Language/Lithuanian/Culture/Holidays-and-Celebrations

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

As a Lithuanian language teacher with over 20 years of experience, I've learned that understanding a country's culture is just as important as learning its language. In this lesson, we'll delve into some of the unique holidays and celebrations that are an integral part of Lithuanian culture.

Major Holidays in Lithuania

Lithuania has a rich history of pagan and Christian traditions, and many of these have been incorporated into major holidays celebrated throughout the country. Here are some of the most important ones:

Easter - Velykos

Easter, or Velykos, is a major celebration in Lithuania that marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox.

On Holy Saturday, many Lithuanian families participate in "mieganciosios" or "stebuklingojo puodo" (sleepover or the magic pot). During this tradition, families get together and make egg-shaped cakes, and then attend a midnight mass on Saturday where they bless the cakes, and take them home to break them at a shared Easter breakfast on Sunday. Another tradition is to make Easter palms or "verbos", woven from dried flowers, that are used to decorate the breakfast table.

To celebrate Easter Monday, Lithuanians play an egg-tapping game, where two participants tap their eggs together – the person whose egg remains unbroken is declared the winner. Additionally, boys and girls in some regions of Lithuania used to have their own unique Easter egg hunts – the boys would hide the eggs, and the girls would have to find them (and vice versa).

Midsummer - Joninės or Rasos

Midsummer, or "Joninės" in Lithuania, falls on the night of June 23rd. This is one of the most beloved celebrations in Lithuania, and is associated with the summer solstice, flowers, fire, and romantic love.

Traditionally, people would dress up, gather around bonfires, and stay up all night enjoying music, games, and food. In some regions, people would braid flower wreaths and wear them on their head or hang them on their door or car mirrors. And, according to old Lithuanian myths, finding blooming ferns during the solstice brings luck and wealth for the rest of the year.

In modern Lithuania, Joninės are celebrated a bit differently - with big open-air concerts, performances of live music, street markets, and festivals throughout the country. This is an excellent opportunity for tourists to experience Lithuanian hospitality and customs, as well as the country's summer beauty.

Christmas - Kūčios and Kalėdos

The Christmas season in Lithuania is split into two parts: "Kūčios", or the "vigil", and "Kalėdos", or "Christmas day".

On the evening of December 24th, families prepare a special meal that consists of 12 dishes, such as fish, beets, mushrooms, and more, symbolizing the twelve apostles. They sit for the meal and leave reserved seats at the table for the deceased family members, who they believe are still part of the family. Afterward, families may attend the midnight mass.

But the festivities don't end there. The following day, Christmas day, is celebrated with more feasting and caroling, and gifts are exchanged. In many Lithuanian towns and cities, Christmas markets open up in the town squares, offering a variety of craft goods, food, and gifts throughout the holiday season.

Seasonal Customs

In addition to the major holidays listed above, there are also a wide variety of lesser-known custom celebrations in Lithuania that are celebrated throughout the year. Here are just a few examples:

Užgavėnės - Shrovetide

Shrovetide, or "Užgavėnės", is celebrated in Lithuania in late February or early March, just before the Lenten season begins. This festival originally marked the end of winter and the start of spring, and is typically celebrated by wearing masks and costumes, feasting, singing, and performing skits.

In Lithuania, a popular custom is to build a giant effigy, called "morė", which represents winter, and burn it on a bonfire to symbolize the coming of spring. Other traditional activities include a winter fight, where people hurl bags of flour at each other, and eating pancakes - a last indulgence before the start of the Lenten fast.

All Saints' Day - Vėlinės

All Saints' Day, or "Vėlinės", is celebrated in Lithuania on November 1st, and is a day to honor the deceased. Families typically visit the graves of their loved ones and leave candles, flowers, and food as a sign of respect.

However, the night before Vėlinės, the "Night of Ghosts" or "Visų Šventųjų diena", is also celebrated. According to Lithuanian tradition, the spirits of the dead return home for the night to visit their loved ones.

During this time, families create special dishes, such as "kūčiukai", a small, sweet bread. These are placed on the table as a symbol of the continuing earthly life, and it is believed that the ghosts, hungry from their long travels, will snack on this food. Some people also create special "remembrance tables" with pictures, candles, and personal items of the loved ones who have passed away.

Conclusion

Lithuanian culture is complex, and steeped in a rich history of ancient and modern traditions, customs and celebrations. While the major holidays described above are some of the most important festivals, there are plenty more that are equally cherished among the Lithuanian people. Learning about these traditions is a valuable way to connect with the Lithuanian people and the language that they speak.

Remember, language and culture are inseparable, and understanding the cultural context of a language can deepen your understanding and appreciation of it. Through this lesson, I hope you have gained a deeper understanding of Lithuanian culture and traditions, and perhaps some inspiration to one day experience these customs firsthand.

Table of Contents - Lithuanian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Introduction to Lithuanian

• Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Basic Sentence Structure

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Greetings and Introductions

• Common Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

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Nouns and Pronouns

• Noun Gender and Declension
• Personal Pronouns

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Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-100
• Telling Time

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Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

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Food and Dining

• Common Foods
• Dining Out

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Adjectives and Adverbs

• Describing People and Things
• Comparatives and Superlatives

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Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Asking for Directions

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Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Common Prepositions
• Connecting Ideas

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Shopping and Services

• Shopping Vocabulary
• Banking and Postal Services

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Lithuanian Traditions and Customs

• Holidays and Celebrations
• Traditional Cuisine

Related Lessons

• Geographic Features and Landmarks
• Lithuanian Literature
• Transportation and Travel Phrases
• Lithuanian Sports
• Tourism and Leisure Activities
• Outdoor Activities
• Lithuania Timeline
• Cuisine
• Celebrations and Holidays
• Festivals and Celebrations

Sources

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