Born in Kaunas in 2009, HANSANOVA was founded by rock guitarist Giedrius Balčiūnas (Mr. Jumbo) together with Indrė Balčiūnienė, and today stands as one of the most distinctive early music projects in Lithuania. The band’s name combines the legacy of the legendary Hanseatic merchants’ league with the Latin word nova – meaning “new.” It perfectly reflects their creative vision, where archaic European musical traditions meet contemporary energy.
Over 17 years, HANSANOVA has toured the Baltic countries, Finland, and the Netherlands, performing more than 150 concerts in castles, manor houses, and television projects. Medieval festivals and knight tournaments are now hard to imagine without their lively and engaging performances.
The band’s discography includes the albums Tavern Chronicles (2023) and After a Hearty Meal (2025), released in CD, LP, and cassette formats.
On the stage of the KILKIM ŽAIBU festival, HANSANOVA will present a special program – darker, deeper, and more emotionally charged. The sound of medieval music will merge with a heavier, atmospheric aesthetic: troubadour-style wild polkas will be enriched by shamanic riffs, Viking-inspired narrative, and strong musical dramaturgy.
Authentic instruments – zither, bagpipes, nyckelharpa, baselharpa, and ancient percussion – transform in the hands of the band’s musicians into an unpredictable, elemental force. This will be a musical ritual that goes beyond the boundaries of traditional folk.
Prepare for a journey to another time.
