WHAT DOES HANSANOVA MEAN?
It is the spirit of the Northern European merchant guild "Hanza" that existed in the Middle Ages, which awakened music merchants from the only city in Lithuania that belonged to this network - Kaunas.
Over 17 years, HANSANOVA has toured the Baltic States, Finland, and the Netherlands, performing more than 150 concerts in castles, manor houses, and television projects. Medieval festivals and knight tournaments are now difficult to imagine without their lively and engaging performances.
Authentic instruments—cittern, bagpipes, nyckelharpa, baselharpa, and ancient percussion—turn into an unpredictable, elemental force in the hands of the band's musicians. This will be a musical ritual that transcends the boundaries of traditional folklore.
FOUNDED IN KAUNAS IN 2009
by rock guitarist Giedrius Balčiūnas (Mr. Jumbo) and Indrė Balčiūnienė, HANSANOVA is today one of the most prominent early music projects in Lithuania.
Their name combines the legacy of the legendary Hanseatic merchant league with the Latin word nova, meaning new. This accurately describes the band's creative vision: here, archaic European musical traditions meet contemporary energy.
Evolution and Lineup Transformations
Over more than a decade and a half, Hansanova’s lineup has naturally evolved, shaping the band's distinctive sound and visual identity:
The Troubadour & Pirate Era (2010–2020): With the addition of heavy metal musician Laurynas Baškys (Thundertale) and Asha Har, the band expanded its palette to include sea shanties and pirate-themed folk songs. Their visual identity shifted fluidly between medieval troubadours and boisterous sea nomads. During this expansive period, members like Rimantas Balčiūnas (wind instruments, joining in 2011), Artūras Juršė (drums), and bassists like Ramūnas Grybauskas brought depth to the ensemble's growing stage presence.
A Family-Oriented Rebirth (2020–Present): After navigating external challenges—including the COVID-19 pandemic—Hansanova returned firmly to its core roots. A defining element of the band's legacy is its multi-generational, family dynamic. Giedrius and Indrė’s daughter, Saulė Balčiūnaitė, alongside Julius Dosinas’s daughter, Julija Dosinaitė, stepped up to the stage as percussionists and drummers.
The Modern Sound (2023–Present): The arrival of talented violinist Urtė Šabūnaitė and close friend/bass guitarist Ugnius Aidas in 2023 completed the contemporary lineup, injecting fresh technical brilliance into the ensemble's rich acoustic tapestry.
THE LEGACY
A Journey Through Time, Music, and Family: Roots and Foundation (2009)
Founded in May 2009 in Kaunas, Lithuania, HANSANOVA began as a weekend acoustic project born from an unexpected creative collision. Rock guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Giedrius Balčiūnas (Mr. Jumbo) and percussionist Indrė Adomaitytė (later Balčiūnienė), alongside childhood friend and bass guitarist Julius Dosinas, decided to experiment outside the boundaries of rock music by merging medieval melodies, Lithuanian folk traditions, and Celtic sounds.
The band’s first major public milestone took place at the "Ancient Craft Days" in Trakai Island Castle. Clad in historical attire, the ensemble quickly captured the imagination of history enthusiasts and festival-goers alike, setting the foundation for a unique musical journey.
PAST MEMBERS
Today, with over 150 live performances across castles, manors, and international festivals in the Baltic states, Finland, and the Netherlands, Hansanova stands as a living bridge between past epochs and the modern listener—proving that ancient music, when played with passion, is timeless.
JULIUS DOSINAS
BASS GUITAR
2009-2011, 2020-2023
SAULIUS RIMAS
LUTE
2009
LAURYNAS BAŠKYS
VOCALS, LUTE
2010-2015
ASHA HAR
VOCALS, PERCUSSION
2010-2020
ARTŪRAS JURŠĖ
DRUMS
2010-2020
ROKAS BAŠKYS
VOCALS, LUTE
2011
RAMŪNAS GRYBAUSKAS
BASS GUITAR
2012-2016
JULIJA DOSINAITĖ
VOCALS, PERCUSSION
2020-2023
The Name: Bridging History and Innovation
The name "Hansanova" holds a deep conceptual meaning. The prefix "Hansa" honors the band's roots in Kaunas—Lithuania's only Hanseatic city and a historical member of the powerful medieval Hanseatic League commercial network. It symbolizes trade, cultural exchange, and a connection to old European heritage.
The suffix "nova" (Latin for "new") introduces a dynamic twist, subtly nodding to familiar rhythms and concepts like bossa nova and Casanova. It reflects the band’s core philosophy: trading ancient musical traditions with modern energy, innovation, and a charismatic, playful spirit.
Milestones, Records, and Media Recognition
Television & National Prominence: Hansanova became a beloved fixture on Lithuanian national television, lighting up screens with energetic performances on LRT’s Duokim garo, charity concerts like Radarom (2023), and appearances on the popular TV game show GalvOk.
Eurovision Success (2024): The band significantly expanded their cultural footprint by participating in the 2024 Lithuanian Eurovision national selection with the neo-medieval-inspired track "Dragons and Rainbows". Reaching the semi-finals and securing 6th place, they brought ancient Baltic storytelling to a massive contemporary audience.
Discography & Authentic Craftsmanship: Following the success of their limited-edition 2023 debut album, Tavernos Kronikos (recorded entirely in Giedrius' private studio), Hansanova pushed their raw, live aesthetic even further. Their 2025 album, "Po Sočių Pietų", was recorded using a traditional approach—with all band members performing together in a single live session to capture the unadulterated energy of their medieval gatherings.
“Initially, I had no plans to sing in this band—‘Hansanova’ was meant to be just a calm, acoustic project for a weekend break from my wild rock career, which I started together with my beloved partner and friends. I was thrilled when vocalist Laurynas Baškys, from the well-known Lithuanian metal band ‘Thundertale’, joined us a few years later. However, as circumstances unfolded, I eventually was forced to step up to the microphone. Singing unexpectedly took center stage, taking this medieval music journey in a completely different direction than I ever imagined.”
— Giedrius Balčiūnas-Jumbo
Spanning nearly two decades, HANSANOVA has undergone a remarkable evolution – transforming from a passionate medieval music project into one of the most dynamic fantasy folk acts in the region. The group’s musical maturity and artistic vision were highlighted on the main stage of "Kilkim Žaibu" – the largest Baltic culture and alternative music festival in the region. There, HANSANOVA unveiled their evolved, darker, and more emotionally charged program. Combining rare historical instruments, deeper thematic narratives, intricate musical arrangements, and raw stage energy, the band proved its power to not only ignite massive crowd celebrations but also immerse the audience in a spellbinding, dark-fantasy sonic ritual.
WE ARE IN THE PRESS
