Renowned for the tranquillity of its pine forests and the healing properties of its mineral springs, Druskininkai is about to give you another reason to visit. On 12 December, the Druskininkai Culture and Congress Centre will open its doors, marking a new chapter in the town’s cultural life. The opening celebrations will feature a spectacular concert, with three different programmes taking place across the Centre’s three halls. Audiences can look forward to a unique blend of symphonic music and performances by some of Lithuania’s best-known artists, offering something for everyone.

Druskininkai has long been associated with relaxation and the chance to recharge. Now, visitors will have even more to enjoy, with new spaces dedicated to music, theatre, cinema and events. The opening of the Culture and Congress Centre marks an important step in strengthening Druskininkai’s position as a cultural destination, where a stay can be enriched by concerts featuring favourite artists, theatre premieres, conferences and film screenings. The new event spaces will invite both local residents and visitors to enjoy a vibrant cultural scene.

“We realised long ago that Druskininkai, as a popular international resort, needed a modern cultural centre where world-renowned artists could perform. We worked tirelessly to make this vision a reality. I believe it will become a place that draws people in and offers them unforgettable experiences,” said Ričardas Malinauskas, Druskininkai’s long-serving former mayor. Together with the municipal team, he worked to secure funding for the project and championed a vision of the resort as a destination for outstanding cultural events.

“Druskininkai helps people slow down and reconnect with themselves. We want to bring even greater cultural diversity to the town. Our aim is to create a vibrant, welcoming cultural venue that both local residents and visitors to the resort will want to return to. We believe that a rich cultural programme will become a reason in its own right to visit Druskininkai, with culture becoming an integral part of the holiday experience,” says Paulius Baltrėnas, one of the directors of ‘Infrastruktūra LT’, the group of companies that operates the Centre.

Different musical programmes in different halls

On opening night, the new Centre will showcase its outstanding acoustics and versatility. With three halls hosting a diverse programme, music lovers can look forward to an evening spanning a range of genres. From the rich sound of a symphony orchestra and the voices of opera soloists to jazz, contemporary compositions and performances by leading artists from Lithuania’s music scene, the Druskininkai Culture and Congress Centre will bring an exceptional variety of musical experiences together under one roof.

“I see the opening event as an opportunity to reflect on the venue and what it means to open it up – not just as a physical space, but as a place for new ideas and experiences. Of course, one could look at it in simple terms: a new venue, its first audience and the curiosity that comes with it. Yet a cultural space invites us to think more deeply. How do we begin to tell this story, and why do our stories so often have an introduction? After all, nothing in music, dance or literature happens in a vacuum, does it? Each story finds its own setting and unfolds in its own way. And this new venue is far from an empty space – the prelude to its opening is already taking shape,” says Dalius Abaris, director of the opening event.

The spaces will be open for culture and events all year round

The new palace, a complex spanning more than 8,000 square metres, stands on a site with a rich cultural heritage. The former ‘Nemuno’ sanatorium club, which once stood here, was one of the most important centres of cultural and social life in Druskininkai. Its halls hosted concerts, theatre performances, film screenings and dance evenings, while its library served both local residents and holidaymakers. However, the sanatorium eventually closed its doors in 2007. As Druskininkai continued to grow, the need for a modern cultural venue that would remain vibrant throughout the year became increasingly apparent. This vision took a concrete step forward on 19 April 2019, when a time capsule was buried to mark the beginning of construction on the palace.

The new cultural centre will feature three auditoriums: a main auditorium with 1,175 seats, a smaller auditorium with 513 seats, and a 151-seat ‘Forum Cinemas’ cinema. Visitors will also be able to enjoy contemporary communal spaces and a rooftop terrace designed to accommodate intimate events. The venue was designed by ‘UP architektai’ in collaboration with ‘MAMA architects’, with particular attention paid to acoustics, audience comfort and a welcoming atmosphere.

The centre will be operated by UAB ‘Druskininkų rūmai’, the successful bidder, under a 20-year lease agreement. The company is part of the ‘Infrastruktūra LT’ group, which also operates Palanga Concert Hall and ‘Švyturys’ Arena in Klaipėda. The operator will invest more than one million euros in the infrastructure required to run the venue. Its responsibilities will also include the long-term maintenance and upgrading of the audio-visual systems, stage equipment and cinema technology.

The contract stipulates that at least 100 events, including concerts, performances and conferences, and at least 500 film screenings must be held each year. This level of activity will help ensure a varied cultural programme throughout the year, offer local residents a broader choice of cultural experiences and enrich the stays of visitors to the resort. The Palace aims to become a leading venue for culture and events, with a programme that appeals not only to audiences in Druskininkai but across Lithuania.

The opening concert on 12 December will offer an opportunity to experience this vision first-hand. In a town where visitors come in search of tranquillity, there will soon be even more room for inspiration — through music, cinema, theatre and shared experiences that linger long after the evening ends.

Tickets for the opening event at the Druskininkai Culture and Congress Centre will be available from next week at www.kakava.lt