Thousands of Lithuanians, and friends of Lithuania, came to Cleveland from all over the country and world for this grand weekend event culminating with the concert. Thousands gathered at Cleveland Public Auditorium for the concert.
Canadian representative enters Public Hall
It was incredible to see, and hear, over 1500 choir members from Lithuanian groups all over the world.
They began with all 1500 voices joined in the singing of the national anthems of the United States, Canada and Lithuania. It gave the crowd goose bumps.
Choir directors and others marched in one-by-one with a lighted torch that was then placed with the other torches.
Tents from a Lithuanian summer camp were set up as the choirs continued their singing.
During intermission, everyone want to see the torches and take pictures.
Also during the break I got to see a skrabalai. The skrabalai is a Lithuanian folk tuned percussion instrument consisting of wooden bells. Trapezoid-shaped wooden troughs of various sizes in several vertical rows with one or two wooden or metal small clappers hanging inside them. It is played with two wooden sticks. When the skrabalai is moved a clapper knocks at the wall of the trough. The pitch of the sound depends on the size of the wooden trough. It added a lot to the orchestra.
 Lithuanian skrabalai
 Rita Cyvas-Kliorys (on the right)
Another is Honorary Consul Ingrida Bublys  Honorary Consul Ingrida Bublys
with Archbishop from Lithuania Lionginas Virbalas S. J.
Honorary Consul Ingrida Bublys with Ambassador Plepyte and group at Lithuanian Cultural Garden
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Here are some more photos from the concert.
Lithuanian Song Festival 2025 in Cleveland Ohio
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