Over the course of four years, "Malva's" birthdays have grown into a real celebration of community, where Lithuanian and Ukrainian people meet, where music brings them closer, and foreign stories become our own for at least one evening.

This year's birthday evening at the "Saulė" concert hall was exactly that - warm, lively and full of real emotions.

Even before the concert, the guests leisurely visited the exhibitions, stopping at the works of Ukrainian creators: photographs by Lyubové Yarmošenko, paintings by Lidija Kyrii and embroidery by Marjana Stasyšyn. Those gathered communicated, greeted, shared their impressions. It seemed that what brought many that night was not just the desire to listen to music, but also the desire to be together.

Ukrainian folk song ensemble "Lastyvočki" (conductor Olena Lastivka), singer and actress Olena Lastivka, baritone Igoris Danileiko and soloist Adrijana Balsytė performed on the stage together with the Šiauliai Wind Orchestra (conductor Gediminas Brūzga).

The hall was lively - people clapped, smiled, sang along and responded sensitively to the works and the performers' emotions. Each song received strong support from the audience.

Vladyslav Mozghovyi, the head of the "Mister Fox" theater studio, also created a special atmosphere. His warm communication, lively interjections and light humor are often accompanied by laughter and loud applause.

Children's collectives gave a lot of life to the evening: "Cvit Ukrainy", Šiauliai School of Arts contemporary dance collective "DANCE MIX" and theater studio "Mister Fox". The children's energy, sincerity and courage on stage strengthened the feeling that everyone in the hall is one big family.

We wholeheartedly thank the employees of the "Saulė" concert hall and cultural activities manager Erika Novikova for their care, warmth, openness and help in creating this evening.

A big thank you to the Šiauliai Wind Orchestra and especially to its artistic director Sigitus Vaičiulionis - thanks for the inspiration, friendly cooperation and trust. Thanks to you, the concert became not only an event, but also a real celebration of people's fellowship.

We thank all performers, partners, volunteers and spectators. After such evenings, the music still rings in the ears for a long time, and it warms the heart to know that people can be close even if they speak different languages.