Festival of Ancient Traditions and Arts GABYA

The festival of contemporary art and ancient traditions “GABYA” will take place between 16-18 of July in the unique territory of the Curonian Spit National Park – Smiltynė. 

 It is a festival that connects contemporary art, tradition, music and ecology, it will promote healthy lifestyle and partnerships of youth communities.

The event will take place in the Smiltynė Yacht Club, in public spaces of Smiltynė, on the grounds of the Sea Museum, and on the beach.

In cooperation with foreign and local partners, creators of works of visual art, music, fine arts, audiovisual art, land art, interdisciplinary arts, it is planned to decorate the spaces, create artistic light and sound installations, to organize creative workshops, musical performances and bring nature lovers together in a joint event.

About 20 creators, theatres, collectives and artist from Lithuania and foreign countries will take part in the event. Our priority is to create unique, Klaipėda-based content that spreads a message to Lithuania and beyond.

Attractiveness of the projects and activities would make the gem of the Curonian Spit desirable to visit and be included in youth travel and work maps.

 Klaipeda was declared the European Youth Capital in 2021. This festival acquires the role of a joint event and a herald not only among the ancient local cultures and traditions, contemporary art, but also among the youth and creators of Eastern and Western European countries, who will present themselves and their cultures. Gabya Festival is the synergy of nature, creativity, ecological awareness and art.

 The event spaces include at least 2 music stages, many art spaces where theatre, music, dance artists will present their works, an open gallery for visual arts, art installations and creative workshops.

 In cooperation with foreign and local partners, creating works of visual art, music, art, audiovisual arts, earth art, interdisciplinary art, we plan to design spaces, create artistic light and sound installations, organize creative workshops, musical performances and bring together nature-friendly audience.

 Domestic and foreign artists will take part in the creative workshop “Beach Art” on July 12-16, which will take place in Smiltyne. The creative works of this symposium will be presented to the audience and public of the festival Gabya on July 16-18.

The first performers and creators participating in the festival:
• Saulius Petreikis and World Orchestra
• The Roop
• Kamanių šilelis
• Šeiko Dance Company
• Lithuanian multipart songs. Intuitive singing with Joana.
• Daumantas Lukošiūnas
• Ingaja
• RAMĖJA & Kristijonas Lučinskas
• Forest therapy with Mila Monk
… and many others.