FESTIVAL PROGRAM
All activities and concerts take place at Kurhaus (Kurhauzas), B. Sruogos str. 2, unless indicated otherwise.
The concert on June 12th and all other festival events, except evening concerts and Sunday afternoon concert, can be attended free of charge.
The concert on June 12th and all other festival events, except evening concerts and Sunday afternoon concert, can be attended free of charge.
To purchase a Festival Participant Ticket, which includes: accommodation, meals and tickets to all events (excluding the competition contestant’s fee), please complete this form.
Classical Guitar Solo and Ensemble Competition will take place on June 13–14th, 2025 in Birštonas Kurhaus and Birštonas Art School.
TICKET to all concerts
June 12th
14:00 Announcement of the winner of the composition competition (on social networks)
19:00–20:00 MILDA ORVYDAITĖ (Lithuania), ROKAS JURKUS (Lithuania)
14:00 Announcement of the winner of the composition competition (on social networks)
19:00–20:00 MILDA ORVYDAITĖ (Lithuania), ROKAS JURKUS (Lithuania)
June 13th
09:00–09:30 Registration of the A, B, C, E1, E2, E3 groups to the Classical Guitar Competition:
at Birštonas Art School (Birštono meno mokykla), J. Basanavičiaus sq. 6 for groups A and B
at Kurhaus (Kurhauzas), B. Sruogos str. 2 for groups C, E1, E2 and E3
After the registration for the competition, the duration times of the competition groups may be adjusted.
09:30–10:00 Classical Guitar Competition group A (at Birštonas Art School)
10:15–11:45 Classical Guitar Competition group B (at Birštonas Art School)
10:00–11:45 Classical Guitar Competition group C (at Kurhaus)
11:45–13:00 Break
13:00–14:00 Classical Guitar Competition groups E1, E2 and E3 (at Kurhaus)
14:00–15:00 BGF guitar orchestra rehearsal
15:15–16:00 Classical Guitar Competition Award Ceremony (groups A, B, C and E1, E2, E3)
16:00–17:00 Exhibition of different manufacturers’ guitars, Publishing house Auurk ed. (Belgium) and LMIC (Lithuania)
17:00–19:00 Break
19:00–20:30 DUO BANDINI-CHIACCHIARETTA (Italy) TICKETS
09:00–09:30 Registration of the A, B, C, E1, E2, E3 groups to the Classical Guitar Competition:
at Birštonas Art School (Birštono meno mokykla), J. Basanavičiaus sq. 6 for groups A and B
at Kurhaus (Kurhauzas), B. Sruogos str. 2 for groups C, E1, E2 and E3
After the registration for the competition, the duration times of the competition groups may be adjusted.
09:30–10:00 Classical Guitar Competition group A (at Birštonas Art School)
10:15–11:45 Classical Guitar Competition group B (at Birštonas Art School)
10:00–11:45 Classical Guitar Competition group C (at Kurhaus)
11:45–13:00 Break
13:00–14:00 Classical Guitar Competition groups E1, E2 and E3 (at Kurhaus)
14:00–15:00 BGF guitar orchestra rehearsal
15:15–16:00 Classical Guitar Competition Award Ceremony (groups A, B, C and E1, E2, E3)
16:00–17:00 Exhibition of different manufacturers’ guitars, Publishing house Auurk ed. (Belgium) and LMIC (Lithuania)
17:00–19:00 Break
19:00–20:30 DUO BANDINI-CHIACCHIARETTA (Italy) TICKETS
June 14th
09:00–09:45 Finger aerobics with LAURA YOUNG (Canada) and ANTOON VANDEBORGHT (Belgium)
10:00–11:15 Classical Guitar Competition group D
11:45–13:00 Classical Guitar Competition group D
13:00–14:00 Break
14:00–15:00 BGF guitar orchestra rehearsal
15:15–16:00 CHRIS RUEBENS (Belgium, Lithuania), MINDAUGAS STUMBRAS (Lithuania), Presentation of their new publications for two guitars
16:30–17:00 Classical Guitar Competition Award Ceremony (group D)
16:00–18:00 Exhibition of different manufacturers’ guitars, Publishing house Auurk ed. (Belgium) and LMIC (Lithuania)
17:00–18:15 Break
18:15–18:45 Concert of the winners of the BGF Competition Group D
19:00–20:30 MARKO TOPCHII (Ukraine) TICKETS
09:00–09:45 Finger aerobics with LAURA YOUNG (Canada) and ANTOON VANDEBORGHT (Belgium)
10:00–11:15 Classical Guitar Competition group D
11:45–13:00 Classical Guitar Competition group D
13:00–14:00 Break
14:00–15:00 BGF guitar orchestra rehearsal
15:15–16:00 CHRIS RUEBENS (Belgium, Lithuania), MINDAUGAS STUMBRAS (Lithuania), Presentation of their new publications for two guitars
16:30–17:00 Classical Guitar Competition Award Ceremony (group D)
16:00–18:00 Exhibition of different manufacturers’ guitars, Publishing house Auurk ed. (Belgium) and LMIC (Lithuania)
17:00–18:15 Break
18:15–18:45 Concert of the winners of the BGF Competition Group D
19:00–20:30 MARKO TOPCHII (Ukraine) TICKETS
June 15th
09:30–12:00 Masterclasses for the laureates of the competition
10:00–12:00 Exhibition of different manufacturers’ guitars, Publishing house Auurk ed. (Belgium) and LMIC (Lithuania)
11:00–12:00 BGF guitar orchestra rehearsal
12:00–14:00 Break
14:00–15:30 BERT LIETAERT (Belgium), seminar / workshop: “For the Record”
16:00–17:30 BGF GUITAR ORCHESTRA / LAGRIMOSA BELTÁ: FRANCES PAPPAS (Greece, Canada), LAURA YOUNG (Canada) TICKETS
09:30–12:00 Masterclasses for the laureates of the competition
10:00–12:00 Exhibition of different manufacturers’ guitars, Publishing house Auurk ed. (Belgium) and LMIC (Lithuania)
11:00–12:00 BGF guitar orchestra rehearsal
12:00–14:00 Break
14:00–15:30 BERT LIETAERT (Belgium), seminar / workshop: “For the Record”
16:00–17:30 BGF GUITAR ORCHESTRA / LAGRIMOSA BELTÁ: FRANCES PAPPAS (Greece, Canada), LAURA YOUNG (Canada) TICKETS
CLASSICAL GUITAR COMPETITION
IMPORTANT DATES
Groups A, B, C, E1, E2,E3
March 15th start of the registration to the competition
May 15th registration deadline
Groups A, B, C, E1, E2,E3
March 15th start of the registration to the competition
May 15th registration deadline
Group D
March 15th start of the registration to the competition
April 24th registration deadline of the first round (video)
May 1st announcement of the results of the first round for group D
May 15th registration deadline of the second round for finalists of the Group D
March 15th start of the registration to the competition
April 24th registration deadline of the first round (video)
May 1st announcement of the results of the first round for group D
May 15th registration deadline of the second round for finalists of the Group D
PARTICIPANTS
The competition is open to classical guitar performers:
Group A (5–10 years) – two pieces, different in style and character (up to 3 min)
Group B (11–14 years) – two pieces, different in style and character (up to 5 min)
Group C (15–18 years) – free program (up to 8 min)
Group D (no age limit):
First round (video) – free program (up to 15 min), more information about the video requirements on the registration form.
Second round (live performance of the finalists during the festival in Birštonas) – free program, containing the compulsory piece – "Wolf" https://new.auurk.com/book-detail/328 by Mickael Luis (Portugal, Switzerland). Pieces from the first round can be repeated (up to 20 min in total).
The competition is open to classical guitar performers:
Group A (5–10 years) – two pieces, different in style and character (up to 3 min)
Group B (11–14 years) – two pieces, different in style and character (up to 5 min)
Group C (15–18 years) – free program (up to 8 min)
Group D (no age limit):
First round (video) – free program (up to 15 min), more information about the video requirements on the registration form.
Second round (live performance of the finalists during the festival in Birštonas) – free program, containing the compulsory piece – "Wolf" https://new.auurk.com/book-detail/328 by Mickael Luis (Portugal, Switzerland). Pieces from the first round can be repeated (up to 20 min in total).
Ensemble groups:
Group E1 (5–12 years) – free program (up to 7 min)
Group E2 (13–18 years) – free program (up to 10 min)
Group E3 (no age limit) – free program (up to 12 min)
In Groups E1, E2 and E3, the ensemble must contain at least one guitar.
Group E1 (5–12 years) – free program (up to 7 min)
Group E2 (13–18 years) – free program (up to 10 min)
Group E3 (no age limit) – free program (up to 12 min)
In Groups E1, E2 and E3, the ensemble must contain at least one guitar.
FEES
Groups A, B, C – 30 EUR
Group D – 60 EUR (to be paid after the announcement of the selected finalists)
Groups E1, E2, E3 – 15 EUR for each ensemble member, with a maximum fee of 60 EUR for each ensemble (in case the ensemble consists of 5 members or more).
Groups A, B, C – 30 EUR
Group D – 60 EUR (to be paid after the announcement of the selected finalists)
Groups E1, E2, E3 – 15 EUR for each ensemble member, with a maximum fee of 60 EUR for each ensemble (in case the ensemble consists of 5 members or more).
The participant fee does not apply to Ukrainian citizens who will be able to present a document proving citizenship, to be shown upon arrival in Birštonas.
REGISTRATION
Those who wish to participate have to register and fill in the form "Registration for the competition".
As a selection of participants in Group D will be carried out, all players have to submit a video link of their work (or works) when registering.
More information in the registration form.
REGISTRATION
Those who wish to participate have to register and fill in the form "Registration for the competition".
As a selection of participants in Group D will be carried out, all players have to submit a video link of their work (or works) when registering.
More information in the registration form.
PRIZES
The prize pool is more than 6,000 euros!
The winners of the Competition will be awarded with prizes of Savarez, Knobloch, Midiaudio, Fermata and masterclasses. Masterclasses will be held by Giampaolo Bandini, Rokas Jurkus, Milda Orvydaitė, Frances Pappas, Marko Topchii, Antoon Vandeborght and the Baltic Guitar Quartet.
The prize pool is more than 6,000 euros!
The winners of the Competition will be awarded with prizes of Savarez, Knobloch, Midiaudio, Fermata and masterclasses. Masterclasses will be held by Giampaolo Bandini, Rokas Jurkus, Milda Orvydaitė, Frances Pappas, Marko Topchii, Antoon Vandeborght and the Baltic Guitar Quartet.
Excluding other presents and masterclasses, the main prizes for the winners:
Group A
1st place - Prodipe Student 3/4 guitar (worth 300 EUR), this prize is provided by MB Fermata
Group B
1st place - Martinez MC88-C guitar (worth 400 EUR)
Group C
1st place - Prodipe Soloist 500 guitar (worth 650 EUR), this prize is provided by MB Fermata
Group D
1st place:
• 1000 EUR
• a concert at the BGF 2026
2nd place - Martinez Munich-S guitar (worth 1299 EUR)
Group E3
1st place - 300 EUR
Group A
1st place - Prodipe Student 3/4 guitar (worth 300 EUR), this prize is provided by MB Fermata
Group B
1st place - Martinez MC88-C guitar (worth 400 EUR)
Group C
1st place - Prodipe Soloist 500 guitar (worth 650 EUR), this prize is provided by MB Fermata
Group D
1st place:
• 1000 EUR
• a concert at the BGF 2026
2nd place - Martinez Munich-S guitar (worth 1299 EUR)
Group E3
1st place - 300 EUR
CLASSICAL GUITAR COMPOSITION CONTEST
The Baltic Guitar Festival International Classical Guitar Composition Contest was established in 2021 to encourage composers to create new works for classical guitar and so broaden the repertoire for the instrument. Contest rules.
Contest participant fee does not apply to citizens of Ukraine.
Contest participant fee does not apply to citizens of Ukraine.
The winning piece of the Classical guitar composition contest 2024 was "Wolf" https://new.auurk.com/book-detail/328 by Mickael Luis (Portugal, Switzerland).
PRIZES
The winning composition will be published by Auurk ed. (Belgium), the composer will receive 10 free copies of the piece and 300 EUR.
The winning composition will be published by Auurk ed. (Belgium), the composer will receive 10 free copies of the piece and 300 EUR.
BGF GUITAR ORCHESTRA
This year, the festival is launching something truly special – its very own Guitar Orchestra! Open to guitarists of all levels, this unique ensemble will bring musicians together for an unforgettable musical experience. You’ll get the chance to rehearse, perform, and connect with fellow guitar enthusiasts. The orchestra will culminate in a live performance on the final day of the festival, making it a highlight of this year’s edition!
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this exciting new tradition! Register now and find out more here: https://forms.gle/KiEsqb9QreR74C1N7
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this exciting new tradition! Register now and find out more here: https://forms.gle/KiEsqb9QreR74C1N7
Sponsors
