Joniskis is in Latvia borderland and occupies 1152 km territory and it also has 78 km borderline with the same country. 33 percent of district inhabitants live in Joniskis town, which is the centre of the district. There are Latvian, Russian, Polish, Byelorussian, Ukrainian and Jew minority groups in our district. The district is divided into ten Townships. Joniskis is the agricultural region with one of the richest soil in Lithuania. There aren’t many natural lakes in our district. We have only one natural lake though there are 28 artificially formed ponds. Several rivers and watercourses flow in Joniskis area. A number of local public institutions and village communities have chosen river names Mūša, Sidabre, Vilkija, Audruve, Platone for their titles.

Joniskis district is situated in the historical Ziemgala territory. Almost every inhabitant while asked whether he is Zemaitis or Aukstaitis usually replies being Ziemgalis and it proves that local people are proud of their ethnical roots and cherish their past. Our ancestors were one of the Baltic- Ziemgaliai tribes. Since the 13th century they joined the still shaping Lithuania state as an independent political structure. As the part of historical Ziemgala was situated in Latvia, the obvious similarity between our district inhabitants to Southern Latvia people is felt just like the influence of its economy and ethnography.

Ziemgaliai castle Sidabre was mentioned in written records in 1289. This date is regarded the historical beginning of Joniskis. A parish, named Joniskis was founded here in 1522, during the spreading of Christianity. In the 17th century, Joniskis was the biggest town of Siauliai economy and famous for its markets, agricultural production, flax cultivation and tobacco.

In 1969, the centre of Joniskis town was announced an urban monument. Joniskis town has a clear radial plan of natural processes where all the town streets come to the town square. The square is unique because it is triangular. This kind of town plan is very rare in the country.

The Church of St. Virgin Heaven Guide is the symbol of Joniskis town and 479 years has passed since the predecessor church stood in the same place. The cross form structure of the present church as well as its huge statues and a correct tower of 65 metres delight the tourists. The tower enables to enjoy the wide panorama of the town.

There is unique two Synagogues complex in Joniskis. We take pride in exclusive wooden chapels, windmills, estates, Raktuve, Zvelgaitis and Sidabre mounds which still remind the past of our region. There is a monument to Vytautas, Lithuania Grand Duke erected in 1930 in Juodeikiai village (Gaizaiciai Township).

Zagare is a very original district town. The unique old part of the town, two churches and the mysterious legend about Barbora Zagariete draws everybody’s attention (besides we are glad that the process of acknowledging Barbora Zagariete as a saint has started). Zagare is also famous for its Naryskino Palace and Estate, the palace stud farm, the traditions of riding competitions and Zagare cherries known all over the country.

Joniskis habitants have the long-lived feast traditions. The traditional annual Joniskis Town Festival is held and since 2000 the Festival of Art has returned to the town. The old traditional Lithuanian festivals Jonines, Zoline and Uzgevenes are celebrated nowadays and occupy a certain position in the culture context. Joniskis district is proud of stylized commemoration of Saules battle victory in Jauniunai village, the historical place of the battle.  The two amateur theatres: children and youth theatre “Bendraamziai” and adult theatre are actively involved in cultural life. The adult theatre performs not only in district, country but also in theatre festivals abroad has gained Aukso Paukste award. The district is known for Zagare, Kriukai, Skaistgirys country theaters and art collectives. Basketball, table tennis and other sports traditions are rooted in our district as well. The junior wrestlers and “Ziemgala” basketball team are prominent in our district. The village communities actively run traditional culture and spots events.