Shifts in the Traditional Culture. Folksongs in the 21st Century City

A significant cultural shift in Vilnius's traditional urban culture, particularly in its folksong traditions, occurred during the 20th and early 21st centuries. The study identifies key periods of transformation—most notably in the 1960s and post-1990 after Lithuania regained independence—when radical changes reshaped musical expression, blending folk elements with modern styles like rock, jazz, and hip-hop. The research compares urban, social, and cultural shifts to pinpoint when new phenomena emerged, revealing how state-supported academic music and folklore evolved alongside global influences. Notably, the Lithuanian Folklore Theater exemplified this fusion, while post-Soviet exposure to Western culture led to a postmodern era of hybrid musical styles. Today, urban folklore thrives through diverse collaborations, from IT specialists to young underground artists, ensuring tradition persists without erasure.

Nakienė, A. (2015). Shifts in the Traditional Culture. Folksongs in the 21st Century City. Tautosakos Darbai, 49, 171–192. https://doi.org/10.51554/td.2015.29011