DRESS TO KILL: Throughout the three-day festival the streets of Vilnius will be reigned by metalists, punks, goths and other creatures of the night.
VILNIUS - Vilnius' old power plant will be coming to life once again May 4 - 6 with the return of the largest alternative and Dark Wave music festival in the Baltics, Kunigunda Lunaria. Already in its sixth year, the festival is becoming a staple event in the nation's underground youth culture. In fact, it's become so popular that one of the country's most acclaimed writers, the late Jurga Ivanauskaite, even wrote about it in her last novel.
Kunigunda Lunaria adds a dash of mystery to the streets of the city. Started by a non-commercial organization whose goal was to gather together young people who feel left out of popular culture, the event gives aficionados of alternative music the chance to dress up in their wildest gear, head out onto the streets of the city at night and generally create a carnival-like scene.
Fans gather to listen to underground music and unique bands from around the world. This time the industrial atmosphere of the old Vilnius power plant will add to the underground feel.
Though the festival originally concentrated solely on goth music, now electronic, metal, industrial, ambient, punk and experimental music will flood the building. This year nine bands from Latvia, Estonia, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland, Italy and even Japan, as well as eight Lithuanian projects, will get the crowds moving.
It's important to know though that Kunigunda Lunaria is about more than just music. There will also be exhibitions, weird films, visual installations, industrial decor, and long after-parties where international DJs spin vinyl. Lovers of underground music will also be able to take something home with them as CDs will be on sale at the power plant. And those lucky people who manage to get the first 70 tickets will be given a special Kunigunda Lunaria CD.
The power plant isn't the only strange, disused space the festival will invade. On the third day the festival will move to the deserted Concert and Sports Hall, which is still filled with the ghostly echoes of applauding crowds from years past. Even though these venues are long unused, the audience should rest assured that they'll still be able to get some sustenance: when music can no longer keep them awake, they can get coffee in at least two cafes in the power plant.
This year organizers have prepared a special surprise for the audience 's a unique play at the Vilnius Puppet Theater.
The festival is also a good way to learn more about Vilnius. Organizers offer two tours of the secret spots of Vilnius: one excursion will take you to the Energy Museum, and the other tour will show you the ghostliest places of Vilnius, including its dungeons. During the festival various art galleries will showcase works by young painters and photographers. In the future, organizers hope to make the festival an even bigger canvas for self expression.
Tickets can be reserved through www.tiketa.lt
For more information visit www.kunigunda.lt
