Natalie Browning Lithuania Like the American flag of red, white, and blue, Lithuania’s banner of yellow, green, and red symbolizes a nation that bravely fought for its independence. When you hear the language, you may think you’ve gone back in time. Lithuanian is the most like Sanskrit of all Indo-European languages still used, and has preserved many of its ancient qualities. Rolling hills, stretching plains, and hundreds of rivers diversify the topography of this country that rests on the shore of the Baltic Sea. Lithuania, a country that was one of Europe’s largest states in the fourteenth century, is now one of its smaller countries. However, don’t let its size fool you. Lithuania is a country with a vibrant history and a strong will.
A Struggle for Independence The process of becoming a nation was not easy for Lithuania. Lithuania has gone back and forth between being independent and being controlled other countries. Its own country through the late 1300s, Lithuania then joined Poland to form the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, a large confederation that lasted until the late 1700s. However, its lands were later absorbed by other nations. Then, Lithuania was reestablished as a single country after World War I, only to be annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940. It wasn’t until 1990 that Lithuania was able to bravely declare independence (which was more officially achieved almost two years later because it took that long for the Russians to remove their troops from the country). It was the first of the Baltic States to do this. In its fight for freedom, Lithuania has shown perseverance and determination as a leader among its fellow Baltic states, which are now each independent countries as well. “Everywhere is good [to live], however, best is at home,” quotes Jonas Balys of the Lithuanian
Quarterly Journal of Arts and Sciences. Indeed, Lithuanians have expressed this sentiment in their perseverance to remain Lithuanian.
Lithuania Today Today, Lithuania’s borders rest alongside Latvia, Belarus, Poland, and the Baltic Sea. While the country is over eighty percent ethnic Lithuanian in population, there are also smaller populations of Poles and Russians, nationalities that both have strong historical ties to Lithuania. In terms of religion, many faiths are practiced in Lithuania. However, the nation is heavily Roman Catholic. In terms of agriculture, Lithuania’s fertile agricultural lands are known for growing various grains and vegetables like potatoes and sugar beets, both of which are major ingredients in some traditional Lithuanian dishes such as cold beet soup and potato dumplings. From its landscape to its tourist attractions Lithuania is a beautiful country with so much to offer, and its history remains an important part of its culture today.
“Lithuanian Gold” Amber, a hard honey- or brown-colored material that has been found near the Baltic Sea, was known by merchants at one point as “Lithuanian gold.” It was found in Juodkrante in 1854, and was known to have had various purposes anciently which include healing illnesses, strengthening the body, and adorning the body and home in jewelry and art. It was even used in teething necklaces for children to chew on and was used anciently as currency. Today, amber is still being used for many of these purposes and it is a notable part of Lithuania’s national costume. While the original locations of the deposits are unknown, it is believed that amber deposits have been moved about by the current of the Baltic Sea, and prehistoric artifacts made of amber have been
found throughout Lithuania. Currently in Lithuania there is actually a coastal strip of land called the Amber Road that is home to many museums and workshops dedicated to this “Lithuanian gold.� One museum in particular, the Lithuania Minor History Museum, houses archaic amber artifacts from the fifth and sixth centuries.
Meals of Choice Architecture tells a lot about a nation; history and tradition also have a way of defining a culture. And let us not forget--so does its food. Lithuania is known for very interesting cuisine made from simple ingredients. Cepilinai is a very popular dish from Lithuania made of large potato dumplings. These are usually filled with meat or curd filling and served with a mushroom sour cream. Also as mentioned earlier, there is cold beetroot soup. Besides beets, the soup often contains cucumber, dill, green onion, boiled eggs, and soured milk, and is often served with some type of potatoes. Also following the potato tradition is bulvinai blynai, or potato pancakes. These are sometimes filled with meat as well, and can be served with mushroom cream or sour cream. Other Lithuanian foods include bilberry dumplings, various dishes with cottage cheese or dark rye bread (or both), and gira (a fermented soft drink made from black rye bread).
Vilnius, the Capital of Lithuania With its roots dating back to the Neolithic period, Vilnius presents an incredible history accompanied by a vast range of architecture. However, the city was not always known as Vilnius as it is today. It was officially recognized as a town in the thirteenth century. It started off, however, as a castle in AD 1000, and as Germans began to invade, Baltic people came together and developed a settlement there.
As the last Eastern European state to remain pagan, Lithuania (and Vilnius especially) was suddenly opened to the spread of Western culture after the Christian baptism of Grand Duke Jagalia in 1387. Tragically, its majesty was not left unscathed throughout the years. After a series of fires, Vilnius was built back up again in the sixteenth century, and trading throughout other European nations was more closely established.
While it has undergone much with the annexation of Lithuania by Russia, today Vilnius stands as a definite place of interest for many tourists. One particular aspect of Vilnius that intrigues many is its combination of architecture from the gothic, baroque, and classical eras. A majestic red cathedral, the Church of St. Anne stands as a piece from the Gothic period. It was believed that Napoleon Bonaparte among others was quite taken with its beauty. Its origins are unknown, but it has stood as a special icon of the city for over five centuries. St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church, built during the 1600s by Hetman Mykolas Kazimieras Pacas, serves as a beautiful demonstration of Vilnius’s liberation during the Baroque period. According to legend, the same site on which this church stands was once the place of the temple of Milda, a pagan goddess.
All on its own, Vilnius University is a prime example of Vilnius’s conglomeration of history and symbolism. When reformation sentiments were high, Jesuit monks oversaw education here and fought reformation, establishing the Vilnius University in the late seventeenth century. Within the university alone, buildings of all three artistic styles stand (gothic, baroque, and classical), representing Vilnius’s history from medieval times to current times.
Besides its many historic locations and edifices, Vilnius also presents a wide variety of other interesting sights for tourists. These include the Stasys Brundza Car and Transport Museum, the Stebuklas Miracle Tile, and—more recently—the 2013 Lucky Belly sculpture, which is said to bring good luck to businesses when rubbed. Vilnius has a little something for everyone. With its incredible architecture and traditions, this great city stands as a symbol of the synthesis of history and the joining of the past with the present and future.
Conclusion Lithuania, while vastly different than it was at the time of its birth, has been able to hold onto its roots and history remarkably well. Its language and architecture are only two examples of this. Numerous museums offer visitors just a glimpse of the vibrant and ancient history of this country. Lithuania holds a strong national identity that has remained for centuries. While not the same country it was hundreds of years ago, Lithuania still holds on to religions, architecture, and traditions left behind by former generations, yet still embraces diversity of influence and modern culture. It is truly a place to behold and a gem of Eastern Europe.
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