Lithuanian festivities

16.2 Lithuanian independence day (1918)

On February 16th 1918 the Lithuanian Council signed the Lithuanian Independence Act. The Act of 16 February announces that the Lithuanian Council separates Lithuania from all state ties that have ever existed with other nations. On this day students don´t go to school and also this day is very important for Lithuanians.

Užgavėnės

Picture: Andrius Petrucenia, CC-BY-SA 3.0 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/48358291@N06

Its name in English means "the time before Lent" – so it is the Lithuanian version of carnival. The festival marks the end of the winter. Participants traditionally dress and act as Romani people and Jews, wearing masks with grotesque features, beards and visible ear locks. On this day Lithuanians eat pancakes and burn “Morė”, because “Morė” symbolizes winter. There are another two characters “kanapinis” and “lašininis” who fight against each other. “Kanapinis” symbolizes spring season and “lašininis” symbolizes winter season. “Kanapinis” wants to get “lašininis” away that´s why they are fighting.

11.3. Restoration of independence day (1990)

The the Re-Establishment of the state of Lithuania or “Act of March 11^th” was an independence declaration by the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic adopted on March 11, 1990.

6.7. King Mindaugas Coronation day

Lithuania had just one King Mindaugas, He was crowned on 1253 July 6th. He was king for 10years (from 1253 AD until 1263 AD). We hang the flags on the buildings this day. This day is very important to us.

01.11 All Souls Day

In Lithuania, people visit and tidy graves, they burn candles. In All Souls day everyone have no work day. Some people go to church.It is very important day in Lithuania and everyone must remember their dead family members, friends on this day.

24.12. Christmas Eve

It is a family dinner. Each Family must prepare 12 dishes. The twelve different dishes represented the twelve lunar months of the year. Some people go to church. Some people think that on Christmas Eve animals can talk. On Christmas Eve people cannot eat meat or drink alcohol.