A Tribute to Catherine Jagiellon

In 2026, we mark the 500th anniversary of the birth of Catherine Jagiellon, daughter of the Grand Duke of Lithuania and Queen of Sweden. This Lithuanian woman of the Renaissance, born into the powerful Jagiellonian dynasty and later crowned queen, is considered one of the most prominent women from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania of her time. Her life inspired composer Laimis Vilkončius, laureate of the Government Prize for Culture and Arts, to create a new musical work.

There has recently been growing interest in Catherine Jagiellon’s character and historical role. She was the youngest daughter of Sigismund the Old and Bona Sforza, sister of Sigismund Augustus, Duchess of Finland and Queen of Sweden. Her son Sigismund Vasa founded the Vasa dynasty of rulers of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. The story of Catherine Jagiellon, also known as the “Queen of the Rose and the Stone,” and the themes of personal sacrifice and duty form the central narrative of L. Vilkončius’s latest oratorio, expressed symbolically in its title, “Nemo Nisi Mors” (English: “Nothing Except Death”). This inscription appears on Catherine Jagiellon’s tomb in Uppsala, Sweden.

Her story continues to inspire us to dare to be ourselves, find inner strength and calmly embrace change with confidence in our intuition, allowing it to lead us to new discoveries.

The oratorio’s libretto was written by Rimvydas Stankevičius, laureate of the National Prize for Culture and Arts. The work will be performed by the Lithuanian Symphonic Wind Orchestra and Kaunas State Choir, who do not often appear together on stage, alongside talented artists of the younger generation: opera soloist Modestas Sedlevičius and conductor Karolis Variakojis.

REGISTRATION CLOSED! A special opportunity—we invite you to attend this concert celebrating Lithuanian identity dressed in national costume! Admission is free for the first 50 registered audience members who wear national costume (registration is required by completing the registration form; registration runs until 16 November 2026).