Comenius multilateral partnership 2012-2014

European MultiguideThis project has been funded with support from the European Commission.

This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

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KALVARIJOS GIMNAZIJAKalvarija, Lithuania

LithuanianTraditions and Customs Specific to Winter

Holidays

In Lithuania a four week period Advent before Christmas is the time devoted to praying, fastening and hope.This is the time when people used to gather together to share folk tales, songs and games with each other including young and old.

One of the songs which is still very popular among young girls is"Jievaro tiltas"(Jievaras- EN Tree of Life is also the spring of birth and of course of feminine origin).

The Advent period finishes with Christmas Eve traditions. This is a day which is rich in old traditions and prejudice.

• Families are used to sitting around the table covered with hay and white tablecloth. They gather around the table neatly dressed, they start the supper with the pray led by the oldest member of the family. After that they share each other with a Christmas Bread (taken from the church).

Christmas Bread

• Dishes during Christmas supper have to be typical of the fastening period: prepared without oil, cream, flour, meat. Mostly we eat salads of vegetables, dishes of nuts, apples, cereals; drink juice, kvass, custard.

We still keep to the tradition of 12 dishes during the supper they are meant to represent 12 month and 12 apostles of Jesus Christ.

After the supper the youth start to predict their future using different

tricks• They try to pull the longest straw from the

hay under the cover.• Young and unmarried girls/guys are curious

about their future husband/wife. • They have to listen and spot the direction of

the dogs barking. This proves where their spouses are coming from.

• It was also believed that domestic animals start speaking at 12o'clock, they can also tell what the future is going to bring.

• Even water in wells is believed to turn into wine at twelve o'clock sharp.

Christmas morning is a merry and joyful event when everyone is willing to celebrate, to wish everyone happiness, successes and more bright moments in his/her life.

• Then it is the time for children to unwrap the presents as well as parents start exchanging good mood or small presents with other members of the family, for example, grandmothers, grandfathers, godfathers, godmothers and godchildren.

We also celebrate New Year Eve. The reason for celebrating is to part with the Old year and to greet the upcoming year with joy and the show of fireworks.

The winter holiday celebration finishes with the Epiphany January 6th.This is mostly a religious holiday , though it is high time to take off all Christmas decorations and start one’s daily and annual routine.

Thanks to

• Asta Liukaitiene and Loreta Minseviciene for photos.

• Sigute Valentaite – Rugiene for playing the Lithuanian Christmas carol “Gul Siandiena jau ant Sieno”

• Students from Kalvarijos gymnasium for the texts, illustrating Winter Holiday traditions.