In the educational hall of the regional museum of the Jonava cultural center, the most authentic celebration took place – the event dedicated to the year of Aukštaitia “I am an Aukshaitis!”.
During the celebration, the participants were invited to get to know the 18th-19th centuries better. Aukštaitija – its folklore, traditional way of life, national costume, culinary heritage.
A large group of representatives of various genres of folk culture participated in the celebration.
Enjoy the tunes of kankles and other instruments performed by J. Miščiaukaitė’s ensemble of national instruments (director: Eglė Merkelienė). The children’s folklore ensemble “Ramtatukai” (conductor Loreta Ratautienė) introduced children’s humorous folklore: mythical stories, folk songs, dances, songs.
Museum educator Rasa Kulytė-Libienė gave the opportunity to take a brief look at the everyday life of the ancient Highlanders and told about the appearance of various fabrics and the tradition of stacking the dowry of the young woman.
Ethnoculture specialist Jovita Rutkauskaitė continued the stories about traditions by introducing the features and the most beautiful details of men’s and women’s Highland costume.
Right away, after several youth songs performed by the youth folklore ensemble “Dobilia” (led by Inga Petrikonienė), we saw the process of tying the Highland tent, accompanied by folklore typical for bachelorette parties and weddings.
The folk songs sung by the folklore ensemble “Laduta” – the most valued and oldest intangible heritage of Aukštaitia – created a magical atmosphere of concentration and respect at the event. However, soon the hall was laughing after hearing the storyteller Mykolas Kručas’s fable about the devil and Miss Marija.
At the end of the festive evening, curiosity and appetite were aroused by Rasa’s talk about traditional Highland cuisine, the most popular meals and drinks.
The participants ended the evening with a joint song, feasting on home-made pear gira, jagarėliai, white cheese, donuts and other Aukshaita delicacies.
JKC info.
