"Nemunas" is Folk Song and Dance Ensemble of Kaunas University Of Technology (KTU), established in 1949. It is one of the first folk ensembles in Lithuania. For the time being, "Nemunas" is the largest Lithuanian folk art group which consists of a choir, dancers, a folk instrument band and a classical instrument group.
As a part of KTU Folk Song and Dance Ensemble "Nemunas" established in 1949. The first artistic director became A. Čižas. After a year ensemble had nearly 70 members. In 1950, "Nemunas" won a competition against VU ensemble. In 1951, ensemble won first prize in USSR amateur art ensemble review.
Ensemble flag was created in 1988. Usually, it can be found in ensemble museum together with awards, souvenirs from trips. There you can find ensemble annals that holds ensemble history.
"Nemunas" hymn is sung on very special occasions. It is a song of exiles, which was brought back from the trip to Canada from Lithuanian emigrants.
Reporting meeting is the most official evening where new board is elected. Festival of Zeppelins - where everybody are making zeppelins together. Guys day is the day when all girls are making party for guys. Mister Nemunas election are held that evening. November fest is a day for newcomers. They have a chance to see a show of every genre. Christening is a day when newcomers oficially becomes members of ensemble. Girls day - when all guys are making party for girls. Miss Nemunas is eleteded that evening. Graduates farewell - another official evening, where all university graduates are honored.
Ensemble has traveled to many countries across the world. Most notable of them are Pakistan, the United States, Canada, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Mexico.
List of travels
Year
Travel to
Description
1951
Moscow
New KPI folk song and dance ensemble went on it's first journey to Moscow. The band and its managers have been awarded honorary VPSCT band, the ensemble won the first prize.
1955
?
World Youth and Student Festival.
1965
Romania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Hungary
24 days long dreamed trip.
1966
Finland
Concert in Helsinki, the Palace of Culture.
1966
Egypt
NEMUNAS concert group (40 people). Steamboat cruise went to Egypt through Odessa, Varna, Istanbul, Piraeus, Athens, Naples, Pompeii, Marseille.
1967
Poland, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia
Excellent reception and reviews in the press suggests that Lithuanian art found its way into the hearts of people.
1967
Canada
Expo'67. First Kaunas Polytechnic Institute (KPI), folk song and dance ensemble NEMUNAS trip across the Atlantic. NEMUNAS visitor to Canada and the Lithuanians played fair EXPO'67.
1969
Barb
It is full of warmth and hospitality meet in Lviv, Transcarpathia, Jasinioje. Nemuniečiai not only played, but climbed to the highest mountain - Goverlo.
1973
Yugoslavia
1975
USSR
Steamboat, the Volga River from Moscow-Volgograd.
1977
Czechoslovakia, the High Tatras
Nemunas performed in Toužine, Brumove, Lozorne.
1977
Belarus
NEMUNAS involved in Kaunas Culture Days in Belarus.
1981
Denmark
Nemuniečiai spent two weeks playing in Copenhagen, Odense, Aalborg and Aarhus.
1986
Romania
The trip went on as many as 70 group.
1988
Yugoslavia
1990
Poland
NEMUNAS performed in 580-th anniversary of Grunwald battle.
1992
England
Cleveland County, Middlesbrough at the tender young girls choir and a soloist, R. Semaškaitė took 2nd place in the competition, and the whole ensemble was specifically set up as a prize and the Happiest friendly staff.
1992
Spain
Only sneaked back to Kaunas, after 3 days Nemunas went to another trip.
1993
Spain, Muser
1993
Germany
Little America - the NATO base in Ramstein and Bitburg.
1994
Spain, Switzerland
1996
France
The eight-day stay at Nemunas organized 17 concerts. NEMUNAS performed in the center of Strasbourg, located Rohan Palace, Parliament House, and the last day there, visited Mars candy factory. En route to France NEMUNAS performed in Warsaw University of Technology.
1996
Germany
As many as 28 concerts in Wetzel, Neubrucko, Ramstein and other German cities schools.
1997
USA
NEMUNAS participated in the International Festival of World Folkfest.
1998
France, Due
1999
Poland
1999
Italy
Festival Dei Cours Tarcento city.
2000
France, Marseille
2002
Mexico
2003
Costa Rica
2004
Latvia
XIV Baltic Students Song and Dance Festival "Gaudeamus" in Riga.
2005
Mexico
2005
Pakistan
V. Drop initiative organized by Nemunas trip. Until the part has Nemunas days in Mexico, 10-strong group of people in concert - 3 voice, 3 vocals (a drum beat), 2 similar to the zither, pipe and accordion - go to another country in the world. In addition to the dancers? ... The vocals did learn to dance!
2006
Estonia
XV Baltic Students Song and Dance Festival "Gaudeamus in Tartu.
2007
Mexico, Venezuela
2009
Partugal
NEMUNAS bus left for the sunny city of Faro to participate in the festival Folkfaro. In both forward and backward along nemuniečiai visited the most beautiful cities in Europe - a real Eurotrip!
