In May 2022, the Lithuanian community house at Hommersåk, Stavanger, Norway, hosted a very special workshop, led by artists Stuba, Skaidra Jančaitė, Živilė Muraškienė, and Kjell Braaten. From that meeting, a new EP, aptly named Serendipitous Meeting, was conceived, and you can listen to one of its tracks right now.
The theme of the workshop was the sutartinės (from the Lithuanian word “sutarti” – to be in concordance), a polyphonic music style from northeast Lithuania, traditionally performed by female singers. The songs feature simple melodies with a main text and a symbolic refrain. The lyrics cover themes like work, rituals, weddings, and daily life. Sutartinės are performed at solemn events, festivals, concerts, and social gatherings, fostering cultural identity and self-esteem. While women primarily sing sutartinės, men play instrumental versions on pan-pipes, horns, and wooden trumpets.
Following the workshop, the group extended their cross-cultural collaboration to Kjell’s residence on Osterøy Island. There, they set up a makeshift recording studio, using Kjell’s microphones, and captured a few songs in his living room to craft the EP, which will be released on September 27th, 2024, with the cover art for both the singles and the EP painted by Živilė Muraškienė.
The artists involved in the Serendipitous Meeting
Stuba (The House or Home)
Ten years ago, a group of local women founded Stuba to promote creativity and revive daily singing through UNESCO-listed polyphonic sutartinės, which require group performance. Through engaging workshops and performances, Stuba brings the joy and richness of sutartinės to Lithuanian communities.
Skaidra Jančaitė
Holding a Magistrate in solo singing, a Diploma as a choirmaster, and a Master’s degree as an artist, she has extensive experience as a singer, choirmaster, instrumentalist, and dancer. Her work spans opera, folk music, and modern experimental genres.
Kjell Braaten
An expert on ancient Scandinavian instruments and a solo artist, composer, and producer. He is best known for his work with the legendary Nordic Folk band Wardruna, his collaboration with composer Trevor Morris on the soundtrack for the Netflix series Vikings Valhalla, and his production of albums for various folk and tribal music artists.
Živilė Muraškienė
Zivile studied art at VDA KDF and specializes in painting and sculpture. She has developed a captivating personal style that draws viewers in with its expressive beauty.
