A workshop inviting participants to meet the authors of the comic “Ignacas’s Adventures” and create their own comic strip together. Ignacas’s Adventures tells the story of the 1831 Uprising.
15:00	Educational Activity “Noble Etiquette and Customs”: An interactive session on noble etiquette traditions: greetings, behavior in the manor environment, and everyday manners.
16:00	Discussion and Literary Readings “Pan Tadeusz. The Castle”: Readings of excerpts from Pan Tadeusz with commentary on castle symbolism and the worldview of the nobility. With Alicja Dziciewicz.
16:30–17:30	Anton Gielgud – A Comic Book Hero?!: A workshop inviting participants to meet the authors of the comic “Ignacas’s Adventures” and create their own comic strip together. Ignacas’s Adventures tells the story of the 1831 Uprising.
17:30–18:30	Manor Dance Lesson: Visitors are invited to join simple historical dances, including the polonaise and other manor dances. Dance instruction and a communal dance in the castle courtyard.
19:00 / 20:00 / 21:00	Evening Castle Tours: Guided tours of the castle take place throughout the evening.
18:30–23:00	Musical Programme in the Castle Courtyard: The historic castle courtyard transforms into an entertainment space featuring a concert and festive celebrations.
23:00–01:00	Historical Fireworks “Fire&Form”: A fireworks performance inspired by The Great Art of Artillery by Kazimierz Siemienowicz. Light and fire compositions illuminate the sky above the castle.