“Užgavėnės” is a Lithuanian festival that takes place during the seventh week before Easter ( Ash Tuesday). Its name in English means “the time before Lent”. The celebration corresponds to Roman Catholic holiday traditions in other parts of the world, such as Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday, and Carnaval.Užgavėnės begins on the night before Ash Wednesday, when an effigy of winter (usually named Morė) is burnt. A major element of the holiday, meant to symbolize the defeat of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, is a staged battle between Lašininis (”porker”), personifying winter, and Kanapinis (”hempen man”), who personifies spring. Devils, witches, goats, the grim reaper, gypsies, and other joyful and frightening characters appear in costume during the celebrations. The participants and masqueraders dance and eat the traditional dish of the holiday - pancakes with a variety of toppings, since round pancakes are a symbol of the returning sun.
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Monday, 23 February 2009
Friday, 13 February 2009
INDEPENDENCE
When We hear "Independence Day" We hear freedom. Freedom from oppression, freedom from a loss of human rights, freedom from poverty, freedom to make choices that directly affect your future from actions that YOU take. And I think that any countries Independence Day is one to celebrate and be happy about it.
Seventy years ago,at the end of the I World War, on February 16, 1918, the Lithuanian National Council declared the independence of Lithuania and established the Republic of Lithuania.This restoration of Lithuania's sovereignty was recognized around the world -- even by the Soviet Union, in 1920. Lithuania joined the League of Nations in 1921, and for the next two decades Lithuanians enjoyed liberty and self-determination under a government.
The celebration was short lived. During World War II Lithuania was overrun by Soviet tanks on their way to Poland, followed by German tanks on their way to Russia, and again by the Soviets on their way to Berlin.
On January 13, 1991,the Soviet Union, fearful of increasing nationalist sentiment in Lithuania invaded the city of Vilnius and attacked the TV tower and other buildings. Images of the attack spread throughout the world, and were influential in the eventual fall of the Soviet Union eight months later.
The short Act of Independence of 1918, with its emphasis on democratic principles, was cited by Lithuanians as the inspiration for and the basis of the rebirth of their sovereign state.
Seventy years ago,at the end of the I World War, on February 16, 1918, the Lithuanian National Council declared the independence of Lithuania and established the Republic of Lithuania.This restoration of Lithuania's sovereignty was recognized around the world -- even by the Soviet Union, in 1920. Lithuania joined the League of Nations in 1921, and for the next two decades Lithuanians enjoyed liberty and self-determination under a government.
The celebration was short lived. During World War II Lithuania was overrun by Soviet tanks on their way to Poland, followed by German tanks on their way to Russia, and again by the Soviets on their way to Berlin.
On January 13, 1991,the Soviet Union, fearful of increasing nationalist sentiment in Lithuania invaded the city of Vilnius and attacked the TV tower and other buildings. Images of the attack spread throughout the world, and were influential in the eventual fall of the Soviet Union eight months later.
The short Act of Independence of 1918, with its emphasis on democratic principles, was cited by Lithuanians as the inspiration for and the basis of the rebirth of their sovereign state.
Saturday, 7 February 2009
St. Valentine's Day
Love is one of the most important things in our lives. It's very pity, but we have only one day in a year, when we can celebrate love's day. It's St.Valentine's Day, which is celebrated on the 14th of February. There are many phrases about love:"Love's eyes see love everywhwre", "Love's home is in heaven","Love can be sad, but patient" and so on. Every year, a week before the 14th of February we rush to shops to buy some cards. On Valentine's Day we send them and anonymous love letters to our good friends, and give each other small presents. Sometimes we want to change our handwritings, but it's very difficult, because this person who gets a letter, knows from others who wrote it. Valentine's Day is very popular at our school. Every year we have great parties in it. Our lessons are very short and during the breaks we can listen to music, we have a chance to greet our teachers too. Everybody is happy on this day. But the most interesting moment is during the lessons. Then we wait for the student's from other clases and when all people are gathered we begin to play funny games and dance.
Sometimes when we need more tasks for our games, we like to choose a girl or a boy who can tell us the best story or a poem about love. When he recites a poem, we give a present to this person, whose story or poem was the most interesting, stutting or very happy. We can spend our time greatly, but we have one reason, why we can't do this so fine, because evening is not so long, and when we begin to celebrate our parties, the hours pass like few minutes. But we are glad, what we do, and we all wish to others to spend St. Valentine's Day so great like we.
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