In the compendium of intangible cultural heritage – living and disappearing traditions, signs uniting communities and the nation

Traditions passed down from generation to generation are a treasure trove of especially valuable knowledge about the cultural diversity of the region, people’s creativity and worldview. It aims not only to ensure the multifaceted preservation of heritage, but also to spread the word about the unique cultural traditions and practices of their preservation in Lithuania.

With this recording, the compendium was supplemented by the capture of Amber on the coast of Lithuania, the tradition of the Plajimo theater in the Tautkaičiai region, the tradition of Lithuanian heraldry, the tradition of the use of the Yiddish dialect of Lithuanian Jews (Lithvaks) in Lithuania, the festival of šiupini in Lesser Lithuania, the village of Šukionii Mojaves (May service), traditional connection between man and forest in Lithuania, St. Indulgences of Mary Magdalene in Veivirženiai, the practice of reviving the tradition of plowing with horses in Lazdijai region and the revival of coffee drinking culture in Lesser Lithuania, and the Lithuanian bathhouse academy.

The tradition of catching amber on the coast of Lithuania reflects the understanding of the natural phenomena of the people of the region. Since ancient times, people have tried to extract amber in various ways – digging from the bottom of the lagoon, pulling it by diving, etc., but catching with purse seines or grabs has remained the main method. Amber mining was recorded in the 17th century. In Prussian documents, engravings. And now in Palanga, Nida, Karkle, and other areas there are families where several generations are engaged in amber making.

19th century help The tradition of folk acting – laying theater – that was born in the countryside of Lithuania is still a vibrant amateur theater phenomenon. One of the most prominent continuers and nurturers of this tradition is the Tautkaičiau Laying Theater “Gegnė”. The uniqueness of the folk theater tradition is the community of families and relatives, where acting skills, experience, and culture of communication are passed down from generation to generation. “Gegnė” performances are works by various Lithuanian authors, plays adapted to the rural specifics of the theater. Old songs, music, dances, games, oral folklore are woven into the performances.

The Lithuanian heraldic tradition is a system of rules for the creation and use of coats of arms distinguishing the state, localities, individuals, institutions, and corporations. It dates back to the 14th century, when the heraldic seals of Lithuanian rulers, princes and nobles appeared, specific Lithuanian linear heraldic signs, and the state heraldry of the lands was formed. Heraldic practice is currently experiencing a renaissance. Existing and newly created coats of arms, heraldic signs perform a communicative function – they give meaning and show the history, status, cherished traditions of the state, institutions, families, clans, communities, and perpetuate the memory of important events.

The Yiddish Lithuanian dialect, along with its main spreaders – the Ashkenazi Jews who emigrated from Western and Central Europe – established itself around the 15th century. almost throughout the territory of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Litvish is a dialect of non-Hebrew Jewish languages ​​in the Jewish diaspora around the world, which is extremely rich in terms of vocabulary and grammatical forms and is culturally influential. Preservation of the disappearing dialect, with the help of various community promotion, pedagogical and cultural education, academic and memorial measures, helps to nurture the identity of the Jewish diaspora, strengthen social ties, and contributes to the welfare of society.

In the written sources of Lithuania Minor from the 18th century. the mentioned šiupiny is a ceremonial meal of archaic origin, cooked from peas, groats, potatoes, adding a pig’s head, legs, and tail. With a German name schuppnis it was common as an easily prepared and hearty traveler’s meal in East Prussian inns. After 1990 The association of Lithuanians “Mažoji Lietuva” revived the Šiupini festival in Klaipėda. Traditionally, it takes place every year in various towns of Klaipėda, Šilutė, Priekulė, etc. in communities, evangelical Lutheran parishes. Members of communities and parishioners of various ages gather to spend time together, chat, sing praises to God, make music, sing, plan joint activities.

Mojaves – daily services in May at St. In honor of the Virgin Mary. This is a communal tradition that spread in Lithuania in 1898. Priest Antanas Baranauskas unified liturgy of the service, its course, prescribed hymns are sung. More than 115 years in Šukionys, the only settlement in Biržai district waving at home is supported and these days practiced exclusively by the villagers themselves. The tradition of May services strengthens the sense of community of the inhabitants of the Šukionias region, provides emotional well-being, gathers the inhabitants for various social initiatives – organized by taluks, transporting people with difficulty moving, printing hymns.

St. The indulgences of Mary Magdalene in Veiviržėnai have been celebrated since 1785 according to the rites of the Roman Catholic Church and local traditions. The residents of the town remember the long-standing traditions of their families and relatives and organize a liturgical church celebration for the next Sunday, July 22. The culmination of the Holy Mass is a solemn procession through the streets of the town of Veivirženiai, which brings together believers of all ages, from children to the elderly. After the church celebrations, the faithful gather at the historic rectory building, where a festive program takes place – a jomark, a concert, and other cultural activities.

The connection between man and the forest stems from the worldview, knowledge, skills and activities of the individual, community and the entire nation. This phenomenon of Lithuanian natural culture is closely related to living in forested areas and the cultivation of some traditional crafts. Today, rural and urban communities, associations, institutions, organizations and individuals take care of forest conservation. Through education, training, and creativity, they contribute to the knowledge and protection of the surrounding environment, public awareness, and the development of a sustainable lifestyle.

In the Lazdija region, the tradition of plowing with horses, which has deep roots, has already disappeared in many parts of Lithuania, is being successfully revived. In some families, skills, technology, tricks are passed down from generation to generation, and ancient customs are followed – the first furrow in the fields is plowed after Jurginii when the weather warms up and the Thunder falls, hoping for a good harvest, by eating a few daisies or a slice of bread as a sacrifice to the earth. A field plowed with a horse and plow is sown with rye, a loaf of bread is given to the initiator of the taluk at the dinner table, and the oldest and youngest plowmen are honored with oak wreaths. Autumn plowing taluks strengthen the community, develop respect for work, people and the tradition itself.

The culture of coffee drinking is a family and community tradition characteristic of the region of Lithuania Minor, related to the customs of making, preparing and consuming this traditional drink of Lithuanians. Lithuanians started drinking coffee (kafia in dialect) that came to this region from Germany in the 18th century. on the other side. A meeting of family, relatives, friends over a cup of coffee is called palanage (meal between lunch and dinner, evening meal). Coffee is prepared from purchased coffee beans or local raw materials (oak acorns, carrots, chicory, barley, wheat or rye). These days, serving coffee during cultural events and community gatherings has become a beautiful tradition. The tradition continues from 2019. Coffee Day is being held.

The tradition of visiting baths, which has been widespread throughout the territory of Lithuania since ancient times, was on the verge of extinction at the beginning of independence. Its recovery and spread was determined by the Lithuanian Bath Academy’s 20 years ago, which started organizing courses for bathers and other various social initiatives of traditional bath enthusiasts. The role of the sauna operator has changed and grown – now he is not only a sauna heater or supervisor, but also a sauna equipment preparer, a performer of traditional sauna procedures, taking care of the safety of sauna participants, sharing his knowledge and involving new people in this activity.

The newly added phenomena to the Compendium of Intangible Cultural Heritage values ​​will be presented on March 28. at a festive event in Vilnius Town Hall.

The manager of the compendium is the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania, the administrator is the Lithuanian National Cultural Center, which is assisted by a commission of competent experts in the field of traditional culture, a network of specialists, cultural, scientific and study institutions, non-governmental organizations, communities of custodians and individuals. Of course, everyone is invited to contribute to the process of preserving intangible cultural heritage and creating a compendium and to submit valuable applications every year in autumn.

Inf. of the Lithuanian National Cultural Center.