Dear friends of Jorė, Jorė 2026 will be a special one – the 30th celebration. We warmly invite you to join us on April 25–26. Let us celebrate this occasion together.
IMPORTANT TO BRING | TRADING ALLOWED | ACCOMMODATION
XXX FESTIVAL OF THE FIRST SPRING GREENERY
JORĖ 2026
Preparatory Community Work Day
Saturday, April 18–19, 11:00
11:00–17:00 Jorė preparation “Gyvo žalio!” – we welcome the first greenery of spring by decorating the Observatory pillars, altars and gates, arranging the Perkūnas sacred site, preparing the path to the Kulionys hillfort and its ritual grounds.
18:00 Lecture by Jonas Vaiškūnas on celestial signs.
19:30 Ritual sauna.
Overnight stay possible in the “Star Dome” with sleeping mats and sleeping bags, surrounded by nature and night visions.
Festival Day
Saturday, April 25, 11:00
Songs. Sutartinės (ancient polyphonic chants). Traditions. Exhibitions. Concerts. Talks. Evening gathering. Fire. Dance…
11:00 Opening of the exhibition “Lithuanian Gods” by Romualdas Petrauskas. Presentation by Jonas Vaiškūnas.
12:00–18:00 Traditional crafts: bread baking with Vaidotė Reventienė, Baltic bronze jewelry with Rimantas Ordinas, sash weaving with Algimantas Sabaliauskas, Lithuanian native sheep presentation by Kęstas Samušis.
12:30 Opening of Eglė Abariūnienė exhibitions: “Dewy Flames”, “Star Engravings”, “Joručiai”. Presentation of spiritual game “Star Engraving Kadabra”.
13:30–14:00 Poetry reading dedicated to Jorė by Robertas Šarknickas.
14:00–15:00 Reading the signs of the sky at the Ancient observatory (Stebykla) by Jonas Vaiškūnas.
15:00–16:00 Concert by guests from Latvia: Dievturi and the KTMC “Ritums” folklore group “LAIVA” from Riga. Leader – Anda Ābele.
16:00–17:00 Concert “Gyvasčia” by Agotos Zdanavičiūtė and Kristijonas Lučinskas.
17:00–18:00 Ritual group “Kūlgrinda” concert.
18:00–24:00 Perkūnas sauna.
18:00–19:00 Sutartinės workshop by Iveta Meduneckytė.
18:00–19:00 Traditional games by Tomas Aleknavičius.
19:00–20:00 Folk dance workshop by dr. Dalia Urbanavičienė.
20:00–24:00 Evening bonfire, fire performances, gathering and dancing by Valdas Striužas.
Ritual Day
Sunday, April 26, 11:00
Green awakening. Procession. Ancestors. Great Gods. Initiation. Fire. Earth. Bread. Thunder. Offerings. Feast.
10:30 Preparation of ritual brew at the Perkūnas sanctuary.
11:00 Gathering at the Observatory. Greetings by the high priestess and ritual leaders.
11:30 Procession to Kulionys hillfort with songs, candles and sacred fire.
12:00 Honouring the ancestors at the hillfort. Ritual songs and offerings through the Eternal Fire.
12:30 Initiation into Romuva community.
13:00 Ritual warrior reenactment.
14:00 Procession back carrying the Sacred Fire.
14:30 Passage through the Gates of Jorė.
14:40 Lighting of the ritual fire at the Observatory.
Offerings to Gabija (fire), Žemyna (earth), Perkūnas (thunder). Sharing ritual bread and eggs. Blessings in a circle.
15:10 Offering stones brought from meaningful places.
15:30 Ritual meal and shared feast.
16:30–18:00 Talk at the Star Dome on harmony with natural forces by Jeronimas Laucius.
IMPORTANT TO BRING
All participants of the Jorė rituals are kindly asked to bring an offering to the Perkūnas sanctuary – a stone from a place that is meaningful to you. When offered to Perkūnas with words of goodwill, such wishes are believed to find their way.
- Sprigs of the first spring greenery to decorate the ceremonial gates and the sacred site.
- A flag for the festive procession. The flags are seen by the spirits of our ancestors – they join us in the celebration and strengthen our shared spirit.
- A stone to be offered at the sanctuary of Perkūnas.
- A Baltic piece of ritual jewelry (for those preparing for initiation into the Romuva community). If you do not bring one, you may create it on Saturday with the help of a craftsman or acquire one on site.
- A bowl and a spoon for the ritual meal, and a cup for drinking ritual kvass.
- Decorated eggs (“joručiai”) for offering, cracking and rolling.
- Food for the ritual feast, for sharing and offering to others.
TRADING ALLOWED
Traditional crafts and food may be sold (except alcohol).
ACCOMMODATION
Camping allowed. Nearby rural homesteads available.
ORGANIZERS
Green Club “Gojus”
Molėtai Regional Museum
Lithuanian Romuva
ORGANIZERS OF THE XXX JORĖ FESTIVAL
Green Club “Gojus”
Molėtai Regional Museum
Lithuanian Romuva
SUPPORTERS OF THE XXX JORĖ FESTIVAL
Lithuanian Council for Culture (partially funds the project)
Molėtai District Municipality (contributes to the project funding)
Tėviškės Alkas
