Memories from MERYC EU Conference in Klaipéda, Lithuania, May 2025

Margareta Burrell writes:

Great Conference, great people, interesting presentations and seminars, new friends and widened horizons may best describe the few days in Kalipéda. We were all ready to reflect on the many aspects of ‘Musical Play for and by Children’, the theme of the Conference.

No doubt we would have to keep an open mind and be ready to absorb new and different ideas and approaches. Jessica Pitt started the challenge with a thoughtful, philosophical keynote about ‘the wild, extravagant world of musical play’, reminding us of the importance of letting play happen. For me it was a reminder about what depth and responsibility our work as music educator of young children demands.

Forming new friendships with Early Childhood practitioners and researchers from all around Europe is always a highlight for me:  the first new friend I made, I met on arrival at the airport! We worked out that we had a shared interest in improvisation; her presentation about her research in this area was one to remember!

Five of us from UK attended and shared many experiences. During many typical Lithuanian meals we exchanged our reflections on what we had just heard.  Coffee times were most welcome: diverse delicacies were served on mirrors and sprinkled with gold dust….

Ruta and her daughter Joné with their team of organisers knew how to create a wonderful atmosphere of a musical family. Several performances of Lithuanian folklore, involving hundreds of young children, staff and parents were happening across the week. Although our way of working here in the UK is not often focussed on performing with young children, we could only admire the amazing, accomplished singing, the precision in the dances, the spectacular costumes and ‘immaculate’ behaviour of the many children. The message of the importance of music in Lithuanian national identity was evident and strong! We could only guess how much hard work is needed preceding such occasions…! 

We were invited to visit Nurseries and Primary schools, some with astonishing facilities for music making. Teenagers entertained us with great musical skill in their traditional folklore costumes. At the social evening, we could all have a go ourselves at trying the dancing and local wine…

The trip at the end of the conference took us to the island over the lagoon from Klaipéda, where we looked over to Russian territory in Kaliningrad.

Kate Comberti writes: The unique setting of Klaipeda, with its lingering Russian educational heritage sitting next to Lithuanian and local culture, gave the conference a special atmosphere and added a political depth to our discussions that I really hadn’t anticipated. I find myself still reflecting on the conference months later, particularly with news as it is. Have you seen Mr Nobody meets Putin? It’s on iplayer. Watch it! The school setting was very similar to the Lithuanian nursery we visited. Travel truly broadens your perspectives!  

Sue Young says: I found this publicly available Youtube clip that gives you a sense of how the folklore tradition is celebrated in performances involving children. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUikBT5fz0s

Janey Maxwell’s memories:

I’d initially felt unsure, as this was my first international conference and I didn’t really know anyone, so it was outside my comfort zone. So pleased I took the plunge. Wonderful to meet in person the authors of papers I’d read and get to know them as individuals. It made me realise just how small a community the ECME world is. For me, getting together with other ECME people & feeling I’m not alone is very important. I really appreciate the friendships and connections made at the conference with those in Europe & further afield. 

All the seminars and workshops were thought-provoking. It was great to broaden my awareness of others’ area of interest, practice & research. I especially enjoyed the Vygotsky session and would have willingly heard more from the presenter (Milda Brédikyté).

My presentation about vocal health in ECME in England was well received, which was a great relief. I’m pleased it was programmed early in the conference as it meant there were numerous occasions through the rest of the week to discuss the subject further. These highlighted that vocal problems in ECME are an issue worldwide and highlight the necessity for greater focus on the vocal health and vocal training of EC practitioners.  

It was a wonderful trip.  It was a chance to get to know the English contingent, what a wonderful bunch! 

Kate Comberti reflects: I was deeply impacted and touched by the range of seminars, from personal research journeys, through to playful folk music sessions. 

Meeting Amanda Niland was a treat and frankly inspirational! Jessica Pitt and Susan Young are both extraordinary, offering sessions that were thought provoking, challenging, and profound. Still turning them over to be honest!

One of the biggest surprises for me was a particularly moving session on music learning theory, which touched me on a personal level and left lingering thoughts about how music interacts with emotional memories. I enjoyed connecting with fellow attendees—conversations flowed naturally, and I came away with new friendships and professional contacts that continue to enrich my work.