Lithuania's School Song Celebration, the largest since regaining independence, commences in Vilnius on Friday with over 24,000 participants, including choirs, dance troupes, and orchestras from across the nation. This decennial, four-day event opens with a procession and culminates on Sunday, Statehood Day, with a concert at Vingio Park. New crowd management and expanded security measures are in place, including a 30,000-spectator cap for the free, but registration-required, closing concert. The program features debut events like a brass band day and accordion concert, and the closing performance will open with a moment of silence and sign language, emphasizing inclusivity and safety after recent national air raid alerts.