On July 18–19, the breathtaking Kremerata Baltica festival returned to Paliesius Manor for its third year. And for all three times, the Order of Malta were the invited festival guests of honor. The two-day concerts welcomed over 90 volunteers and the individuals in their care. Groups from Eastern Lithuania gathered, traveling from Panevėžys, Kriaunos, Aukštadvaris, Švenčionėliai, Vilnius, Utena, Ukmergė, Ignalina, Kupiškis, and beyond. The friendship between Paliesius Manor and the Order of Malta has thrived for nearly 10 years—we are continually invited to unforgettable concerts, evenings, and educational gatherings.
A Partnership with Paliesius Manor
“In the beginning, upon receiving an invitation from the manor’s hosts, it was just us from Švenčionėliai who visited. Over time, the friendship grew, the connection deepened, and the entire Order of Malta was invited to the concerts. It is such a gift, as many older individuals or those facing health challenges simply cannot afford to come listen to world-renowned performers and delight in the wonderful atmosphere of the manor,” shared Aldona Garlienė, head of the Švenčionėliai Order of Malta, expressing her joy in the friendship and her gratitude to the hosts. “We are frequent guests at the manor; it is closest to us. We even brought our visiting Order of Malta colleagues from Germany here. The visit left an indelible impression on them.”
The opportunity to hear the most beautiful works performed by the finest artists is deeply cherished by the individuals with disabilities in the care of the Order of Malta. Here, every condition is met for those in wheelchairs to approach the performers as closely as possible, to linger in an authentic environment, and to experience the profound harmony of music and nature. “I feel such spiritual strength here, I see such talented people—the sheer goodness and the richness of the art simply transport you to the cosmos. It is a true celebration for us; today, our entire four-person ‘wheeled’ crew arrived and immersed ourselves in the music,” shares Galina from Vilnius, profoundly moved.
The Kremerata Baltica Festival: Exceptional Concerts and World-Renowned Soloists
Founded in 1997 by the celebrated Gidon Kremer, the Kremerata Baltica chamber orchestra, a Grammy Award-winning ensemble, is considered one of the most prominent international groups in Europe. This year’s festival program offered a multitude of talented performers and an extraordinary musical journey. Across three exclusive concerts, maestro Gidon Kremer himself took the stage alongside four renowned guest soloists from around the world: Canadian cellist Luka Coetzee, German pianist Julius Asal, Latvian cellist Magdalena Ceple, and Ukrainian Andrei Pushkarev, the principal percussionist of Kremerata Baltica.
Works by Robert Schumann, Dmitri Shostakovich, Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Giya Kancheli, and other composers filled the air.
A Word of Gratitude, or When Words Are No Longer Needed
The festival concerts have concluded, but the emotions they awakened lingered long after the Order of Malta guests departed. When spoken to, many found themselves at a loss for words to express what they felt. Perhaps words were not needed at all. Music united people of different generations, experiences, and destinies, allowing them to feel a profound sense of elevation, wonder, and authenticity. Art possesses an immense power to inspire, to ignite hearts, and to awaken a deep desire for life. Following the concert, one Order of Malta volunteer softly whispered: “I listened and just hoped I wouldn’t forget to breathe…”
On behalf of the entire Order of Malta community, we thank the hosts and the team at Paliesius Manor for their friendship, and for the invaluable opportunity to experience world-class, highest-caliber music. We are grateful for the warm hospitality, the rhubarb pastries fragrant with summer, the attentive care given to every single guest, and these exceptional cultural experiences.