Palanga marks State Day with unity march, flag parade and national anthem

Palanga’s residents and visitors celebrated Lithuania’s State Day with a series of events, beginning with a Unity March and concluding with concerts, a ceremonial parade, and a collective singing of the national anthem by the sea, LRT reports.

On Monday evening, crowds gathered in Jūratė and Kastytis Square for a concert featuring Merūnas Vitulskis, Jūratė Šeduikytė, Martynas Kavaliauskas, and Justinas Lapatinskas. The highlight of the day was a grand parade carrying a 250-metre-long Lithuanian flag from the Kurhaus to the square, where thousands joined in singing the national anthem, Tautiška giesmė. The flag returned to Palanga after a two-year absence, brought by the Gargždai community group Bendrai during the World Lithuanian Sports Games.

Despite initial concerns over rain, the weather improved, allowing visitors to enjoy walks and cycling along the coast. The sea remained warm, though swimming was restricted due to high waves. The resort, which holds the title of European City of Sport this year, also hosted the Unity March with routes of 5, 10, and 18 kilometres through scenic coastal trails and forests. Over 2,000 participants registered for the free event, though about a third changed their plans.