Lithuanians Sing Out For The Smithsonian Institution's Folklife Festival

All photos courtesy of Laima Sileikis-Hood.

Marcinkonys Village Folk Ensemble performs at the "Subatvakaris" - a side event during the Folklife Festival.

Lithuanian folk artisans and performers were a great success at the Smithsonian Institution's Folklife Festival, which occurred from June 24th to July 5th, on the Great Mall in Washington, D.C. About a million people attended the Festival. Many of them visited the Lithuanian pavilion where they watched demonstrations of the artisans and learned the traditions, songs, and dances of Lithuania.

Children visit the Lithuanian Village Table's wood carving exhibit and try on typical Shrove Tuesday masks.

In addition to the 50 participants from Lithuania (who were sponsored by Lithuania's Ministry of Culture), the "Sodauto" folk ensemble from Boston also performed songs and dances of the Lithuanian coal miners living in Pennsylvania in the early part of the 20th century.

The Lithuanian-American Community (JAV Lietuviu Bendruomene) designated Laima Sileikis-Hood to represent Lithuanians in organizing the festival with the Smithsonian Institution, and she, in turn, asked Dale Lukas to form a committee in Washington, D.C. The Washington committee, comprised of Lithuanian-American Community members, was responsible for press releases, obtaining volunteers to host the performers and artisans in the evenings, and provide translators during the festival to explain the work of the artisans. The Lithuanian Embassy assisted in facilitating contracts between the Ministry of Culture in Lithuanian and the Smithsonian Institution.

The Festival's participants hold gifts to be presented to the Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania, Stasys Sakalauskas and his wife, during a reception at the Lithuanian Embassy.

On June 27th, the Washington committee organized a real Lithuanian "Subatvakaris" or a traditional festive evening which was attended by guests from New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and the D.C. area. Zita Kelmickaite and Vida Satkauskiene led the Festival participants to be warmly welcomed by the Lithuanian-Americans. Dr. Petras Anusas, General Consul of Lithuania from New York, and Donatas Skucas, President of the Board of Directors of the Lithuanian-American Community, greeted the participants.

Guests at the Subatvakaris had an opportunity to obtain amber jewelry, "verbos" - intricately woven dried flower rods, straw ornaments, carvings, and books that the artisans brought from Lithuanian to the Festival. Folk dancers, musicians, and singers provided the entertainment and encouraged everyone to join in the dancing.

The Washington committee provided refreshment, and the participants reciprocated by serving "skaidraja" (homemade brew) and Lithuanian candy. Everyone had a good time; singing and dancing late into the evening. To help make the evening a success, the Lithuanian Embassy donated ten cases of Lithuanian beer, and Mr. Andriulis sent 24 "Andriulis Farmer's Cheese".

At the Smithsonian Institution's reception... Seated: Saulius Saltenis, Minister of Culture of Lithuania; and Michael Heyman, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Standing: Marija Remiene, JAV LB Cultural Affairs Director; Birute Jasaitiene, JAV LB Human Relations Director; Vida Pabarskaite, Ministry of Culture; St. Sakalauskas, Lithuanian Ambassador to the U.S.; his wife Jurate; Laima Sileikis-Hood.

During the two weeks the Festival participants were in Washington, they were invited to the homes of local Lithuanian-Americans where they had an opportunity to socialize on a more personal level.

Emilija Sakadolskis coordinated the translators and made sure that all artisans had someone there to answer questions. This enabled Americans to learn about the Lithuanian culture and traditions. Elenute Bradunass, Gita Kupcinskas, and Darius Sudelis were the official presenters and translators of the programs.

The Festival was a tremendous success because of volunteers as Laima Sileikis-Hood, Dale Lukas, Gita Kupcinskas, and the entire Washington-Baltimore Lithuanian-American Community (Lietuviu Bendruomene).

1. "Sutaras" band performed Lithuanian folk song and dance music at the Folklife Festival.

2. On July 4th, a Wayside Shrine, carved during the festival, was dedicated at the Lithuanian Pavilion. The Marcinkonys Village Folk Ensemble sang alongside the Shrine.

3. "Trys-Keturiose", polyphonic singers, performed ages-old songs with dance step accompaniments.

4. During the "Subatvakaris", Festival participants donned Shrove Tuesday masks and costumes demonstrating this lively tradition to the evening's audience members.