"When Suvalkija Cherries Ripen..." Sung Poetry FestivalDainuojamosios poezijos festivalis „Kai sirpsta vyšnios Suvalkijoj…“

An annual sung-poetry festival held each July in Marijampolė’s Poezijos Park. Locally known and beloved, it features Lithuanian singer-songwriters and poets performing songs on the theme of Suvalkija ("Sudovia"). It draws audiences with performances of traditional and contemporary folk songs (dainuojamoji poezija). The festival has been held every summer for over a decade 1 2, with prominent artists like Vygandas Kazlauskas participating. Attendees enjoy staged concert evenings ebullient with guitars, kanklės, and heartfelt lyrics reflecting local culture.

Rooted in the strong sung poetry tradition of southern Lithuania, this festival celebrates lyrical storytelling through music, a form historically popular in Suvalkija. It often begins with songs of Vytautas Kernagis (a famed singer from Marijampolė) 1 and includes performances by artists from across Lithuania. The poetry of Stefanija Navickienė and others from the region often inspires new songs. It reinforces Suvalkija's cultural identity by showcasing local talent and the Lithuanian language in song.