International Hanseatic Days. 100 Events in 4 Days

On 19-22 May 2011 the International Hanseatic Days were held in Kaunas.This festival was the greatest cultural event in the history of the city. The motto of this year celebrations was - To remember - to preserve - to restore - to be proud of.

The new Hanseatic City League was established 1980. It unites over 170 economically and politically active towns that have once belonged to the historical Hanseatic League. The purpose of this structure is to contribute to the development of economic, cultural, social and municipal unity in Europe. Kaunas joined "The Hanse" in 1991.

The guests from over 100 European cities were expected to the International Hanseatic Days in Kaunas. 100 events were run on in four days: the Mediaeval fair proceeded with crafts alley, the market of flowers, bread, cheese, meet, fish, vegetables, rummage were opened. The grand tournament of European knights - the duels of warriors organized for the first time in Lithuania, air balloons fiesta, carnival, an international HanseArtWorks project and outdoor exhibition, fire performance above the two rivers, the forum of Economy. One of the world famous Mediaeval music groups„Corvus Corax" (Germany) was invited as well.

At the same time the following 7 international festivals represented Kaunas: "Kaunas Jazz", "Music Festival of Pažaislis" (classics), "Operetta in Kaunas Castle" (opera and operetta), folk festival "Suklegos", "Pipe UpTo Kaunas" (reed), "Kaunas Canto" (sacral music), as well as choir music festivals. About half a million of visitors visited the International Hanseatic Days in Kaunas.

The City Hall was surrounded by a few rings of tents of the Mediaeval market. The guests sold crafts, cuisine specialities, promoted their cities.

12 information huts helped in orientating festival participants. Leaflets with the event program and the map, as well as other publications about Kaunas were available. The museums worked until 2 a.m. for four days. The safety was ensured by the additional police forces. Public transport means were operating all night long. The next International Hanseatic Days 2012 will be held in the German Luneburg.