European Lithuanian Culture Days 2026
September 11–13, 2026 Quality Hotel Strawberry Fields Arena · Solna, Stockholm Become a sponsor →
Time until the event
News
🎟️ Concert Tickets Are Now on Sale!
We invite you to purchase your tickets in advance and share the information with your family, communities, and everyone who wants to experience this wonderful event and enjoy the beauty of Lithuanian culture.
🏰 Registration for Stockholm Excursions Is Open!
We invite ELKD 2026 participants to register for guided tours of Stockholm Old Town led by Lithuanian guides Aušra and Liudas!
Tours take place September 11–13, last ~1.5 hours, and cost €15/person. Groups are limited to 40 people – register as soon as possible!
You can also try audio tours at your own pace with discount code elkd2026 (–€11.50).
📩 Late registration
European diaspora ensembles and community members wishing to participate in the IV European Lithuanian Cultural Days may inquire about late registration possibilities by email: elkd2026@gmail.com
Please get in touch as soon as possible — places are limited!
About the Event
“European Lithuanian Culture Days” is a bridge between nations, hearts, and generations. The celebration aims not only to remind Lithuanians of their roots but also to share the spirit of our nation with the world.
Through music, dance, language, art, and taste, we invite you to recognise yourself, feel a sense of community and pride in our culture, while also inviting representatives of other nations to discover Lithuania through an authentic experience.
This is not just an event – it is a living celebration of tradition and modernity, where everyone can find something close to their heart: whether it is a grandmother’s hand-sewn national costume or a folk song performed with a modern rhythm.
Promote cultural identity preservation among Lithuanians living abroad and pass on Lithuanian values to the younger generation.
Strengthen ties between European Lithuanian communities, encouraging cooperation and mutual support.
Open a cultural dialogue between the diaspora and Lithuanian institutions, building a more sustainable mutual relationship.
Promote Lithuanian culture in Europe through artistic activities, strengthening our identity in the global arena.
Lithuanian Community in Sweden — 80 Years
The IV European Lithuanian Culture Days will be a special occasion to mark eight decades of living history, community, and the continuity of Lithuanian culture in Sweden.
Organisers
The IV European Lithuanian Culture Days are organised by
Lithuanian Community in Sweden · World Lithuanian Community · Lithuanian National Culture Centre
Sponsors
The project is funded by
Your Visit
Event venue and useful information
Quality Hotel Strawberry Arena
Råsta Strandväg 1, 169 56 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
The hotel and event venue are connected by an internal corridor – convenience and simplicity!
hotel
📍 Location & Surroundings
- Quiet, modern area of Solna near the arena
- ~15-20 min to Stockholm city centre by public transport
- Nearby – Westfield Mall of Scandinavia (restaurants, shops)
- Nearby – Råstasjön lake and walking paths
- The area is safe and well-lit in the evenings
🚇 Public Transport (SL)
- Payment: bank card at the gates or the SL app
- To city centre: Pendeltåg from Solna station – ~7 min to Stockholm City
- Nearest stops: Solna station, Mall of Scandinavia
🅿️ Parking
- The hotel does not have dedicated free parking
- Cars: paid parking near the arena and Westfield Mall
- Buses: special parking zones near the arena during events
- All parking is paid; prices vary depending on events and time of day
🍳 Breakfast
- Breakfast is included in the accommodation price
- Buffet style
- Weekdays: 6:30–9:30
- Weekends: 7:00–10:30
✈️ How to Get from Arlanda Airport to the Hotel
Quality Hotel Strawberry Arena is located in Solna — right next to Friends Arena
🚆 Commuter Train (Pendeltåg)
⭐ Recommended option
From Arlanda, take the SL commuter train Pendeltåg (line 35/36) towards Södertälje, directly to Solna station. Journey takes about 28 minutes.
⚠️ Important: do not confuse with Arlanda Express! Avoid yellow trains and signs. Look for the SL sign in the “Sky City” zone between Terminal 4 and 5 — the information desk is located there too.
Tickets: via the SL app (SL+UL ticket required) or by tapping your contactless bank card at the gates.
When you exit at Solna station, the hotel is already visible — about 10 min. walk, no bus needed.
Price: 200 SEK
🚕 Taxi / Uber / Bolt
Most convenient with luggage
Journey time — 30–40 minutes, depending on traffic. “Taxi Stockholm” and “Taxi 020” are reliable operators with fixed prices.
Look for yellow “Taxi Stockholm” cars or official taxi stands at the terminal.
Taxi: ~495–600 SEK · Uber/Bolt: ~400–550 SEK
🚗 Car Rental
About 25–30 min. drive south via the E4 motorway. Only worthwhile if you need a car for your entire stay, as parking near the arena/hotel is not free.
Accommodation
⚠️ Important Information
- Accommodation registration and payment are handled individually by each participant
- Accommodation is NOT INCLUDED in the participant fee (140 EUR)
- The participant fee is non-refundable
Programme
Arrival and Introduction
According to individual pre-registration
Quality Hotel Strawberry Fields Arena, Hall S5
Quality Hotel Strawberry Fields Arena. Meal vouchers will be distributed.
Halls S1/S2. Don’t forget your short, interactive community presentation!
Rehearsals and Gala Concert
By genre at the assigned time
With artistic directors by genre. Free time for those not participating in rehearsals until 19:00.
Participants arrive for lunch strictly at the assigned time by genre
Baltic Day
According to individual pre-registration
Hersby Hembygdsgård, Lillhersbyvägen 1, Sollentuna. Easily accessible by public transport. The event is organised together with Latvian and Estonian communities, also inviting Swedish and Ukrainian ensembles.
Departure
Artistic Directors and Guests
The joint programme will be led by professional artistic directors from Lithuania
Ramūnas Baršauskas
Director of the joint choral programme
Edmundas Žička
Director of the joint dance programme
Dalia Mockevičienė
Director of the joint folklore programme
Folkloro grupė „Ratilai”
Energetic, audience-engaging professionals whose interactive concert programme has become a modern tradition. Where “Ratilai” go, there is rhythm, dance, and a true Lithuanian evening spirit.
The list of artistic directors and guests may be updated.
Participants
🎵 Choirs
💃 Dance Ensembles
Berlin Lithuanian Folk Dance Ensemble “Rėdos ratas”
Folk Dance and Song Ensemble “Baltai” (Düsseldorf)
TANCIUS – February 16th Gymnasium Folk Dance Ensemble
🎻 Folklore Ensembles
Participant Memo
Sweden ABC
Fun facts and useful information about Sweden
A coffee break with pastry – an important part of daily culture
The right to roam freely in nature, following the rules
Constitutional monarchy, King Carl XVI Gustaf
Prestigious awards presented annually in Stockholm
World-famous band from Sweden
IKEA, Spotify, Volvo – the power of Swedish innovation
Strong social welfare system and gender equality
~70% of the territory is covered by forests, with many lakes
🍽️ Traditional Swedish Dishes
Köttbullar
Swedish meatballs with mashed potatoes, cream sauce, and lingonberry jam.
Gravlax
Cured salmon with dill, served with mustard sauce.
Smörgåsbord
Swedish buffet – herring, salmon, meat dishes, cheeses, bread.
Surströmming
Fermented herring – a traditional northern Swedish dish.
Ärtsoppa ir pannkakor
Traditionally eaten on Thursdays – pea soup with pancakes for dessert.
Kanelbulle
Cinnamon bun – an inseparable part of “fika”.
Sill
Pickled herring in various marinades, eaten during Midsommar and Christmas.
Prinsesstårta & Kladdkaka
Marzipan cake and chocolate cake – the most popular desserts.
What to Do in Stockholm?
Stockholm – the capital of Scandinavia, spread across 14 islands connected by more than 50 bridges
The city is often called the “Venice of the North”. It is the political, economic, and cultural centre of the country, renowned for its historic old town, modern design, innovation, and vibrant cultural scene.
📍 Top Attractions
🚶 Free Tours
Free Tour Stockholm
Daily tours of the old town and city centre. Reservation required, tip-based pricing.
🎨 Street Art and Alternative Routes
Södermalm District
Creative, alternative neighbourhood with galleries and graffiti. Hornstull area – street art and urban culture.
Other Routes
Snösätra Wall of Fame – legal graffiti zone. Gamla Stan narrow streets route (~1 hr). Djurgården island (~1–2 hrs) – museums and parks.
🏙️ Rooftop Bars & Restaurants
Brunkebergstorg – panoramic views, Scandinavian cuisine
Södermalm – modern atmosphere with views
Restaurant with city centre views
Södermalm – elevated restaurant with old town views
🔗 More Inspiration
Excursions in Stockholm
Guided tours in Lithuanian for ELKD 2026 participants
Join guided tours of Stockholm led by local Lithuanian guides Aušra and Liudas!
🏰 Stockholm Old Town – Stories from Sweden’s Past and Present
Tour with AušraAušra Visockė – founder of Ekskursijos Stokholme, guide, TripAdvisor Top audio tour author. Has lived in Stockholm for 10 years.
Highlights:
- Sweden’s past and present, traditions, heroes and notable rulers
- Hidden gems with a thousand years of history
- Lithuanian connections – from Catherine Jagiellon to Independence
- The Royal Palace, Royal Cathedral, Parliament Riksdaghuset
- The “Stockholm Bloodbath” story at Gamla Stan’s Stortorget square
- Viking-era relics and unexpected ties with Lithuania
🚶 Walking Tour of Stockholm Old Town
Tour with LiudasLiudas Peseckas – has lived in Sweden for 9 years, a tour guide for 5 years. Studied History at Vilnius Pedagogical University.
Highlights:
- Kungsträdgården – the royal garden, connections to Vilnius
- The Royal Opera and “theatre king” Gustav III
- Riddarholmen – the knights’ island with Stockholm’s oldest building
- Gamla Stan – Prästgatan, the narrowest street, Järntorget square
- Stortorget – the main square with medieval history and Christmas markets
- The Royal Palace – the largest palace in the world still in use
📋 Tour Schedule and Prices
| Date | Day | Available Times |
|---|---|---|
| September 11 | Friday | 9:30 · 11:45 · 15:00 |
| September 12 | Saturday | 9:30 · 11:45 |
| September 13 | Sunday | 10:00 · 12:00 · 15:00 |
Times may be adjusted based on registration numbers. Registration until September 3.
🎧 Audio Tours with Mobile App
Prefer to walk at your own pace? Try interactive audio tours – rated 5 out of 5 by Lithuanian users! Created by guide Aušra with the VoiceMap platform team.
🏰 Stockholm Old Town
Classic route through Gamla Stan with stories and secrets.
🌆 Other Faces of Stockholm
The modern and luxurious centre – another side of Stockholm.
👑 Uppsala – In the Footsteps of Catherine Jagiellon
A historic route exploring Lithuanian-Swedish connections.
Special Discount Code for ELKD Participants!
elkd2026€11.50 discount on any audio tour or bundle · Only €8.49 instead of €19.99
Get Audio Tour →Frequently Asked Questions
European Lithuanian Culture Days is a cultural event for European Lithuanian choirs, dance, and art ensembles, uniting Lithuanians from across the continent through music, traditions, and community.
The Lithuanian Community in Sweden together with the World Lithuanian Community and the Lithuanian National Culture Centre.
Date: September 11–13, 2026
Venue: Quality Hotel Strawberry Fields Arena, Stockholm, Sweden
Registration is via the Google Forms link: Registration Form
No, the participant fee (140 EUR) is non-refundable.
Accommodation is reserved and paid for individually by each participant. The event hotel is Quality Hotel Strawberry Fields Arena with a special rate for participants.
Events will be conducted in Lithuanian.
Yes, filming and photography will be permitted during the event.
From Stockholm Arlanda Airport:
- Arlanda Express: Express train to Stockholm Central. ~18 min. (~320 SEK)
- Pendeltåg (SL): Commuter train to Stockholm City. ~40 min. Cheaper option (SL ticket + airport surcharge)
- Flygbussarna: Bus to Cityterminalen. ~45 min. (~129-159 SEK)
- Taksi / Uber / Bolt: ~450-700 SEK
From Stockholm Bromma Airport:
- Autobusas + metro: To Alvik station, then metro to the centre. ~30 min.
- Taksi / Uber: ~250-400 SEK
From Stockholm Skavsta Airport:
- Flygbussarna: To Cityterminalen. ~1 hr 20 min. (~199 SEK)
- Taksi: ~1 500-2 000 SEK
- Viešasis transportas (SL): Metro (Tunnelbana), Pendeltåg, trams, buses, and ferries
- Pėsčiomis: Most places in the city centre and Gamla Stan are within walking distance
- Dviračiais: Well-developed path network; seasonal rental via Stockholm eBikes
- Dalijimosi paslaugos: Uber, Bolt, Aimo, Kinto (automobiliai), Voi, Tier (paspirtukai)
The participant fee (140 EUR) includes dinner on Friday, lunch and dinner on Saturday. More information about additional catering will be provided later.
- Rehearsals: comfortable casual clothing
- Concerts: each ensemble wears their own concert attire
- Lithuanian national or stylised costumes may be worn according to the programme
Yes – there will be joint rehearsals and time for individual ensemble rehearsals.
Please inform the organisers in advance: ruta.zickiene2015@gmail.com
The preliminary programme is published in the programme section. The detailed programme will be finalised.
