The festival “In the middle of the waters” invited to come to the delta of Nemunas river
The region that is famous for variety of birds, delicious fish and water attractions invited to get to know about the uniqueness of area and the entertainment offered by the locals on the 16-17th of May, 2015. A cheerful weekend with family or friends in the unique place of nature gave many unforgettable experiences. There was no fee for the main program.
Birds, fishes and astonishing waters
In the town of Šilutė, where the main point of the festival was located, at 1p.m.- 6 p.m. there was a traditional workshops, market of the farmer’s production and some other entertainments. Visitors were welcomed by the locals with the traditional coffee drink. Everyone had a possibility to try handicraft of blacksmithing, ceramics, wood carving, wool felting and was able to make souvenirs out of wild plants. A famous nature photographer Marius Čepulis introduced people to the secrets of bird watching and photography. At 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. there bird watching trips were organized. In the afternoon, ornithologists tought people how to recognize the birds living in the urban environment and in the evening everyone was invited to come to Nemunas’ delta to watch the birds in the wild nature. Seeking to avoid the disturbance of the birds and to give the best experience to the visitors, excursions were organized in small groups (10-15 people). Registration to the excursions was required. In the main celebration point exposition of Saulius Stankevičius photography depicting marine birds was set.
Special activities for children
The smallest participants of the fest were invited to the lessons of flying, to experience the rejoicing of the fisherman, to take the challenges of the vegetable growers and even that of the swamp people.
Presentation of the new sightseeing trial
A new sightseeing trial of Tulkiaragė was presented to the public during the festival. 
Walking on the trial people could get the knowledge about the local history that was shaped by the locals together with the influence of water. „Visitors are invited to look around the precious area, to observe the birds and other animals living there. Additionally, everyone is invited also to think about the connection between nature and humans, what is the impact of this perception to our lifestyle and attitude to environment“– says Rita Norvaišaitė, an author of the path, the communication specialist of Baltic Environmental Forum. She also added: „ This path is a symbolic acknowledgement to the farmers who lead their activities in environmentally-friendly way despite the difficulties they face”.
The largest Aquatic warbler in the world
The largest Aquatic warbler in the world - globally endangered species - is depicted on one of the main walls of the revived pumping station. The building now will serve as the bird watching tower and the nature school. During the festival people had a possibility to try both- the sightseeing trial and to enter the building where the documentary movie about Aquatic warbler was shown.
Special entertainment and offers from the locals
The main program started on Saturday at 1 p.m. but the guests were welcomed already from Friday evening by the local tourism operators. „We offered single services (such as sauna, boats, dinner, fishing and trips around the region) and also grouped services prepared with the theme like „Anei žvyno, anei uodegos!“, „Parbėg laivelis“, „Pažink Mingės kraštą“, „Rusnės salos paslaptys“, – said the tourism operator Monika Dobrovolskytė. More about special offers: www.upaite.lt/festivalis.
In the nighttime – exclusive program in the museum
Šilutės’ museum have not let the guests to go home so easily. They invited to attend the special night program „Rytų Prūsijos dvaras vakar ir šiandien“ (“The manor of Eastern Prussia yesterday and today) that was arranged in H. Šojus manor. The ones enjoying the night came to the theatrical concert „Karališkų žingsnių aidas“ (“Echo of the royal steps”). Performers: actress Virginija Kochanskytė, singers Giedrė Zeicaitė, Artūras Kozlovskis, pianist Vaiva Purlytė.
Festival contributed to the welfare of the locals and the environment
Festival was a part of the project „Creation of mechanisms to secure good quality of open habitats in Nemunas delta regional park“. Project is partly financed by the EEA and Norway grants. Project is aiming to create the optimal conditions for grassland maintenance involving local people.
„We aim to involve as many local people as possible in the project of habitat restoration and maintenance. That is feasible not only through the direct activities like shrub, reed removal or haying but also by indirect practices such as traditional arts, food preparation, tourism– said representatives from the organization that initiated the festival, Baltic Environmental Forum. NGO believes that locals will accept the responsibility of birds’ habitat protection and maintenance only if they see the direct benefit as an incentive.
„Project implementation gives conditions for economically based measures for flooded plains protection. Local farmers will be able to use high capacity agro machines that were purchased during the implementation of project for grassland maintenance (especially for the late haying). This equipment will allow small scale farmers to conduct haying and biomass removal easily in the late season. Together with economic community relations this will help to maintain more than 790 ha grasslands and protect globally endangered strictly preserved bird species, Aquatic warbler”– says director of Baltic Environmental Forum Žymantas Morkvėnas.
Festival program in Lithuanian
