|
Mėnuo Juodaragis (Black Horned Moon) is the festival of contemporary Baltic culture representing the heritage of heathen tradition, Baltic culture revival, post-folk currents and avant-garde of contemporary music. This outstanding event assumes ever new expression forms each year including a great number of concerts of both Baltic and foreign artists, shows of sound architects, rituals, lectures and films on many interesting topics, various expositions, crafts, creative projects, performances, games, dance parties, hikes, etc. Mėnuo Juodaragis is an independent event having its origins in people's enthusiasm and ideological causes. All festival activities are based on personal initiatives and free will exclusive of any formal undertakings. Mėnuo Juodaragis has been initiated in 1997 as a spontaneous gathering of several creative youths and their friends in Verbiškės Village next to Molėtai Town on one starry night. Today, MJR has become one of the most interesting summer festivals and the major Lithuanian event of alternative scene. An increasing number of visitors and artists take part in the festival with each year. The festival is arranged in picturesque locations of nature, which is closely related to the MJR concept. There emerged a tradition to organise the growing event into a new place every three years. After the start in Verbiškės, Mėnuo Juodaragis took place in Sudeikiai settlement next to Utena Town during 2000-2002. Namely in Sudeikiai, on the bank of beautiful green-eyed Alaušas Lake, Mėnuo Juodaragis grew into a grand event honoured by well-known artists from both Lithuania and abroad. The timing of the event also became fixed and falls on the last weekend of Summer. Then for 3 years, in 2003-2005 MJR was held in Kernavė, - the legendary historical place, ancient capital of Lithuania. A new cycle began in 2007 on a marvellous island at Zarasas lake - Mėnuo Juodaragis returns to the lakes and rises banners on the Northeastern wild nature land - Zarasai. Traditionally, Mėnuo Juodaragis stretches through three days and nights in a few scenes at a time so that each visitor should find his or her cup of tea here. The abundance of festival styles also determines the variety of public. Many scenes, many interesting, different, friendly people, young families. MJR is among the few events in Lithuania attracting foreign public, too. During the last festivals, people from Latvia, Poland, Estonia, Belarus, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Holland, Swiss, Czech Republic, Austria, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Canada, USA, Australia, Japan and India merged with the public. The festival has settled unique attributes, heraldry and model, which is complemented by new highlights each year. It also enjoys exceptional atmosphere. This is the place where new ideas are generated and deep artistry also provides stormy entertainment. For many, MJR has become a certain point zero in the year. MJR is arranged by record label DANGUS, a non-profit public institution "Baltijos Griaustinis". Starting from 2002, the festival is partially supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania, other culture institutions, various enterprises, media channels and private persons. However, the major sponsors of the festival are the unique bands and visitors returning to the festival like home every year. They are the true essence of this fest.
|
