On December 20th, the festival "Nykštuko šėlsmas" will take place in Kėdainiai.

2023-12-02 01:00

On the tenth occasion, Kėdainiai will pulsate to the rhythm of Christmas football - the city will host the pre-school children's games "The Joy of Nykštukas 2023."

This year, the event is expected to gather 14 educational institutions and 140 children. The festival will take place on December 20 starting at 10 o'clock in the Kėdainiai city arena.

The organizers of this festival are Ina Gustienė, a teacher from Kėdainiai kindergarten "Žilvitis", Daiva Kasperiūnienė, a teacher from Kėdainiai kindergarten "Pasaka", and Audronė Jonavičienė, a teacher from the Vilainiai school-kindergarten "Obelėlė". The festival's partner is the Lithuanian mass football association.

One of the organizers, teacher Audronė Jonavičienė from the Vilainiai school-kindergarten "Obelėlė," shared in detail the history and mission of the "The Joy of Nykštukas" festival.

"Ten years ago, four educational institutions in Kėdainiai city and district - the school-kindergarten "Obelėlė", kindergartens "Pasaka", "Žilvitis", and "Aviliukas" participated in the project "Futboliukas". We noticed that children enjoy playing and doing sports from an early age, and they also learn new rules and agreements.

To keep this thread alive, four proactive educators - Jolanta Kasperavičienė, Daiva Kasperiūnienė, Audronė Jonavičienė, and Ina Gustienė - thought that the four kindergartens could meet at the Kėdainiai arena and have a celebration. We came up with the name ourselves, signed the regulations. The first event for children was dedicated to celebrating Football Day on December 10 and having a great time playing football.

After this event, the very proactive director Audra Pakštienė said, "Girls, a wonderful event, children are doing extremely well - make it bigger." In the following years, we invited all kindergartens in Kėdainiai city, then all kindergartens in Kėdainiai district, and later the event grew even more attracting the whole country. Now we also invite children from other cities - children often come to play from Panevėžys, Šeduva, and elsewhere.

Since this festival is intended only for pre-school age children, they are eagerly awaiting it. The children know very well that when December comes, they can come and play. This message spreads from mouth to mouth, children and parents are waiting for the event, while we continue to learn, improve, and come up with new relays and competitions. This year will be the 10th edition of our festival and it is expected to go well. 14 institutions will participate, and we have invited Santa Claus to come and play with us.

We also have sponsors who always contribute to this event and support us - the Kėdainiai district municipality, Kėdainiai city arena, football club "Nevėžis". This year, children will receive gifts and medals, as well as the traditional balloon rain. During the festival's finale, around 200 balloons will be released from the sky, so there will be many great impressions awaiting.