Panevėžys raises city flag as 523rd birthday celebrations continue

Panevėžys raised its city flag in a ceremony outside the city municipality building on Saturday, marking the start of the main day of celebrations for the city’s 523rd birthday, LRT reported, citing a statement from the Panevėžys municipal administration.

The weekend programme has brought residents, visitors and delegations from the city’s foreign partner cities to the city centre, Senvagė and other locations. The celebrations will include a city parade, evening concerts and a fireworks and laser show at midnight.

Mayor Loreta Masiliūnienė said Panevėžys’s history was carried on by the people who live and create in the city.

“Panevėžys is all of us: our history, our responsibility and our pride,” Masiliūnienė said.

During the ceremony, soldiers from the King Mindaugas Hussar Battalion fired three volleys: for Lithuania, for Panevėžys’s founder, Duke Alexander, and for Panevėžys and its people.

Aurimas Urbonas, head of the XSector Panevėžys Lietkabelis fan community, also addressed the gathering on behalf of the 2025 Panevėžys residents of the year. He said the city’s people were united by their love for Panevėžys, their sense of community and their belief in its future.

The ceremony was hosted by actor Darius Petkevičius. The Panevėžys Musical Theatre’s Garsas wind orchestra and soloist Jonas Sakalauskas performed, while artists from the dance and creative group Erdvė also appeared.

This year’s theme, “Panevėžys. Like us,” presents the city through its people, their interests and experiences, including music, art, sport, technology, community initiatives and meetings.

Parade and concerts planned

The traditional city parade is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. Communities, companies, institutions, sports clubs, arts groups, non-governmental organisations, families and groups of friends will take part as it moves through Panevėžys.

After the parade, the mayor will address residents and visitors from the main stage in Laisvės Square. The evening programme will feature the Latvian group Dagamba, Lemon Joy and Kastytis Kerbedis. The Panevėžys basketball team Lietkabelis will also be presented.

At midnight, participants will gather at Senvagė for a fireworks and laser show marking the end of the birthday celebrations.

Saturday’s programme also includes cultural, youth, technology, sports and family activities across the city, including performances, concerts, exhibitions, educational events and sports activities. The birthday celebrations will continue on Sunday.