On 30 May, Vilnius residents celebrated Neighbours’ Day hosted on the last Friday of May every year and inviting people to gather, socialise and sit around a shared feasting table. This year, 18 spaces in the city turned into cosy community courtyards, with plenty of food, music, and entertainment. The event was organised by “Vilnius – European Green Capital 2025” in partnership with communities and municipalities.

“Neighbours’ Day is a great opportunity to get closer to the people who live next door and to create an environment where everyone feels safe, welcomed and heard. After all, community often starts with a simple greeting and can eventually grow into sustainable, city-changing initiatives, such as community gardens, things’ swaps or workshops,” Jurga Pociūtė-Mikūtienė, project manager of “Vilnius – European Green Capital 2025”, says.

The Neighbours’ Day celebration was packed with activities for participants of all ages, from children to seniors. Courtyards were decorated by soap bubbles, filled with live music, dances, and chess competitions. Little ones enjoyed animators, decorated cookies and posed for snapshots. The programme was unique in each location – this helped reveal the community’s distinctiveness and create the exceptional ambience.

An equally important part of the celebration was the potluck dinner with residents sharing their homemade dishes, recipes, and stories. The shared table became not only a place for feasting, but also a symbolic invitation to get to know each other and build community spirit through sincere, everyday interaction.