Be2gether festival
Encyclopedia
Be2gether or B2G is the largest annual music and arts festival in Baltic countries
. Established in 2007, it takes place in Norviliškės
, Lithuania
, just a few meters from the border with Belarus
. In 2007 attendance was estimated at 7,000–8,000, while it increased to 12,000 in 2008., and in 2009 it reached 13,000.
panhandle: Lithuanian territory surrounded by Belarus on three sides. The area is remote and is difficult to reach, as travel across border is restricted as Lithuania is a member of the European Union
and Belarus is not. In 2008, Belarusians could receive the needed visas without a fee if they traveled to the festival. Due to festival's proximity to the state border, special security measures have to be undertaken to prevent people from inadvertently crossing the border. The festival is situated in the historic Vilnius Region
, inhabited by peoples of Lithuanian, Polish, Belarusian, Russian nationalities. The Renaissance Norviliškės Castle
reminds the visitors of shared history under the Grand Duchy of Lithuania
.
Be2gether represents different musical flavors, including rock
, electronic, world and alternative music. The festival invites mostly international bands. In addition to musical performances, the festival offers other activities, including craft studios, cinema in the open air, sport games, music and dance lessons, sculpture park. The children are offered daycare with their own activities.
, with a rally to support Georgia in 2008 South Ossetia war
, then moved to Norviliškės Castle
grounds for main performances on August 15 and 16. The festival concluded on August 17. Around 70 performers took part in the festival, including:
, injured by the nuclear disaster
at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant
. A DVD of the first festival was distributed with tickets for Be2gether in 2008. The festival boasted performances by 32 artists, including:
Baltic states
The term Baltic states refers to the Baltic territories which gained independence from the Russian Empire in the wake of World War I: primarily the contiguous trio of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania ; Finland also fell within the scope of the term after initially gaining independence in the 1920s.The...
. Established in 2007, it takes place in Norviliškės
Norviliškes
Norviliškės, is a small village in the so-called Dieveniškės appendix, Šalčininkai district municipality, Lithuania. It is located about northeast of the town of Dieveniškės near the border with Belarus. In 1986 it had 58 residents, and 24 residents in 2001....
, Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
, just a few meters from the border with Belarus
Belarus
Belarus , officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered clockwise by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Its capital is Minsk; other major cities include Brest, Grodno , Gomel ,...
. In 2007 attendance was estimated at 7,000–8,000, while it increased to 12,000 in 2008., and in 2009 it reached 13,000.
About the festival
Be2gether was created with a slogan Music Opens Borders to unite people, despite the differences in their culture, nationality, age or social position. To underscore this goal, the festival is held in the so-called DieveniškėsDieveniškes
Dieveniškės is a town in the Vilnius County of Lithuania, located about away from the Belarusian border in the so-called Dieveniškės appendix. Dieveniškės is surrounded by the Dieveniškės Regional Park.- History :...
panhandle: Lithuanian territory surrounded by Belarus on three sides. The area is remote and is difficult to reach, as travel across border is restricted as Lithuania is a member of the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
and Belarus is not. In 2008, Belarusians could receive the needed visas without a fee if they traveled to the festival. Due to festival's proximity to the state border, special security measures have to be undertaken to prevent people from inadvertently crossing the border. The festival is situated in the historic Vilnius Region
Vilnius region
Vilnius Region , refers to the territory in the present day Lithuania, that was originally inhabited by ethnic Baltic tribes and was a part of Lithuania proper, but came under East Slavic and Polish cultural influences over time,...
, inhabited by peoples of Lithuanian, Polish, Belarusian, Russian nationalities. The Renaissance Norviliškės Castle
Norviliškes Castle
Norviliškės Castle is a Renaissance style castle in Norviliškės, Lithuania. The Norviliškės Castle is first mentioned in 1586. In 1617 the owners donated part of the real estate land to Franciscans. Around 1745 they built a monastery and a church in Renaissance style...
reminds the visitors of shared history under the Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
The Grand Duchy of Lithuania was a European state from the 12th /13th century until 1569 and then as a constituent part of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth until 1791 when Constitution of May 3, 1791 abolished it in favor of unitary state. It was founded by the Lithuanians, one of the polytheistic...
.
Be2gether represents different musical flavors, including rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
, electronic, world and alternative music. The festival invites mostly international bands. In addition to musical performances, the festival offers other activities, including craft studios, cinema in the open air, sport games, music and dance lessons, sculpture park. The children are offered daycare with their own activities.
Be2gether 2010
The fourth festival was held on June 25–27, 2010. Be2gether announced that performing bands will include- Australian Empire of The SunEmpire of the Sun (band)Empire of the Sun is an Australian electronic music duo that formed in 2008. The duo is composed of Luke Steele of The Sleepy Jackson and Nick Littlemore of Pnau. The two met in 2000 after both being signed to the same record label. Luke and Nick knew that they instantly had a chemistry like no other...
- rock stars Skunk AnansieSkunk AnansieSkunk Anansie is an English rock band whose members include Skin , Cass , Ace and Mark Richardson .Skunk Anansie formed in March 1994, disbanded in 2001 and reformed in 2009...
- electronic rock trio from Denmark WhoMadeWhoWhoMadeWhoWhoMadeWho formed in 2003, with falsetto voiced bassist Tomas Hoffding coming from the Scandinavian rock underground, singer songwriter/guitarist Jeppe Kjellberg from the avantgarde jazz scene, and drummer Tomas Barford – who also records as Tomboy...
- playful CasiokidsCasiokidsCasiokids are a Norwegian synthpop ensemble from Bergen, and Stavanger formed in 2005. The band consists of Ketil Kinden Endresen, Fredrik Øgreid Vogsborg, Omar Johnsen and Kjetil Bjøreid Aabø. Associated musicians are Joachim Amundsen Trana, Eirik Utne, Einar Olsson, Geir Svensson and Snorre...
- HaydamakyHaydamaky (band)Haydamaky is a Ukrainian folk rock band formed in 1991.- History :The Haydamaky began their career in 1991, shortly after Ukraine declared its independence from the Soviet Union. Then the band was known as Aktus, and played mostly local gigs in the underground Kiev music scene...
- beatboxers BauchklangBauchklangBauchklang is an Austrian beatboxing group.This "vocal groove project" formed 1996 around the frontman and leadsinger Andreas Fraenzel out of a musical-production "Jesus Christ Superstar" which he and Alex Boeck participated in...
- hip-hop star Roots ManuvaRoots ManuvaRodney Hylton Smith , better known by his stage name Roots Manuva, is a British rapper from Stockwell, South London. He is currently signed to Big Dada.-Biography:...
- new LeningradLeningradLeningrad is the former name of Saint Petersburg, Russia.Leningrad may also refer to:- Places :* Leningrad Oblast, a federal subject of Russia, around Saint Petersburg* Leningrad, Tajikistan, capital of Muminobod district in Khatlon Province...
project - RubleRubleThe ruble or rouble is a unit of currency. Currently, the currency units of Belarus, Russia, Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transnistria, and, in the past, the currency units of several other countries, notably countries influenced by Russia and the Soviet Union, are named rubles, though they all are... - Crystal FightersCrystal FightersCrystal Fighters are a British electronic band with Spanish influences who formed in London, UK in 2007. Their debut album Star of Love was released on 4 October 2010.-Formation and early years:...
Be2gether 2009
The third festival Be2gether was arranged on June 12–14, 2009. Be2gether 2009 included such bands as:Be2gether 2008
On August 14, music festival Be2gether started in VilniusVilnius
Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania, and its largest city, with a population of 560,190 as of 2010. It is the seat of the Vilnius city municipality and of the Vilnius district municipality. It is also the capital of Vilnius County...
, with a rally to support Georgia in 2008 South Ossetia war
2008 South Ossetia war
The 2008 South Ossetia War or Russo-Georgian War was an armed conflict in August 2008 between Georgia on one side, and Russia and separatist governments of South Ossetia and Abkhazia on the other....
, then moved to Norviliškės Castle
Norviliškes Castle
Norviliškės Castle is a Renaissance style castle in Norviliškės, Lithuania. The Norviliškės Castle is first mentioned in 1586. In 1617 the owners donated part of the real estate land to Franciscans. Around 1745 they built a monastery and a church in Renaissance style...
grounds for main performances on August 15 and 16. The festival concluded on August 17. Around 70 performers took part in the festival, including:
Be2gether 2007
The first festival was supported by two large scenes and club tent. Part of the money gained from tickets selling was donated to children from ChacherskChachersk
Chachersk is a city in the Homiel Province of Belarus, an administrative center of the Chachersk district. It is located in an area which is highly contaminated due to the fallout of the Chernobyl disaster.-History:...
, injured by the nuclear disaster
Chernobyl disaster
The Chernobyl disaster was a nuclear accident that occurred on 26 April 1986 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine , which was under the direct jurisdiction of the central authorities in Moscow...
at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant
Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant
The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant or Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant is a decommissioned nuclear power station near the city of Pripyat, Ukraine, northwest of the city of Chernobyl, from the Ukraine–Belarus border, and about north of Kiev. Reactor 4 was the site of the Chernobyl disaster in...
. A DVD of the first festival was distributed with tickets for Be2gether in 2008. The festival boasted performances by 32 artists, including: