Folklor muzyczny jako unikatowy zasób turystyki kulturowej - przypadek Litwy

In recent years, tourists have become increasingly interested in folk music. During their travels they look for authentic products which reflect the uniqueness of the region as well as the authenticity of its cultural heritage. This, in turn, promotes the development of music and festival-driven tourism. Besides, the development of the aforementioned types of tourism contributes to the popularity of rural and less visited areas. Lithuania has preserved a rich folk music heritage. Special funds store songs of different periods and on subject matters which were collected from all Lithuania. In addition, archaeologists have recon- structed the texts of many archaic songs. The article mainly focuses on two kinds of folk music, namely, songs and glees (an unaccompanied part song for three or more voices). Tourists can get acquainted with this type of heritage in different regional feasts and festivals. This article covers 273 events: their nature (folk festival, folk feast, calendar holiday, educational event), place and extent (city or town, district, region, national, international), links to domestic and inbound tourism. Special attention was paid to two events which advocate neo-folklore, namely, “Mėnuo Juodaragis” and “Kilkim žaibu”. All these analysed events, however, mostly take place during traditionally high season times and in remote places of Lithuania. These factors aggravate the opportunity for tourists, especially foreign tourists, to familiarise with these exclusive cultural tourism products in a closer manner.