Santaika senior folk dance group
Narpulis
The Santaika folk dance group "Narpulis" was founded in September 2003.
The newly formed group consisted of four pairs of dancers, and later a group of six pairs. In 2005 a full group of 8 couples (16 people) was formed. The members meet 2 times a week for rehearsals.
Leader Rasa Navakauskiene, organiser of cultural events of Simnas department, choreographer of the group Rasa Janeliūnienė, choreographer of the Culture Centre
"Narpulis boasts a remarkable record of achievements, built up over 17 years of activity:
- In 2006 it took part in the international folklore festival "Dzūkų godos", and was invited to the "Dzūkijos žvaigždždės" festival at the Alytus Sports Palace;
- In 2007 performed in Punsk (Poland), Lithuanian Song Festival "Būties ratu" in Vilnius, republican dance festival "Šokių pynė – 2007";
- In 2008 participated in the jubilee concert of Apolonia Zizirskiene and in the Marcinkoniai Cultural Centre in Varėna district;
- In 2010, the group performed excellently at the polka competition of the folklore festival "Subata vakarėly" in the Simnas Cultural Centre;
- 2011 - at the regional family festival "Graži mūsų šeimynėlė" in Alovė, performed at the Adventure Park "Tarzanija";
- 2012 - two performances for foreign delegations in Kumečiai and Punia;
- In 2013, participated in the anniversary concert of Laimutis Purvinis in Alytus KKC and Lithuanian humour festival "Juokis" in Marijampolė Culture Centre (the event was filmed by the national TV channel);
- 2014 - "Narpulis" participant of the Lithuanian Song Festival "Čia mano namai";
- In the summer of 2017, together with the Alytus Youth Centre's collective "Tarškutis" participated in a folklore festival in Southern France;
- In 2018 - in the Lithuanian 100th anniversary song festival "In the Name of the One" in Vilnius;
- 8-18 July 2019, together with the Alytus Youth Centre's collective "Tarškutis" went to the international folklore festival in Montecatini, Italy;
- In 2021 participated in the artistic composition "Švento Jono naktį" in Simnas, Dzūkija region dance festival "Susukim suktinį" in Veisiejai, Lazdijai region.
In 2013, Narpulis held an anniversary concert and celebrated its 10th anniversary.
The ensemble participates in the State (Coronation of King Mindaugas of Lithuania) Day celebrations in Daugai, as well as other events in Alytus district. Every year it is a guest at the Alytus City Dzūkai Festival day and the city's birthday celebrations.
The group is warmly welcomed at almost every event in its hometown of Santaika, and also willingly attends the festivities of the Krokialaukis eldership. The whole beautiful Alytus district has been toured, concerts have been held in almost all cultural houses and communities.
