Anton Shoom
Luxury today is not about buying into a lifestyle with a purchase, it’s about unplugging, prioritizing leisure time, and human creativity which feels on the verge of disappearing for many of us in this digital age. We need to start dreaming more about what’s the next step for our broken system. In my search for more, I heard about the Yaga Gathering. It is not new, but their values and vision are starting to look more and more radical today as we have become the wired generation. I caught up with one of the original founders, Anton Shoom, to learn more about the gathering and what we can expect this July!
Karolina L
You are Lithuanian-born. How and perhaps where did you find your interest in the art and music world, and what inspired you to find the Yaga Gathering?
Art and music have always been in my life. The emergence of the “Yaga gathering” was inspired by the “Ragana” (witch in English) festival, which took place in 2001. At that time, such an event was quite a novelty – an event where you had to speak English was very unusual in Lithuania. In 2003, we already organized the gathering ourselves, although at that time it was called “Shambala” and was intended for a very small community. Later, we changed the name to “Yaga Gathering”.
Yaga means witch, but in Sanskrit, Yaga means sacrifice. Do you think the gathering is a bit of both? How witchy are you?
When we named our celebration “Yaga Gathering”, we thought about the meaning in Sanskrit. For us, it means not only sacrifice but more of giving away old things so that new ones can emerge. It’s a kind of rebirth. By the way, Yaga the witch, is one of the most archaic fairy tale creatures, which stands with one foot in the world of the living and the other in the unknown. She is independent, a rule-breaker, and a powerful force of nature. So, it’s also about us!
Emilis Garla
Tell us about a transformative experience you have had. Why is positive change so important today?
We live in change every moment of our lives. The essence of the “Yaga gathering” is to remind us of this natural transformation, accept ourselves as we are, and discover the best version of ourselves. “Yaga gathering” is also evolving – since the first events, the community has grown dozens of times.
Great festivals are about the vibe, people, and location. What makes Yaga Gathering stand out and what makes it uniquely different from other boutique festivals?
We have it all! “Yaga Gathering” is an experience – here you can not only rave all night but do it with a huge group of like-minded people. You can participate in various ceremonies and feasts. And everything is carefully selected and made with love. You can feel, that the forests of Lithuania, the Spengla River, and the valley are truly magical. And nature will share its magic with the community. This untouched corner of nature recharges its energy throughout the year and gives all of it to us. Surrounded by forests, you can find everything you need for body and soul. The river is not only a source of life but also a source of inner transformation and peace. And in the evenings, the valley drowned in mist and the sounds of music, allows you to free yourself from the boundaries of everyday life. Here, art, music, and nature come together and invite us to create. However, the most important component of a “Yaga Gathering” is the community – people who are open-minded, free, and seeking.
Yaga Gathering has been described as “Hedonistic at night and wholesome by day”, how do you find the right balance for festival goers?
We are diverse, we have different interests. So we organize the program so that everyone who comes can find an interesting activity and experience something new. The most important thing is balance and openness to new things, and our people are like that.
Andrius Budrikas
The gathering offers a blend of electronic music, art installations, and gourmet experiences. Can you tell us a bit more as to what we can expect and what you are excited about?
This year’s theme is “Off the map,” so we invite all participants to trust their senses, explore boundaries, and not be afraid to step beyond them. “Yaga Gathering” has four music stages. The main Valley stage hosts the biggest rave. Meanwhile, the Pinegroove stage is the opposite – it is designed for relaxation, a quiet hangout. The Duskwood stage is dedicated to the sounds of trance music, and the LRT opus stage will invite you to daytime fun. Each stage has its curator, who carefully selects and invites performers. This year’s event will feature mysterious fog and light installations connecting the different stages, and participants will enter a fog reserve to search for artworks, objects, and directions. During the day, we will invite you to discover yourself and your community in four different activity spaces, where you’ll find various modern rituals. The experience is what matters.
Yaga Gathering has collaborated with Michelin star chefs and Cannagustation to see how CBD, CBG, and CBC in food react with the mind. How do you choose the subjects and themes for this summer edition?
Who established the rule that Michelin can only be in the city center, and in the forests you can only eat food cooked over a campfire? At “Yaga Gathering”, such rules do not exist, and here you can find a wide variety of cuisines – from handmade vegan dishes to a Michelin restaurant. We like to surprise and experiment.
How do you deal with the expectations that come with being a small but word-of-mouth festival in the hype-driven twenty-first century?
We do what we like and what drives us. And we share it with everyone who is open and wants new experiences. We know many people who have been coming to us for many years – they come back with families and children, and in this way, our community is also expanding. This year, the Yaga Gathering is 22 years old, so a whole new generation has grown up since the first gatherings.
How important is it to you to also create an inclusive and safe space for the LGBTQ+ community?
We are open to different worldviews, orientations, and lifestyles – each one is unique and important. We are all united by a desire to learn, tolerance, and a broad horizon; everything else is irrelevant.
What tips would you give someone joining the gathering for the first time?
Be open to new experiences and be yourself.
And finally, what should we pack, especially as we don’t know what weather to expect?
Pack your good mood, everything that you think you may need for camping. Midsummer is a warm time in Lithuania, but just in case, bring warm clothes for the night. We look forward to seeing everyone on July 10-14 in the forests of Lithuania.
