This is the second part of my post about the Autumn Fair in Kaunas. If you haven’t seen the first part yet, where I shared about the traders and the atmosphere of the fair, you can check it out here!!
In this part, I want to focus on the traditional side of the event – the folklore stage, where songs, concerts, and dances took place.
To be honest, I am not really a fan of folk music. I don't listen to it, and it’s not my usual style of art. But standing there and photographing the performances, it was beautiful in its own way. There is something very touching about traditions that are preserved and carried forward, especially when you see young people performing them with so much passion.
The stage was set up along Freedom Alley, and at different times of the day, various folklore groups performed. They wore traditional costumes, sang old songs, and danced in ways that have been passed down through generations. It wasn’t just entertainment – it felt like a living connection to history.
What surprised me most was how interactive it became. At first, the performers were dancing while the audience watched, but soon the energy spread to the crowd. People started clapping, smiling, and some even joined in the dances. It was not just a performance to look at from a distance – it was something everyone could feel part of.
I enjoyed capturing those moments of shared joy. A group of young dancers twirling in traditional steps, older people in the audience clapping along, and children looking curious – all these details created a sense of unity. Even though folk music is not my personal taste, I felt that photographing it gave me a new appreciation for how traditions survive.
Events like this show that folklore is not something “old-fashioned” but something alive. It adapts to the present because people keep practicing it, celebrating it, and inviting others to join. Seeing young performers especially made me think that traditions are safe in their hands.
As a photographer, this part of the fair was also a challenge. Capturing moving dancers requires quick reaction, good timing, and a bit of luck. Sometimes the photo works perfectly, and sometimes the movement is too fast. But I enjoyed the challenge because it pushed me out of my comfort zone.
The audience was clearly enjoying themselves. You could see the happiness on their faces, and I think that is the best proof that folklore is still meaningful. Even if you don’t listen to it every day, in moments like these you understand its power to bring people together.
I left the folklore stage with a smile, even though I came with little interest in the beginning. Sometimes photography teaches you not only technical skills but also to see beauty where you didn’t expect it. And that was exactly the case here.
I hope you enjoy the photos from this part of the fair as well. They show the dances, the energy, and the atmosphere of traditions that are alive and celebrated in Kaunas.
