Vilnius Tango Theatre - When tango speaks Lithuanian

The idea of reviving tango pieces that resonated in interwar Lithuania on the Vilnius Tango Theatre stage had been brewing for a long time. It is customary for the cultural heritage of the Lithuanian countryside to be preserved in the archives of Lithuanian choreographic heritage, but it is insufficiently appreciated that cities (especially Kaunas, even called the Little Paris) lived to the usual rhythm of European metropolises, and the voices of Antanas Šabaniauskas, Danielius Dolskis, and other performers, which sounded on Lithuanian Radio (celebrating its centenary this year), brought modernity, freedom, and the pursuit of dreams into the hearts and minds of Lithuanians. The tango performance confirms a little-known but important truth: tango was danced and sung in Lithuania as early as the interwar period, just a few decades after its inception. This dance, born in Argentina, having crossed the ocean and wandered through Europe, stumbled into Lithuania at the beginning of the 20th century. Here it was met ambiguously – it was both admired and resented, just like everywhere else. It left no one indifferent then, nor does it now. The moving and audience-beloved Lithuanian dance and music performance is about us – Lithuanians, about love, interwar emigration, returning to Lithuania, and hope. Vilnius Tango Theatre, which has been delighting audiences for a decade with impressive Argentine tango performances, has fulfilled an old dream and, together with "LILA TRIO", invites you to a special evening. Tango is a dance of freedom, finding a place in the minds and hearts of free people. For the first time in the theatre's history, tango has spoken in Lithuanian, revealing the beauty, elegance, and passion of the tango songs sung by legendary interwar creators Danielius Dolskis and Antanas Šabaniauskas.

Vocals: Lauryna Labutytė and Greta Švedkauskė; Music: "Lila Trio": Lauryna Labutytė (kanklės, vocals), Lijana Venslovienė (kanklės), Rūta Raginytė (lumzdelis/flute).

Dancers: European stage tango champion Alexis González, Vilnius Tango Theatre dancers Veronica Luna, Sol Oyhenart, Gabriel Carballo, Jade Rodriguez, Eduardo Pedroso.

Choreographers: Sigitas Repšys and Alexis Gonzalez Light and sound: "Modis Events" Modestas Jančiulis and Modestas Milčius