From the very first moments of its creation, the autumn harvest art festival “Baroque Autumn” has attracted huge attention. The festival opens to visitors tomorrow, October 3, at Pakruojis Manor. Here, the autumn harvest becomes material for creativity – more than 80 tons of locally grown vegetables and fruits are turned into giant baroque ornaments, while the manor’s grounds fill with a vibrant baroque fair.
Baroque or “beetroot” Festival?
Pakruojis Manor has created a true Baroque autumn world. Pumpkins, cabbages, potatoes, beets, corn, apples, and other autumn produce are arranged into massive compositions, inspired by Baroque aesthetics. Some of these works stretch for dozens of meters and look like huge colorful carpets from afar. However, as you get closer, you see a different view – it’s astonishing how thousands of fruits and vegetables merge into seamless ornaments, patterns, and shapes.
Festival creators invite you not only to photograph these works but also to view them up close. Notice the details and see how produce grown in Lithuania can become impressive works of art.
Importantly, the autumn goods used in the festival’s art won’t go to waste. Any food that is still good after the event will go to food aid organizations. The manor will give some to its animals. Additionally, in cooperation with local hunters, some of the harvest will reach regional forests as feed for wild animals.
Baroque fair – the social network of the past
This year, the festival’s creators invite you to see the autumn event not only as an art festival. One of its main ideas is to bring back the feeling of real, lively meetings and conversations that historic city and manor fairs once created.
“Today, much of our communication happens on screens, but back then, the fair was a kind of social network. People learned news, saw new things, met friends, bought exotic goods, bargained, chatted, and simply enjoyed the time. We want to revive this feeling of energy – when so much is happening around, but the most important thing is people and their meetings,” says festival director Jūratė Širvytė.
Therefore, the Pakruojis Manor baroque fair is designed as a living experience – you don’t just come to watch, you become part of it.
“We invite you to step away from everyday life and come to a place where unique experiences happen – see autumn’s beauty, hear music and the fair’s buzz, smell autumn aromas, and maybe meet someone you haven’t seen in a long time. We want visitors not only to see the baroque world, but to be part of it,” say the festival organizers.
In the “Autumn Rulers” contest – live creation of harvest artworks.
One of the highlights of the festival’s opening day is the “Autumn Rulers” contest. During the event, teams unleash their creativity and craft autumn rugs on the theme “Autumn Feast Table” using fruits, vegetables, and other colorful natural materials. In fact, organizers expect 15 teams from across Lithuania to participate.
Each composition tells its own story, so visitors can hear directly from the creators and watch the process live.
Baroque buzz and autumn activities for the whole family
“Baroque Autumn” is a weekend plan full of experiences for the whole family. Especially welcome are children, who can decorate pumpkins, join games and autumn competitions, and visit the manor farm animals – horses, a donkey, calves, sheep, goats, geese, chickens, turkeys, and more. Kids can pet and feed the animals with autumn treats.
“Baroque Autumn” at Pakruojis Manor begins October 3 and welcomes visitors every weekend throughout October.
More information and tickets
You’ll find more details about the festival on the Pakruojis Manor website.
You can already buy tickets online at a lower price.
