Nurturing and dissemination of the small Lithuanian tradition of instrumental music

The instrumental music tradition of Little Lithuania, cherished by the Klaipėda region, which is included in the compendium of intangible cultural heritage values ​​of Lithuania, will receive additional attention from the country’s residents. Cultivators of tradition, the Klaipėda Ethnoculture Center, together with 11 other representatives of intangible cultural heritage values, were selected to participate in continuous communication training, which is organized during the implementation of the project “Positive knowledge about cultural heritage”. They deepen the marketing and communication knowledge acquired during the first stage and develop practical skills.

According to the project concept, training participants will not only acquire the knowledge necessary for the dissemination of successfully nurtured traditions, but will also have a unique opportunity to make the represented intangible cultural heritage values ​​more widely public. Professional articles with photo reports will be prepared about each of them and video stories will be created and published on social networks.

The instrumental music tradition of Little Lithuania was revived in the 20th century. 8-9 right., after the historical musical instrument researcher and craftsman Antanas Butkas reconstructed the musical instruments of Little Lithuania: kankles-harp, psaltery, horn-trumpet, whistle, etc. Other masters followed in his footsteps, so soon folklore ensembles of Klaipėda city and district, Šilutė district, Neringa municipalities, and folklore collectives of other regions of Lithuania started playing with authentic musical instruments. Based on scientific research, written sources and ethnographic material, experimental ensembles recreate the music-making tradition of Lithuania Minor and develop it for more than three decades. Songs and evangelical hymns are accompanied by musical instruments, songs, dances, carol melodies are played from East Prussian German publications and 20th century. notes of expeditions in Klaipėda region.
The basis for the restoration and preservation of the music-making tradition, which has become a sign of the cultural continuity of the ethnographic region of Lithuania, is historical knowledge, the reconstruction of musical instruments, and various experiences and creativity of traditional music-making. Thanks to professional group leaders and musicians, original compositions are born, played together with classical, jazz, and electronic music performers.

The project “Positive knowledge about cultural heritage” is implemented by the Lithuanian National Martynas Mažvydas Library together with the Lithuanian National Cultural Center and financed by the Ministry of Culture.