The "Būtent!" festival took place in Biršton: thousands of participants discussed issues relevant to society

The event in Vytautas Park attracted more than 5,000 people. participants. Those gathered here participated in the most relevant discussions together with Lithuanian and foreign experts, politicians, economists, opinion makers, representatives of non-governmental organizations and other fields.

Business card of the resort

As many as 55 debates awaited festival participants in ten different spaces on Saturday, where 250 speakers discussed the most important topics for society and the state. As Arnas Marcinkus, one of the organizers of the festival, notes, "Būtent!" attracts more and more new wives every year and keeps long-time friends and participants. In addition, there are a growing number of organizations that aim to provide the best content and, through discussions, to help hear different opinions on the most important topics. "Everyone who cares about which country we live in gathers here," asserts A. Marcinkus.

On her part, Birštonas municipality administration director Jovita Tirvienė does not hide her joy that the discussion festival that unites the society has been held in this city for the first time. "The event and Birštonas are pleasing in their synergy - the debate festival "Būtent!" has already become one of the resort's calling cards," notes J. Tirvienė.

Unique festival atmosphere

On Saturday, its participants did not hide their admiration for the festival, coming from various Lithuanian cities to discuss or listen to different opinions. As the woman from Vilnius, who is participating in the debate festival for the first year, said, the event was full of not only different debates, but also other types of activities, which really did not let you get bored. Everyone who cares about the country we live in gathers here.

"I didn't even think that there would be so many activities and classes here, not just discussions on various topics. There is even a separate area for pets," said the resident of Vilnius, adding that she was most impressed by the interview with Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonyte.

The attendees emphasized that the unique atmosphere of the festival and the opportunity to meet many familiar faces are fascinating. The participants also emphasized that the ideas heard during the discussions can be discussed with strangers standing nearby, which creates a great overall mood of the festival.

"I have been to a similar festival in Latvia," said the Vilnius native, who has been coming to "Būtent!" for the fourth year. - In Latvia it is maybe twice as big, but here it is more interesting. People gather here who are very interesting to listen to, and the topics that are most relevant at the moment are touched upon."

In addition, the participants singled out the convenient layout of the festival taking place in Vytautas Park. "I like the layout of the spaces itself. You can hear very well in the tents, and the spaces are laid out wide enough, there are many of them. There are signs and stands at each discussion tent, said a Kaunian who came to the festival for the first time. "I will come back next year."

Notable speakers and hot topics of discussion

At this year's festival, the debates were prepared by organizations from various sectors: from travel agencies to embassies and non-governmental organizations. Participants were invited to listen or engage in discussions about gender equality, raising children, artificial intelligence, innovation, future food, emotional health, media literacy, geopolitics and economics, Soviet memory, current affairs in the field of education and many other important topics.

During the festival discussions, it was possible to hear the speeches of economist Nerijaus Mačiulis, Speaker of the Seimas Viktorijas Čmilytė-Nielsen, European Commissioner Virginijas Sinkevičius, citizenship educator Lukas Lesauskaitė, blogger Skirmantas Malinauskas, photographer and opinion maker Neringa Rekašiūtė, psychiatrist Eugenijus Laurinaitis, video blogger Paul De Miko, music producer Lauro Lučiūnas. , journalist Ugnė Siparė and many other well-known experts in Lithuania, the insights of the most important topics for society. Those gathered had the opportunity to listen to a special interview with Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonyta, and famous speakers from Finland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden also visited the festival. After listening to and participating in discussions on various topics since the morning, the participants danced and sang in the evening at the concerts of Monika Linkytė and LRT OPUS, which crowned the festival.

More information about the discussion festival "Būtent!" can be found here.