Panevėžys, the capital of Aukštaitija Ethnographic Region, has been the fifth largest city in Lithuania for more than a century. It occupies 50 square kilometers with 100 000 thousand inhabitants, the majority of whom (96 per cent) are Lithuanians. The rest are Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Byelorussian, Jewish people.
Panevėžys is situated in the middle of Lithuania; it is halfway between two Baltic capitals – Vilnius and Riga. The city lies in a good geographical position which plays a major role in communication with other Lithuanian cities and the city of Kaliningrad(Russia). The Via Baltica highway runs through the city and connects it to many Scandinavian and West European countries.
Panevėžys is a member of the Union of the Baltic Cities. It has 12 partner towns abroad: Lünen (Germany), Goes (the Netherlands), Kalmar (Sweden), Lublin (Poland), Kolding (Denmark), Mytishi and Kaliningrad (Russia), Gabrovo(Bulgaria), Rakvere (Estonia), Daugavpils (Latvia), Vinnytsia (Ukraine) and Maramures County (Romania). Friendly contacts have been established with Chengdu (China), Ivano- Frankivsk ( the Ukraine), Szarvas (Hungary), Ramla (Israel), Ozurgeti (Georgia), Lecce (Italy) and Ferizaj (Kosovo).
Panevėžys lies on the banks of the river Nevėžis, the sixth longest river in Lithuania. The river gave its name to the city itself. Senvagė (the Old River Bed ) is considered the symbol of Panevėžys and is a famous place for leisure time and festivals.
It boasts of Laisvės Square where modern ideas intertwine with old ones, Respublikos Street famous for its art galleries.
Panevėžys has a reputation for being a clean , cosy and green city. At the same time it is an important industrial spot. Over 30 000 people work in the companies of Panevėžys. The production made in these companies makes 70% of the value of all city gross domestic product. Currently the city hosts major Lithuanian companies: Joint Stock Company Linas Agro, Construction Company STATYBOS TRESTAS, Road Construction Company PANEVĖŽIO KELIAI, Company ROQUETTE AMILINA, Energy Company PANEVĖŽIO ENERGIJA. Every year direct foreign investments into the companies of Panevėžys increase. Norwegian Industrial park, the only in Lithuania is functioning in Panevėžys. The Municipality of Panevėžys provides favourable conditions for starting businessmen and for huge investors.
Some people think of Panevėžys as the city of Juozas Miltinis Drama Theatre, some – as the city of the world famous International Ceramic Symposia; others – as the capital of cycling and Ultra Triathlon where world champions Diana Žiliūtė, Edita Pučinskaitė, Simona Krupeckaitė and Vidmantas Urbonas were brought up.
Panevėžys artist, such a photographer Algimantas Aleksandravičius make their city known in the world. The city is also famous as the home of the Chamber Orchestra , the Folk Dance Group Grandinelė and young pianists.
The Grand Duke of Lithuania and the King of Poland Alexander laid down the foundation stone in the history of Panevėžys that celebrated its 500th anniversary in 2003.
On September 7th, 1503 the Grand Duke donated the land between the rivers Lėvuo and Nevėžis on the condition that a church was built.
The old church has not survived and its descendant St. Peter and Paul’s Church has changed its place and has been rebuilt for several times.
Each age has left emphatic and unique traces in the chronicle of the city.
In the XVI th century Panevėžys was famous for agriculture, crafts and pubs. By the old Panevėžys, on the left bank of the river Nevėžis the new Panevėžys appeared. It soon outdid the Old Town.
The brick building – the Archives of the Court was built in Panevėžys in the XVII-XVIII th century. The oldest building of the city remained.
In the XVIII th century the Pior Monks opened the first secondary school in the city.
In the XIXth century the city expanded 16 times. The change of industry, the growth of trade and the development of education system were obvious.
In the beginning of the XIXth century Panevėžys became a strong regional economical and cultural centre. These positions remain until now.
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anevėžys is the centre of culture, education and art. It has hosted such famous people as Juozas Miltinis, Vaclovas Blėdis, Mykolas and Gediminas Karkos, Kazys Naruševičius, Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bitė, Juozas Balčikonis, Juozas Masiulis, Juozas Zikaras, Julijonas Lindė-Dobilas, Elena Mezginaitė. The city is well known for the Drama Theatre established by a legendary Theatre Director Juozas Miltinis. The name of Donatas Banionis is an inseparable part of this theatre.
Many famous poets, musicians, actors, artists, sculptors, photoartists work here and create. They are Elvyra Pažemeckaitė, Juozas Lebednykas, Andrius Kviliūnas, Albinas Kėleris, Asta Preidytė, Marija Šileikaitė-Čičirkienė, Evaldas Ivanauskas, Remigijus Kriukas, etc.
International Ceramics and Stone Sculpture Symposiums, winters of literature, festivals of chamber and puppet theatres, championships of brass orchestras, photography exhibitions, a travelling Puppet Wagon Theatre the Director of which (Antanas Markuckis) is awarded the Prize of H. K. Andersen make the city famous. The city boasts the old Cinema Theatre of Aukštaitija Ethnographic Region GARSAS. It is the member of a prestigious network of Cinema Theatres EUROPA CINEMAS.
A vivid element of city culture policy is a special attention to professional music. Panevėžys City Municipality is the only one in Lithuania to establish a Music Theatre.
The people of Panevėžys have good voices and are good soloists. The city is represented by the Folk Dance Groups GRANDINĖLĖ and PYNIMĖLIS at national and international folk art festivals.
Panevėžys is always open to new cultural ideas and challenges. Everyone who creates is welcome here!
