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Lithuania is the land of songs. The historic chronicles had noted the beauty of a folk song that used to accompany people throughout their entire life. Millenary songs are still heard in Lithuanian villages, as it is by songs that the Lithuanian mentality can be conveyed and the rather nostalgic national character be revealed best. It is no wonder that the tradition of the Song Festival is preserved in Lithuania, when all creative souls of the nation – singers, dancers, instrumental music performers, folk craftsmen, actors, composers, writers, choreographers, painters, amateur stage directors and professional artists - gather together. Comparing the spirit and magnificence, a parallel between a Song Festival and ancient Greek Olympic Games could be drawn. The first Song Festival was held in 1924 in Kaunas, assembling approximately 3,000 participants and 10,000 spectators. In 85 years it grew up into an impressive cultural movement. The Lithuanian Song Festival is organized every four years. The fundamental parts of the program are:- the Folklore Day, unfolding the geographical and genre diversity of traditional culture- the Ensembles Night, presenting the folk culture in a theatrical and stylized form- the Dance Day, distinguishing itself by professionally staged finest choreographic ornaments- the Song Day, drawing up over 15,000 singers which perform folk songs and pieces of vocal music. The culmination of the day is a capella singing. In 2003, UNESCO included the tradition of the Song and Dance Festivals of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in the list of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The Song of the Centuries which will take place in July is the 18th Song Festival. This is an exceptional event, selected as the main accent of the programme of the Commemoration of the Millennium of Lithuania for being the most universal manifestation of the national culture. The title of the Festival reflects the natural need of Lithuanian nation to live in harmony of both people among themselves and their environment, the nature.  On July 1-6, the Festival will gather approximately 40,000 performers to various events in Vilnius and Kaunas. The main accent of the Festival is the Song Day. About 18,000 singers will perform the most beautiful songs of the previous Song Festivals and new pieces dedicated to the Millennium of Lithuania on an outdoor stage in Vilnius.

It is no wonder that the tradition of the Song Festival is preserved in Lithuania, when all creative souls of the nation – singers, dancers, instrumental music performers, folk craftsmen, actors, composers, writers, choreographers, painters, amateur stage directors and professional artists - gather together. Comparing the spirit and magnificence, a parallel between a Song Festival and ancient Greek Olympic Games could be drawn.