“Experiencing Catharsis” is a five-part podcast series about the journey of the Lithuanian alternative rock band “Katarsis” which represented Lithuania in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2025. The series’ creator, Adomas Šimkus, a radio journalist and news presenter at the Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT) who enjoys techno and drum'n'bass more than the Eurovision. While openly skeptical about the whole idea of producing this series, he explores this uniquely bizarre song contest with an open heart and intellectual curiosity – a contest that somehow draws hundreds of thousands of Lithuanians to their TV screens every year. In “Experiencing Catharsis”, light-hearted humor, sarcasm, and satire blend with engaging narrative style, interviews, field-recorded scenes, and even elements of radio drama. The series also reveals the Gen Z-style personality of the band “Katarsis”, the (in)compatibility of alternative music with the Eurovision format, and the Lithuanian public’s subtle tendency toward Eurovision fanaticism.

The series was produced, mixed and published during the 69th Eurovision Song Contest season. It is a first-ever attempt at youth-oriented narrative docuseries by the radio station LRT OPUS, Lithuania’s alternative music channel. Originally aimed at the youth demographic, it attracted a wider radio listenership beyond the typical LRT OPUS audience.

In episode 1, “The Introduction”, we snoop around the “Katarsis‘” studio and try to find out whether the band members ever laugh.

In episode 2, “Tavo akys”, we explore “Katarsis'” Eurovision song “Tavo akys”.

In episode 3, “Family Gathering”, we analyse how Eurovision is similar to a family gathering and wonder if perhaps it is time for Lithuania to stop taking part in this song contest.

In episode 4, “Debut”, we get to know Eurovision fans and celebrate “Katarsis‘” debut on the big stage.

In episode 5, “ Post Scriptum”, we break down the Eurovision final and finally find out who the mysterious character Lordis really is.

Author, director, dramaturg and recordist: Adomas Šimkus

Sound designer and mixer: Pijus Juška

Consultant: Vaida Pilibaitytė

Eurovision consultant: Justas Buivydas

Commissioning editor and producer: Evelina Kazakevičiūtė

Communication coordinator: Indraja Vaitkūnaitė

Visual designer: Aleksandras Kucenka

English subtites: Laurynas Milašauskas

Nominated for the PRIX EUROPA 2025

This is a series compilation for the international competition screening.