MĖNUO JUODARAGIS 2009 will ride with Perkūnas horses!

The 12th edition of remarkable Baltic post-folk alternative festival Mėnuo Juodaragis (MJR) is calling again to gather in the green pagan island of Zarasai lake, Lithuania, the heart of Baltics. Traditionally MJR will take place on the last weekend of Summer, the 28-30th August, with a whispering nostalgic adieu to Fading Summer and greetings for new starlit Autumn. Evoking old traditions and presenting contemporary, living Baltic culture, MJR festival will charm visitors with archaic music, rituals and dances, also crafts' yard and many good forgotten things. By the way number 12 holds a magic spell in folk tradition so for this jubilee MJR 2009 stages will host an exceptional line-up with greatest arcane arts from Lithuania and eleven European countries!

On MJR 2009 You will see many original collectives and artists of various origins and styles. During 3 days on 4 stages you will see more than 40 bands and projects, representing various independent and underground scenes, as well as contemporary folk and Heathen culture. Among musicians - 10 guest groups from abroad, including most famous alternative scene names and new, surprising discoveries.

Energetic pagan/gothic band INKUBUS SUKKUBUS from Great Britain with a charming vocalist Candia will be one of the headliners as well as Danish neo-folk history - OF THE WAND AND THE MOON with Kim Larsen. Dreamy world music melodies reminding Dead Can Dance will come from temperamental Bulgaria with IRFAN closing the fest Sunday afternoon.

Australians DANDELION WINE will travel the longest road to Zarasas island, because Lithuanians felt in love with this ethereal post-dreampop band since other alternative fest Kunigunda Lunaria last year. Another emotional duet ROMA AMOR will come from Italy and bring intimate folk-cabaret program full of sun and passion.

A very convivial and warm, professional folk-rock band VIRRE+ will come from Estonia with their vital rhythm'n'feeling melodies. Lithuanian neighbors Latvians will enrich the event with modern folk interpretations featuring TROKŠNU IELA and BAOBABS. One more Baltic neighbor will be a hot folk-metal band from Byelorussia - LITVINTROLL. Experimental music lovers should discover ambient/wave project BISCLAVERET from Poland.

And Lithuania will present the finest as well - exclussive premieres from Aistė Smilgevičiūtė & SKYLĖ, bagpipe and modern jazz group TYLOS LABANORO with most known Lithuanian folk singer Veronika Povilionienė and glorious return of singer Rasa Bubelytė. Also MJR stages will host DONIS and Rasa Serra, rockers BIX, metal legend KATEDRA, ambient masters WEJDAS and GIRNŲ GIESMĖS, neo-cabaret magic guild VILKDUJA and even Lithuanian National elite chorus LIEPAITĖS. Folk ensembles and electronic shamans will have their own music scenes.

Yet Mėnuo Juodaragis is much more than just music. A vast festival program unites exclusive solid lectures, tribal workshops, traditional rites, art exhibitions, various creative and ecologic actions, nice film selection, hikes, sports, folk dances and DJ parties. For the first time the match of national Lithuanian sports - ripka - will be shown!

MJR is always eager to explore interesting actions and themes. The main theme for XII fest is a very strong Baltic mythological symbol of a Horse and rider. And historical dedication goes to the Lithuanian Past behind 1000 years.

Visitors are also welcome to enjoy good beer, friendly atmosphere, pleasing meadows, groves, fires, wooded camping site and refreshing clear waters of Zarasas lake.
Hear the CALL of TRUE LITHUANIA!

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MJR 2009 TICKETS are ready to order. Presale price is 30 Eur (and on the festival ground it will be 35 Eur). You can reserve tickets by PayPal - just contact us for detailed information at <mjr@dangus.net>.

text and Photo "Mėnuo Juodaragis"

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