VU Students’ Dance Takes the Internet by Storm: Lithuania Joins a Global Cultural Trend

One hundred thousand views and more than 700 shares in just the first four hours – this was the remarkable response to 'Shaped by Tradition', a video published by 'Go Vilnius' 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'. A 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, director 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 in the Language of Contemporary Media 

The 'Jaunimėlis' performance continued the worldwide 'Born From Culture' trend. Its origins lie in a social-media documentary series created by James Fenwick and the creative studio Level.6, which explores the identities of different communities through traditional dance. 

A film about traditional Samoan dance served as the blueprint for the emerging series, while a production filmed in Georgia achieved an international breakthrough. 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 produce their own interpretations. 

Each video showcases a different culture, yet all are connected by a recognisable audiovisual language and the same song – Future’s 'Mask Off'. The contemporary soundtrack serves as a common thread, while its contrast with long-established dance traditions presents them as living, evolving forms of culture that remain relevant to people today. 

The project’s creators also emphasise that these stories are told not through AI-generated imagery, but through real people, authentic locations and genuine movement. In the Lithuanian interpretation of the concept, the country’s culture is represented by VU students and the folk-dance tradition they continue to foster. 

The Video’s Success Coincides with 'Jaunimėlis’s' 55th Anniversary 

The video attracted widespread online attention during a particularly meaningful year for 'Jaunimėlis': in 2026, the ensemble celebrates its 55th anniversary. Founded at Vilnius University in 1971, the group has brought together generations of students dedicated to Lithuanian folk music, song and dance for more than half a century. 

The ensemble is led by its long-standing artistic director, folk music composer and arranger Bronislovas Glovickis, while choreographer Gabrielė Kulienė directs its dance group. 

'Jaunimėlis' is one of 16 artistic ensembles and studios based at the VU Culture Centre. Together, they bring together more than 800 students and members of the university community who, alongside their studies and work, play music, sing, dance, perform and develop cultural projects in Lithuania and abroad. 

Click here to watch the video.