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2019-03-07 Back to list

Celebrating March 11th in Kaunas

It's our Restoration of Independence Day!

On March 11th, 1990, the Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuania adopted an Act on the Restoration of an Independent State of Lithuania. For 29 years now, this day has been one of the most anticipated and most celebrated throughout Lithuania.

You are more than welcome to join the celebrations if you’re in town on Monday, March 11th, 2019. Here’s what we’ll be doing.

On 10 am, the official festivities will start with Holy Mass. You can choose from The Kaunas St. Peter and St. Paul Cathedral Basilica (Vilniaus g. 1) or the St. Michael the Archangel Church (Soboras, Nepriklausomybės a. 14).

After the mass, the Kaunas brass band Ąžuolynas will jumpstart the celebration at the garden of Vytautas the Great War Museum. Be there before noon if you want to see the Raising of the Vytis Cross Order Flag ceremony which is unique to Kaunas and was initiated before WW2. The new members of the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union will swear during the ceremony. Right after the official part, the party will continue right there in the museum square with a concert by local indie acts – Colours of Bubbles, Tomas Sinickis and Biplan.

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The Lithuanian tricolour is a must-have accesory on March 11th! Picture by Kaunas municipality

One more concert is scheduled for 3 pm on Monday. A handful of Kaunas-based choirs will perform at the Kaunas Cultural Centre. Free entrance!

After dark, at 8 pm, bonfires will be lit by the Kaunas Castle. Here’s your chance to learn to play Lithuanian military games and indulge in exciting conversations about the history of Lithuania.

A handful of museums in Kaunas will be open on March 11th, which is an exception rather than a rule, as the holiday coincides with Monday, which is a day off for these institutions. We’re flattered the dedicated staff of the Kaunas City Museum departments, the Ninth Fort museum and the will open their doors wide on that day.

Of course, the Kaunas IN tourist information centre at the Town Hall will be open and ready to answer all your kaunastic questions. Our festive working hours will be from 10 am to 4 pm.

Need more ideas for March 11th in Kaunas? What about a self-guided tour of modernist architecture or street art? We've published quite a few themed maps that'll help you navigate. Check out our publication list and grab a free copy at the tourist information centre or download a PDF.


P.S. There’s one more thing we’re happy to recommend. Our friend Narmin (we interviewed her a few months ago!) is hosting an English-language pub quiz dedicated to Lithuania on March 12th at the Old Town Pub. Click here for more information.

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