BGF 2025 LAUREATES
CLASSICAL GUITAR COMPOSITION CONTEST
David Echenberg (Canada) – „Le rêve et le rire“
David Echenberg (Canada) – „Le rêve et le rire“
CLASSICAL GUITAR COMPETITION
Group A
I place – Rebeka Sinkevičiūtė (Lithuania)
II place – Rokas Dobrovolskis (Lithuania)
III place – Urtė Kulikauskaitė (Lithuania)
Group B
I place – Rūta Vaškevičiūtė (Lithuania)
II place – Grigalius Kalkys (Lithuania)
III place – Klara Šumskaitė (Lithuania)
III place – Barbara Ewa DLugosz (Poland)
Group C
I place– Kaspars Saukums (Latvia)
II place – Georgi Samarski (Estonia)
III place – Noya Ajimov (Israel)
Group D
I place – Eva Pišek (Slovenia)
II place – Giovanni Autorino (Italija)
III place – Emanuele Squillace (Italy), Dylan Lee Prentner (Netherlands)
Group E1
I place – Rokas Dobrovolskis, Ramilis Dobrovolskis, Donatas Smalinskas (Lithuania)
II place – Žygimantas Dubosas, Tadas Bruneckas (Lithuania)
III place – Jonas Karčiauskas, Tomas Karčiauskas (Lithuania)
II place – Žygimantas Dubosas, Tadas Bruneckas (Lithuania)
III place – Jonas Karčiauskas, Tomas Karčiauskas (Lithuania)
Group E3
I place – Yevheniia Khmelenok, Illa Buriak (Ukraine)
II place – Nidas Danilevičius, Vaidas Grišmanauskas (Lithuania)
FESTIVAL PROGRAM
All activities and concerts take place at Kurhaus (Kurhauzas), B. Sruogos str. 2, unless indicated otherwise.
The concert on June 18th and all other festival events, except evening concerts and Sunday afternoon concert, can be attended free of charge.
The concert on June 18th and all other festival events, except evening concerts and Sunday afternoon concert, can be attended free of charge.
Teachers whose students participate in festival events or competition have a special price for participant and concert tickets. For a discount, please contact the organizers tel.: +37061584127.
Classical Guitar Solo and Ensemble Competition will take place on June 19–20th, 2026 in Birštonas Kurhaus and Birštonas Art School.
Winner of the composition competition!
We are delighted to announce the Winner of the Composition Competition: “Le rêve et le rire” by David Echenberg. Congratulations to the composer, and thank you to all participants for their inspiring submissions. We also extend our sincere thanks to the members of the jury — Dale Kavanagh, Zigmas Čepulėnas, Bert Lietaert, Chris Ruebens, and Jury Chairman Gerald Garcia — for their dedication and expertise.
We are delighted to announce the Winner of the Composition Competition: “Le rêve et le rire” by David Echenberg. Congratulations to the composer, and thank you to all participants for their inspiring submissions. We also extend our sincere thanks to the members of the jury — Dale Kavanagh, Zigmas Čepulėnas, Bert Lietaert, Chris Ruebens, and Jury Chairman Gerald Garcia — for their dedication and expertise.
June 18th
14:00 Announcement of the winner of the composition competition (on social networks)
19:00–19:40 THANAPOT LERTTHAM (Thailand) FREE CONCERT
14:00 Announcement of the winner of the composition competition (on social networks)
19:00–19:40 THANAPOT LERTTHAM (Thailand) FREE CONCERT
June 19th
09:00–09:30 Registration of the A, B, C 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 group C
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)
11:45–12:30 Break
12:30–13:00 Registration of the E1, E2, E3 groups to the Classical Guitar Competition (at Kurhaus)
13:00–14:00 Classical Guitar Competition groups E1, E2, 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 Guitar exhibition, Publishing house Auurk ed. (Belgium) and LMIC (Lithuania)
17:00–19:00 Break
19:00–20:45 ROSIE BENNET (UK) / DANIYAH GUITAR DUO (Portugal, Slovenia) TICKETS
09:00–09:30 Registration of the A, B, C 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 group C
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)
11:45–12:30 Break
12:30–13:00 Registration of the E1, E2, E3 groups to the Classical Guitar Competition (at Kurhaus)
13:00–14:00 Classical Guitar Competition groups E1, E2, 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 Guitar exhibition, Publishing house Auurk ed. (Belgium) and LMIC (Lithuania)
17:00–19:00 Break
19:00–20:45 ROSIE BENNET (UK) / DANIYAH GUITAR DUO (Portugal, Slovenia) TICKETS
June 20th
09:00–09:45 Finger aerobics with ANTOON VANDEBORGHT (Belgium)
09:00–09:45 Finger aerobics with 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 ROSIE BENNET (United Kingdom) album and arrangements presentation
16:30–17:00 Classical Guitar Competition Award Ceremony (group D)
16:00–18:00 Guitar exhibition, 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 RAPHAËL FEUILLÂTRE (France) TICKETS
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 ROSIE BENNET (United Kingdom) album and arrangements presentation
16:30–17:00 Classical Guitar Competition Award Ceremony (group D)
16:00–18:00 Guitar exhibition, 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 RAPHAËL FEUILLÂTRE (France) TICKETS
June 21th
09:30–12:00 Masterclasses for the laureates of the competition
10:00–12:00 Guitar exhibition, 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 ROSIE BENNET (United Kingdom) seminar: “Exploring silence as an expressive musical element”
16:00–17:30 BGF GUITAR ORCHESTRA / HISTÉRICO DUO (Italy) TICKETS
09:30–12:00 Masterclasses for the laureates of the competition
10:00–12:00 Guitar exhibition, 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 ROSIE BENNET (United Kingdom) seminar: “Exploring silence as an expressive musical element”
16:00–17:30 BGF GUITAR ORCHESTRA / HISTÉRICO DUO (Italy) 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
May 5th registration deadline of the first round (video)
May 9th 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
May 5th registration deadline of the first round (video)
May 9th 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 – “Labyrhythm” https://new.auurk.com/book-detail/374 by Matas Jaroševičius (Lithuania). 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 – “Labyrhythm” https://new.auurk.com/book-detail/374 by Matas Jaroševičius (Lithuania). 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 IS CLOSED
PRIZES
The prize pool is more than 7000 euros!
The winners of the Competition will be awarded with prizes of Savarez, Knobloch, Midiaudio, Fermata and masterclasses. Masterclasses will be held by Rosie Bennet, Raphaël Feuillâtre, Davide Di Ienno, Dale Kavanagh, Thomas Kirchhoff, Thanapot Lerttham, Michele Paolino, Antoon Vandeborght and the Baltic Guitar Quartet.
The prize pool is more than 7000 euros!
The winners of the Competition will be awarded with prizes of Savarez, Knobloch, Midiaudio, Fermata and masterclasses. Masterclasses will be held by Rosie Bennet, Raphaël Feuillâtre, Davide Di Ienno, Dale Kavanagh, Thomas Kirchhoff, Thanapot Lerttham, Michele Paolino, 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 Fermata
Group B
1st place - Martinez Almeria Artist RS guitar (worth 600 EUR)
Group C
1st place - Prodipe Soloist 500 guitar (worth 650 EUR), this prize is provided by Fermata
Group D
1st place:
• 1000 EUR
• a concert at the BGF 2027
2nd place - Martinez MC-128S guitar (worth 1100 EUR)
Groups E1, E2, E3:
Grand Prix – 300 EUR
Group A
1st place - Prodipe Student 3/4 guitar (worth 300 EUR), this prize is provided by Fermata
Group B
1st place - Martinez Almeria Artist RS guitar (worth 600 EUR)
Group C
1st place - Prodipe Soloist 500 guitar (worth 650 EUR), this prize is provided by Fermata
Group D
1st place:
• 1000 EUR
• a concert at the BGF 2027
2nd place - Martinez MC-128S guitar (worth 1100 EUR)
Groups E1, E2, E3:
Grand Prix – 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 2025 was “Labyrhythm” https://new.auurk.com/book-detail/374 by Matas Jaroševičius (Lithuania).
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
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/LrgfSFNAuX1mBGgRA
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this exciting new tradition! Register now and find out more here: https://forms.gle/LrgfSFNAuX1mBGgRA
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