2026 – a special year for Šiauliai! The city celebrates its 790th anniversary.
The Šiauliai Cultural Center invites everyone – cultural, educational, tourism, and sports institutions, non-governmental organizations, businesses, creators, and communities – to join in creating the anniversary year program and submit information about planned events, exhibitions, concerts, educational activities, guided tours, campaigns, and other initiatives.
Our goal is to collaboratively create a year-long celebratory program highlighting the city’s most widely recognized identity: “Šiauliai – the City of the Sun in the Land of the Sun”, emphasizing the city’s identity through history, culture, art, sports, education, business, and community activities that shape the city’s spirit. Highlighting the city’s identity is a way to give voice to history in the present and engage the community in telling their city’s story.
The anniversary year will emphasize the city’s heritage, history, and identity, inviting participants to experience the journey of the year through the city’s main symbols – the Sun and the city coat of arms. The anniversary year is divided into four symbolic parts: “Dawn. The Awakening Bull”, “Sun Growth. The Guarding Bear”, “Sun Power. The Duke’s Hat”, “Sun Abduction. The Eye of Providence”.
Selection criteria for events and initiatives (hereinafter – Event):
1. Openness and accessibility: The event:
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is not closed – open to the public, regardless of participant status, organizational affiliation, or social position;
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may be paid or free, but ensures accessibility (clear ticketing policy, discounts, or social mechanisms);
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takes place in a public or community-accessible space.
Goal: To ensure that events are designed for the general public and serve the public interest.
2. Public and societal value: The event:
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has a clear social, cultural, educational, sports, social, or economic purpose;
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contributes to the quality of city life and community strengthening – through creativity, health, education, civic engagement, or collaboration;
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creates tangible value for the city – bringing people together, encouraging participation, initiative, or innovation;
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aligns with public policy principles – inclusiveness, accessibility, respect for diversity, ethics, sustainability;
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can be interdisciplinary – combining multiple fields (e.g., culture + sports, art + entrepreneurship, education + community).
Goal: To ensure that the event or initiative has social significance, creates tangible value for city residents, strengthens the community, fosters pride in the city, and contributes to sustainable development.
3. Alignment with city strategy and identity: The event:
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contributes to highlighting the city’s identity – through history, art, culture, sports, education, entrepreneurship, or community;
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strengthens Šiauliai’s reputation as a regional cultural center;
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reflects the city’s values – openness, creativity, community, and preservation of traditions.
Goal: To ensure that every included event serves the city’s vision and aligns with the overall cultural policy.
4. Organizational ownership and responsibility:
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The event is led by the main organizer, not solely by a third party. Third-party events may be included if they align with the city’s values, do not contradict public interest, and the organizer has clear cooperation with a city institution;
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The event organizer may have partners;
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The organizer is responsible for content quality, alignment with values, communication, and public image – ensuring accountability for both content and outcome.
Goal: To guarantee that city-endorsed events are authentic, have clear ownership, and maintain strategic direction.
Events are evaluated on a “meets / does not meet” basis.
An event will only be included in the city program if it meets at least three criteria.
Submitted and selected information will be published on the anniversary year events and initiatives platform: www.siauliaisvencia.lt and in printed anniversary year promotional materials.
Registration deadline: March 1, 2026
Registration form: https://www.siauliaisvencia.lt/renginio-forma/
