Vingis Folk Dance Group
Vilnius, Lithuania

The Beginning
The history begins from “Vingis” – folk dance group of Vilnius Gediminas technical university. This ensemble can be called “the Cradle” of the new Lithuanian folk dance and music collective “Vilnis”. At April of 2003 it was established legal non-commercial organization “Ansambliu Senjorai” (“Seniors of Ensembles”), known in public as “Vilnis” group. It attracted lot of people partial to Lithuanian folk. Though the organization is very new, all members have big, more then 10 years experience in dancing, playing music and singing. The “Vilnis” ensemble type is assigned as elaborated group.

Unique
“Vilnis” is the first self-supporting folk group in Lithuania that collects member’s taxes.

The Structure
There are three genres: music, dance and song. Each of them has separate leader/manager. There is one manager of art for whole ensemble and president that represents collective. “Vilnis” has 75 registered members: 20 musicians, 35 dancers and 20 singers. Usually performing group contains from 20 to 40 people. The members’ average age is 30-45 years.

Performing
Achievements:
group “Vilnis” had over 100 concerts. We won first-degree diploma in adult category in republic competition “Is aplinkui” (“From all around”) in 2004 and absolute laureate diploma in the same competition in 2006 March. And in the last competition “Vilnis” has won the diploma as the highest art level group.
Festivals abroad: 2003 and 2004 “Vilnis” traveled to Poland and Netherlands together with other Lithuanian groups. 13 – 19 July, 2005 “Vilnis” participated in festival “Festimaiorca ‘2005” in Portugal (CIOFF). 20 – 26 June, 2006 “Vilnis” was invited to Turkey for Zonguldak municipality music and art Festival. Collective was noticed as friendly, warm and always smiley group.

Get-together
Along programs on the stage “Vilnis” members are always ready to show and teach some authentic Lithuanian dances and games in get-together / friendship parties, that makes unforgettable impression for other festival’s participants.

Contact information: VGTU folk dance group „Vingis“
Traku street 1
LT-03227, Vilnius
Lithuania

e-mail:
web site: vingis.vgtu.lt