Festival of Crafts and Culinary Heritage “Žemaitiu Gīvastis” (Samogitian Vitality)

The Samogitian Museum “Alka” presents a one-of-a-kind celebration in the Telšiai district—an event dedicated to ethnic culture that highlights the uniqueness and cultural richness of the region. The festival takes place at the Samogitian Village Museum.

EVERY YEAR ON THE THIRD SATURDAY OF MAY, visitors are invited to immerse themselves in a lively atmosphere: tasting traditional foods, enjoying local drinks, meeting animals, exploring games and activities, or simply losing themselves in music and evening dances as part of the International Museum Night.

Theme of 2026: “Žemaitiu Gīvasty” – All of Lithuania!
Craftspeople and culinary heritage bearers from all five ethnographic regions of Lithuania come together in one place—the Samogitian Village Museum—to present their traditions.

Recognizing the importance of this event to the region, the Telšiai District Municipality has included the festival in its list of Priority Events for five consecutive years (since 2022). The project is also partially funded by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania.

The Samogitian Village Museum is the only open-air museum of its kind in Samogitia, showcasing rural life from the late 19th to the early 20th century. Authentic farmsteads, a windmill, a forge, and sacred architectural monuments invite visitors to step into the past. Surrounded by nature, with blooming peonies and dahlias and grazing native Žemaitukai horses, the museum offers a rich and engaging ethnographic experience throughout the year.

The festival aims to celebrate and preserve Samogitian identity by promoting traditional crafts, language, costume, and culinary heritage through interactive and educational experiences.

JOIN US ON MAY 16, 2026, FROM 4:00 PM AT THE FESTIVAL “ŽEMAITIU GĪVASTIS”!