Language/Lithuanian/Culture/Celebrations-and-Holidays

Lithuanian → Culture → 0 to A1 Course → Celebrations and Holidays

Welcome to this exciting lesson on Lithuanian culture, where we will explore the vibrant celebrations and holidays that are an integral part of the Lithuanian way of life. Understanding these traditions will not only enrich your language skills but also give you a deeper appreciation for the values and history that shape Lithuania today.

Holidays in Lithuania are celebrated with passion, often steeped in centuries-old customs and beliefs. They reflect the spirit of the people, their connection to nature, and their rich cultural heritage. By learning about these celebrations, you'll gain insights into the Lithuanian language, as many phrases and vocabulary words are closely tied to these events.

In this lesson, we will:

• Discuss the significance of various holidays and celebrations in Lithuania.

• Introduce key vocabulary related to these events.

• Provide examples to illustrate the cultural context.

• Engage you with exercises to practice what you've learned.

Major Lithuanian Holidays

Lithuania is home to numerous holidays that range from ancient pagan traditions to modern-day festivities. Here are some of the most significant holidays celebrated in Lithuania.

New Year’s Day (Naujieji Metai)

New Year’s Day is celebrated on January 1st and marks the beginning of the new year. It is a time for family gatherings, feasting, and making resolutions for the year ahead.

Lithuanian	Pronunciation	English
Naujieji Metai	[naʊˈjɪːjɪ ˈmɛtɑɪ]	New Year’s Day
Laimingų Naujųjų Metų	[ˈlaɪmɪŋɡu nɑʊˈjuːjɪ ˈmɛtʊ]	Happy New Year
Kūčių vakarienė	[ˈkuːtʲuː ˈvakariɛnɛ]	Christmas Eve Dinner
Šampanas	[ʃɐmˈpɑnɐs]	Champagne

Easter (Velykos)

Easter is one of the most important Christian holidays in Lithuania, celebrated in spring. Traditions include dyeing eggs, attending church services, and feasting with family.

Lithuanian	Pronunciation	English
Velykos	[ˈvɛlɪkɔs]	Easter
Margučiai	[mɐrˈɡuːtʃiː]	Easter Eggs
Šv. Velykų sekmadienis	[ʃvɛ. ˈvɛlɪkʊ sɪkˈmɑːdʲɛnɪs]	Easter Sunday
Velykų pusryčiai	[ˈvɛlɪkʊ ˈpusrʲit͡ʃɛɪ]	Easter Breakfast

Midsummer (Joninės)

Joninės, or Midsummer, is celebrated around the summer solstice in June. It is a joyful occasion marked by bonfires, singing, and dancing.

Lithuanian	Pronunciation	English
Joninės	[jɔˈnʲinɛs]	Midsummer
Rasos	[ˈrɑsɔs]	Summer Solstice
Ugnies šventė	[uɡˈnʲɛs ˈʃvʲɛntɛ]	Fire Festival
Žolynai	[ʒɔˈlʲinɐɪ]	Herbs

Independence Day (Kovo 11-oji)

Celebrated on March 11th, this day commemorates Lithuania's declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1990. It is a day of national pride, parades, and public celebrations.

Lithuanian	Pronunciation	English
Kovo 11-oji	[ˈkɔvɔ 11 ˈɔjɪ]	Independence Day
Nepriklausomybė	[nɛprʲɪkˈlɑʊ̯sɔmʲbʲɛ]	Independence
Šventinis renginys	[ˈʃvʲɛntɪnɪs ˈrɛŋɡɪnɪs]	Celebration Event
Lietuvos vėliava	[lʲɛtʲɪˈvɔs ˈvɛlʲɪvɐ]	Lithuanian Flag

Christmas (Kalėdos)

Christmas is celebrated on December 25th and is a time for family, traditions, and festivities. The night before Christmas, families gather for Kūčios, a traditional dinner featuring twelve dishes.

Lithuanian	Pronunciation	English
Kalėdos	[kɐˈlʲɛdɔs]	Christmas
Kūčios	[ˈkuːtʲɔs]	Christmas Eve
Kalėdų senelis	[kɐˈlʲɛdʊ ˈsɛnɛlʲɪs]	Santa Claus
Advento vainikas	[ˈadvɛntu ˈvai̯nɪkɐs]	Advent Wreath

Other Notable Holidays

In addition to the major holidays, Lithuania also observes several other significant days that reflect its cultural diversity and traditions.

International Women’s Day (Kovo 8-oji)

Celebrated on March 8th, this day honors women and their contributions to society.

Lithuanian	Pronunciation	English
Kovo 8-oji	[ˈkɔvɔ 8 ˈɔjɪ]	International Women’s Day
Moters diena	[ˈmɔtɛrs ˈdʲɛnɐ]	Women’s Day
Gėlių dovanos	[ˈɡʲɛlʲu ˈdɔvɐnɔs]	Flower Gifts
Pagarba moterims	[pɐˈɡɐrbɐ mɔtɛrɪms]	Respect for Women

All Saints’ Day (Visų Šventųjų Dieną)

Observed on November 1st, this day is dedicated to honoring all saints and remembering the deceased.

Lithuanian	Pronunciation	English
Visų Šventųjų Dieną	[ˈvɪsʊ ˈʃvʲɛntuːjɪ dʲɛnɐ]	All Saints’ Day
Mirusių atminimas	[ˈmɪrʊsʲʊˈjɪ ˈɐtminɪmɐs]	Remembrance of the Dead
Žvakės	[ˈʒvɑkʲɛs]	Candles
Kapinės	[ˈkɑpʲinɛs]	Cemeteries

Laisvės diena (Freedom Day)

This holiday celebrates the restoration of Lithuania's independence in 1918, observed on February 16th.

Lithuanian	Pronunciation	English
Laisvės diena	[ˈlaɪsʲvʲɛs ˈdʲɛnɐ]	Freedom Day
Nepriklausomybės atkūrimas	[nɛprʲɪkˈlɑʊ̯sɔmʲbʲɛs ɐtˈkuːrɪmɐs]	Restoration of Independence
Tautinė vėliava	[ˈtɑutʲinɛ ˈvɛlʲɪvɐ]	National Flag
Šventinis koncertas	[ˈʃvʲɛntɪnɪs kɔnˈtʲɛrtɐs]	Celebration Concert

Mother’s Day (Motinos diena)

Celebrated on the first Sunday of May, this day honors mothers with gifts, flowers, and special treats.

Lithuanian	Pronunciation	English
Motinos diena	[ˈmɔtɪnɔs ˈdʲɛnɐ]	Mother’s Day
Gėlės	[ˈɡʲɛlʲɛs]	Flowers
Dovanos	[ˈdɔvɐnɔs]	Gifts
Šventiniai pietūs	[ˈʃvʲɛntɪnɪ ˈpʲeɪtʊs]	Celebration Lunch

Teacher’s Day (Mokytojo diena)

Celebrated on October 5th, this day recognizes the hard work and dedication of teachers.

Lithuanian	Pronunciation	English
Mokytojo diena	[mɔˈkʲɪtɔjɔ ˈdʲɛnɐ]	Teacher’s Day
Ačiū mokytojams	[ˈaʧʊ mɔˈkʲɪtɔjams]	Thank You, Teachers
Dovanos mokytojams	[ˈdɔvɐnɔs mɔkʲɪˈtɔjams]	Gifts for Teachers
Šventinis renginys	[ˈʃvʲɛntɪnɪs ˈrɛŋɡɪnɪs]	Celebration Event

Vocabulary Related to Celebrations

Now that we've gone through the major holidays, let's look at some essential vocabulary that will help you describe and engage in conversations about these celebrations.

Lithuanian	Pronunciation	English
Šventė	[ʃvʲɛnˈtʲɛ]	Celebration
Tradicija	[trɐˈdʲɪtʲɪt͡ʃɪɐ]	Tradition
Šventiniai patiekalai	[ʃvʲɛntɪˈnɪjɐɪ pɐtʲɛkɐˈlɑɪ]	Festive Dishes
Džiaugsmas	[ʒjɑʊ̯kʲsmɑs]	Joy
Draugai	[drɐʊ̯ɡɑɪ]	Friends
Šeima	[ʃɛˈmɑ]	Family
Dovana	[dɔˈvɑnɐ]	Gift
Linksmas	[ˈlʲɪŋksmɑs]	Joyful

Exercises

Now that we’ve explored the rich tapestry of Lithuanian holidays and their corresponding vocabulary, let’s put your knowledge to the test with some exercises!

Exercise 1: Match the Holiday with its Date

Match the holiday with the correct date.

1. Christmas

2. Independence Day

3. Easter

4. New Year’s Day

5. Midsummer

Holiday	Date
Christmas	December 25
Independence Day	March 11
Easter	Varies (Spring)
New Year’s Day	January 1
Midsummer	June 24

Answers:

1 - Christmas: December 25

2 - Independence Day: March 11

3 - Easter: Varies (Spring)

4 - New Year’s Day: January 1

5 - Midsummer: June 24

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences using the vocabulary provided.

1. On ________ (Kalėdos), families gather for a special dinner.

2. We celebrate ________ (Velykos) with dyed eggs and family.

3. ________ (Naujieji Metai) is a time for resolutions and celebrations.

4. Midsummer involves lighting ________ (ugnies).

5. On ________ (Kovo 11-oji), we celebrate our independence.

Answers:

1. Kalėdos

2. Velykos

3. Naujieji Metai

4. ugnias

5. Kovo 11-oji

Exercise 3: True or False

Determine if the following statements are true or false.

1. Velykos is celebrated in December.

2. Midsummer is celebrated in June.

3. Kovo 8-oji honors men.

4. Kalėdos is about family and traditions.

5. All Saints’ Day is on November 1st.

Answers:

1. False

2. True

3. False

4. True

5. True

Exercise 4: Vocabulary Quiz

Translate the following words into Lithuanian.

1. Celebration

2. Gift

3. Joy

4. Tradition

5. Family

Answers:

1. Šventė

2. Dovana

3. Džiaugsmas

4. Tradicija

5. Šeima

Exercise 5: Group Discussion

In small groups, discuss your favorite holiday and how you celebrate it. Use the vocabulary from the lesson.

Guidelines:

• Share why this holiday is special to you.

• Discuss any unique traditions you have.

• Use as many new words from the lesson as possible.

Exercise 6: Create a Holiday Card

Design a holiday card for one of the celebrations mentioned in this lesson. Include a greeting in Lithuanian and illustrations that reflect the holiday theme.

Example Greeting:

"Linksmų Kalėdų!" (Merry Christmas!)

Exercise 7: Role Play

Pair up and role-play a conversation between two friends discussing their plans for an upcoming holiday. Use vocabulary related to the holiday.

Guidelines:

• Include greetings.

• Talk about food, activities, and traditions.

Exercise 8: Research Project

Choose a holiday not mentioned in this lesson and research its significance in Lithuanian culture. Prepare a short presentation for the class.

Exercise 9: Crossword Puzzle

Create a crossword puzzle using vocabulary from this lesson.

Example Clue:

"Celebration of Independence" (Answer: Kovo 11-oji)

Exercise 10: Write a Short Essay

Write a short essay (100-150 words) about your favorite Lithuanian holiday using vocabulary from the lesson.

Guidelines:

• Explain what the holiday is about.

• Describe how you celebrate it.

Congratulations on completing this lesson about celebrations and holidays in Lithuanian culture! You now have a better understanding of the important holidays and the vocabulary associated with them. Keep practicing, and soon you'll feel more confident discussing these vibrant celebrations in Lithuanian!

Table of Contents - Lithuanian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Lithuanian

• Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Basic Sentence Structure

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Common Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Noun Gender and Declension
• Personal Pronouns

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-100
• Telling Time

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

  ---

Food and Dining

• Common Foods
• Dining Out

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Describing People and Things
• Comparatives and Superlatives

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Asking for Directions

  ---

Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Common Prepositions
• Connecting Ideas

  ---

Shopping and Services

• Shopping Vocabulary
• Banking and Postal Services

  ---

Lithuanian Traditions and Customs

• Holidays and Celebrations
• Traditional Cuisine

Sources

• Lithuanian Holidays: Official and Observed Annual Holidays - The ...

Other Lessons

• Lithuanian Literature
• Cuisine
• Geographic Features and Landmarks
• Music and Dance
• Festivals and Celebrations
• Transportation and Travel Phrases
• Lithuania Timeline
• Outdoor Activities
• Lithuanian Sports
• Greetings and Customs in Formal Situations