International Folklore Festival (Singing from Boats, Klaipėda)Tarptautinis folkloro festivalis „Parbėg laivelis“ Klaipėdoje

A biennial international folk festival in Klaipėda, "Parbėg laivelis" ("Little boat has returned") focuses on ethnographic song and dance. Participants (folk ensembles from Lithuania and abroad) perform traditional music and dances in the Old Town, including evening concerts in various venues. A hallmark is "Dainos ant vandens" – singing from boats on the Danė River. The festival is part of the CIOFF (UNESCO folklore) calendar and draws crowds to celebrate Baltic and coastal folk traditions 1 2.

The festival reinforces Klaipėda’s cultural link between land and sea. Its name recalls fishermen’s return home. It highlights Curonian (Lithuanian Minoryn) folk customs and underscores Klaipėda’s heritage of multicultural port community. Baltic and European folk groups share repertoire, reflecting Klaipėda’s international character while anchoring in regional history 1 2.