In 1991, Lithuanian country singer-songwriter, producer, and journalist Virgis Stakėnas came up with the idea of organizing a festival dedicated to country music. His idea was supported by Sigitas Morkūnas from the Ministry of Culture, who proposed to hold the event in Aukštaitija National Park, Edmundas Žalpys, and Elena Čekienė. Stakėnas proposed to name the festival after Lake Visaginas.
The inaugural festival almost didn’t take place due to bureaucratic difficulties and the 1991 August Coup in Moscow. However, on the very eve of the event the organizers finally got the green light from the authorities, and the first Visagino Country festival opened on August 24, 1991. It featured country bands from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Czechoslovakia, and the United States.
Today, Visagino Country draws about 20,000 attendees every year. Due its scale and atmosphere, it is sometimes referred to as Lithuanian Woodstock. Over the years, it has welcomed performers from almost all European countries, as well as from Australia, Canada, and the United States.
The festival is usually held over two days in mid-to-late August, with stage performances starting around 6 pm. Musicians from different countries perform country music of various genres: folk country, country rock, bluegrass, rockabilly, and more.
In addition to the evening concerts, the program of the festival includes a variety of entertainment and free events for visitors of all ages, including a trade fair, line dancing, exhibitions, children and youth concerts, a motorized parade, and various attractions.
The festival has paid admission, and it is highly recommended to buy your tickets in advance because the event is highly popular among country music fans. There is a camping site available at the festival territory, as well as hotel accommodations in Visaginas.
Photo: J. Cholodovos
