Darius Mileris-Nojus, the captain of the Alytus “Žaliasis” choir, has responded to his team’s elimination from the competition “Didysis chorų mūšis” with a brief but poignant message that has resonated with supporters across Lithuania. Following the high-stakes semi-final, the musician took to social media to express his feelings about the journey and the outcome.
In a post shared on Facebook, Mileris-Nojus wrote only two words: „Kartotau visciek“. Written in the regional Dzūkija dialect, the phrase translates to “I would do it all over again,” signaling a sense of pride and lack of regret despite the team’s failure to secure a spot in the final competition for the top prize.
The Narrow Margin of Elimination
The departure of the Alytus “Žaliasis” choir came after a grueling semi-final round where three competing ensembles fought for the final remaining slots. The tension was amplified by a scoring system that combined the evaluations of the “generals”—project leaders Inga Jankauskaitė and Vytautas Lukocius, supported by performer Giedrė Kilčiauskienė—with a massive surge of public voting.
For four months, the Alytus team had been praised for their sincerity, intricate choreography, and emotive performances. However, when the final tallies were calculated, the gap between the top contenders was razor-thin. The “generals” awarded the most points to the Kaunas “Rubininis” choir, followed closely by Alytus.
| Choir | City | Points Earned |
|---|---|---|
| Rubininis | Kaunas | 116 |
| Žaliasis | Alytus | 113 |
| Purpurinis | Panevėžys | 112 |
While the Alytus choir held a slight lead over the Panevėžys “Purpurinis” choir in the judges’ scores, the ultimate decision rested on the public’s response. In a record-breaking turn of events for the project, the audience’s engagement reached fresh heights, fundamentally altering the trajectory of the competition.
A Record-Breaking Public Vote
The public vote proved to be the deciding factor in who would advance. The Kaunas “Rubininis” choir, led by Martynas Kavaliauskas, dominated the popular vote, securing more than 49,000 sympathy votes. This surge not only cemented their place in the final but set a new viewership record for the “Didysis chorų mūšis” project.
Meanwhile, the Panevėžys “Purpurinis” choir, captained by Justas Pečeliūnas, managed to secure their place in the final through a combination of the “Golden Point” (Auksinis taškas) and a strong showing of public support. Despite their consistent quality and the narrow point difference in the judges’ category, the Alytus “Žaliasis” choir fell just short of the necessary viewer support to move forward as a primary contender.
The emotional weight of this loss is underscored by the commitment of the Alytus performers, who had spent months refining their art to represent their city on a national stage. The apply of the Dzūkija dialect in Mileris-Nojus’s social media post serves as a cultural nod to the roots of the choir and a statement of resilience in the face of a narrow defeat.
What Happens Next for the Eliminated Choirs?
Though the Alytus “Žaliasis” choir will not be competing for the first-place title, their journey in the project is not entirely over. According to the competition rules, the choirs that were eliminated during the semi-final stage will still appear in the grand finale. They will perform alongside the other project participants in a celebratory capacity, allowing them to showcase their talent one last time before the winner is crowned.
For Mileris-Nojus and his team, this final appearance serves as a closing chapter to a season defined by artistic growth and community engagement. The “I would do it all over again” sentiment suggests that for the performers, the value of the experience outweighed the disappointment of the result.
The project continues to draw significant attention to the choral arts in Lithuania, highlighting the regional pride associated with cities like Kaunas, Panevėžys, and Alytus. As the competition moves toward its conclusion, the focus shifts to the final showdown between the surviving ensembles, while the eliminated groups transition into a role of supporting the musical celebration.
The final performance schedule and the announcement of the overall winner are the next confirmed milestones for the project. Supporters can follow official updates through the project’s broadcasting partner and social media channels to see the Alytus choir’s final appearance.
We invite you to share your thoughts on the competition and the Alytus choir’s journey in the comments below.
