International contemporary music festival
"DRUSKOMANIJA"

In a constantly intensifying flow of events in the cultural life of Lithuanian youth young professional artists are to take up a responsible role – they are to fuse together and transform relevant ideas of contemporary culture, put into practice their manifestations that are culturally important, inspire the appearance of new, original and significant ideas and implement them as well as preserve and nurture the already established artistic traditions.

The "Druskomanija" festival is one of the oldest contemporary music festivals in Lithuania dedicated to propagate contemporary music by Lithuanian and foreign young composers in Lithuania and abroad. The festival is organized every year by members of the Youth Section of the Lithuanian Composers' Union (for more information, see www.lks.lt, www.mic.lt, www.rhiz.eu).

In more than 20 years several generations of Lithuanian musicians have started from here: for many composers, musicologists, and performers the festival has been the first step, a debut stage which provided them with a first creative impulse, the first occurrence of stage fright, an opportunity to interact with more experienced colleagues or discuss with contemporaries. Participation by the best and most promising Lithuanian performers determines first-rate, precise performances, which is very important for a novice artist. A constantly increasing interest in the festival by foreign young composers expands the spectrum of musical and cultural experience and encourages international collaboration of the musical youth.

Introduction to the young foreign composers ideas and works is an important part of the festival‘s program since 2003. We have had guests and participants from the United Kingdom, Austria, Norway, Latvia, Finland, Italy, USA, Romania; we've heard works by authors from Chile, France, and The Netherlands. Such creative collaboration and international exchange together with possible follow-up projects is gradually becoming a tradition and one of the foremost priorities of the "Druskomanija" festival.

"Druskomanija" keeps growing and expanding every year. During many different concerts audiences are introduced to various styles of music, ranging from academic music to modern electronic experiments and popular music as well as folk songs. The musical aspect of the festival is every year complemented by new genres, such as theatre, dance, video art, poetry etc.

"DRUSKOMANIJA 2009"
Vilnius has become European Capital of Culture this year and Lithuania celebrating the millenary of its name, it is a special date in a history of the festival as well – "Druskomanija" celebrates its 25th anniversary!

On this occasion of the 25th anniversary of the festival we have changed it‘s status out of local contemporary music festival to the international contemporary music festival. A big step further has been made to expand the festival and spread its aura – it will take place in four cities: Druskininkai (traditionally), Vilnius, Trakai and Palanga.

The spectrum of the festival concerts is comprised of works of various musical genres and styles: a traditional concert by the Christopher Chamber Orchestra (conductor and art director prof. Donatas Katkus), special guests of the festival – Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra (conducted by J. Domarkas) and many other ensembles. For the last three years the festival was enriched by projects of the other forms of art, such as dance, theatre and fine arts. These will include a dance-music performance "EBRIATUM" ("Fused Marc" and "ART‘i"), "Contemporary Music Stage Performers" and their project “Muzika yra labai labai labai labai labai svarbi” / “Music is Very Very Very Very Very Important”, an exhibition of works by students of the KDA (Klaipėda Academy of Arts) and a joint-project of musical installations by students of VDA (Vilnius Academy of Arts) and LMTA (Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre).

Furthermore these years "Druskomanija" joining in a musical net of laboratory "THE PROCESS", organized by the "Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009". Famous guests composers of the festival and the musical net of laboratory: John Woolrich, Tansy Davies, Adam Gorb (United Kingdom), Rytis Mažulis (Lithuania), performer ensembles – "The Composers Ensemble" (United Kingdom), "Vilniaus Fagotynas" (Lithuania). Also we are expecting a crowd of young composers from various countries.