THE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC-MAKING TRADITION OF LITHUANIA MINOR IS INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL COMPENDIUM OF INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE

Today (May 15) a certificate was presented to the Klaipėda Ethnocultural Center in the Vilnius Town Hall, testifying to the inclusion of this value in the Compendium of Intangible Cultural Heritage..It is symbolic that the value was included in the national compendium in the year of Klaipėda region. Adding a value to this inventory is an important step in preserving and recognizing the value of cultural heritage and promoting its preservation in the future.

The Klaipėda folklore ensembles “Vorusnė”, “Vorusnėlė” started playing with authentic musical instruments, regional ensembles “Alka”, “Alkiukai”, “Kuršių ainiai”, “Kuršiukai”, “Giedružė”, “Verdainė”, “Ramytė” and others are still playing. . Based on scientific research, written sources and ethnographic material, the ensembles recreate the musical tradition of the ethnographic region of Lithuania Minor and develop it for almost four decades. This tradition is characterized by a combination of knowledge, various experiences of traditional music making and creativity, which is shaped by the professionalism of the leaders of the folklore groups, the composition of the ensembles and practical needs. This tradition is important for the music-making community and society as a sign of cultural continuity of the ethnographic region of Lithuania Minor.

Names of musical instruments, drawings, descriptions of their use in customs and religious rites appeared in written sources in the 16th and 17th centuries. Prussian Lithuanians played kankles, trumpets, bugles, drums, whistles, violins, and tambourines. Many musical instruments were made by themselves, some were bought. From the 18th century cymbals, zithers, psalteries became more common, later mandolins, brass and other woodwinds, etc. became common. During weddings, christenings, and feasts, Prussian Lithuanians played song melodies, dances, and accompanied religious hymns, but there are no chants in this instrumental music. The revival of this tradition began in the 20th century. in the second half, when in 1984 the musical instrument master from Klaipėda, Antanas Butkus, based on written sources, reconstructed the kankles-harp, trumpet, drum and other musical instruments used in the region of Lithuania Minor. In his footsteps, instrument masters followed in his footsteps: Alfredas Lučinskas, Alvydas Šeduikis, Egidijus Virbašius, Skalmantas Barkauskas.

Klaipėda City was represented by Lina Šukytė-Korsakė, Vice Mayor of Klaipėda City Municipality, Dr. Lina Petrošienė? Dr. Algytė Merkelienė, representatives of Klaipėda Ethnoculture Center and instrumental groups of its folklore ensembles.

The information is prepared

Klaipėda ethnocultural center of the city municipality