Traditional Culture in Modern Lithuania

The traditional clothing of each region is woven and worn in a particular way and has a specific pattern, color and style of tailoring. Photo by Henrikas Sakalauskas

For many people, traditional song, national dress, calendar celebrations, and wedding and christening rituals are an important part of their personal lives.

The Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968 increased nationalistic feeling in Lithuania This resulted in the collecting of authentic Lithuanian songs, folk tales, dances and instrumental music. Young people resisted the stylized folk culture promoted by the state and started to take an active interest in traditional culture. They traveled around the country collecting folk objects and instruments. Folklore ensembles began springing up. The best folk artists from rural areas were invited to perform in cities during special celebrations. There were also frequent television programs about folk artists. Today there are hundreds of folk ensembles in Lithuania, based in workplaces, schools and villages. People are also experimenting with using traditional folklore as a component of jazz, rock, and pop music.

Catholic holidays like Easter and Shrovetide had been suppressed during the Soviet occupation but have begun to be celebrated again. Other traditions connected with weddings and the harvest are also being revived now.