Within the first four hours, the video received one hundred thousand views and more than 700 shares. The video “Shaped by Tradition”, published by “Go Vilnius”, attracted this level of attention on social media, featuring students from Vilnius University’s (VU) folk music ensemble “Jaunimėlis” performing Lithuanian folk dance.
The video places Lithuanian folk dance in an unexpected context, pairing it with American rapper Future’s track “Mask Off”. The contemporary soundtrack, traditional costumes, Vilnius locations and choreography performed by the students come together in a bold interpretation of Lithuanian culture.
The video was created by Azim Tukhtamuradov, with choreography by Gabrielė Kulienė, head of the “Jaunimėlis” dance group. The work draws on an audiovisual concept developed by Australian choreographer and director James Fenwick.
From Samoa to Lithuania: Traditional Dance Through the Language of Contemporary Media
The “Jaunimėlis” performance continued the “Born From Culture” trend that has spread around the world. It originated with a documentary series created for social media by Australian choreographer and director James Fenwick and creative studio “Level.6”, exploring the identities of different communities through traditional dance.
The first model for the upcoming series was a film about traditional Samoan dance, while the project gained international attention with a video filmed in Georgia. The official series was later expanded with a story about Māori culture in New Zealand. Fenwick’s format soon inspired independent creators in Armenia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan and other countries to present their own interpretations.
Each video showcases a different culture, while the works are connected by a recognisable audiovisual language and the same track by Future, “Mask Off”. The contemporary soundtrack serves as a connecting thread, while its contrast with traditional dance practices presents them as a living, evolving form of culture that remains relevant to people today.
The project’s creators emphasise that the stories feature not AI-generated imagery, but real people, authentic locations and real movement. In the Lithuanian interpretation of the concept, the country’s culture is represented by VU students and the folk dance tradition they carry on.
The Video’s Success Coincided with “Jaunimėlis” 55th Anniversary
The video attracted the attention of internet users during a special year for "Jaunimėlis" – in 2026, the ensemble celebrates its 55th anniversary. Founded at Vilnius University in 1971, the ensemble has brought together generations of students for more than half a century, fostering Lithuanian folk music, song and dance.
The ensemble is led by its long-time artistic director, folk music composer and arranger Bronislovas Glovickis, while the dance group is led by choreographer Gabrielė Kulienė.