CRAFTSMEN YARDS NEW PRODUCT IN LITHUANIAN COUNTRYSIDE TOURISM

CRAFTSMEN YARDS – NEW PRODUCT IN LITHUANIAN COUNTRYSIDE TOURISM Linas Žabaliūnas Chairman of the board Lithuanian countryside tourism association June 2010 Riga

RURAL TOURISM IN LITHUANIA o Rural tourism started in 1997. There were only 17 homesteads. Today we have near 600 homesteads; o Rural tourism is considered as alternative activity in the countryside;

Countryside tourism association of Lithuania It’s an independent non-profit organization uniting people of the Republic of Lithuania involved in rural tourism. Association was established for meeting and implementing common needs and tasks of its members. Association office - K. Donelaicio st. 2 - 201, Kaunas, Lithuania. Website www. atostogoskaime. lt www. countryside. lt e-mail: kaimas@zur. lt

Members of the Association Total number of farmsteads - 361 Number of farmsteads in 4 ethnographical regions: Aukštaitija - 181 Žemaitija - 84 Dzūkija - 78 Suvalkija - 18 Number of farmsteads available throughout the year - 298

Sorts of Lithuanian crafts

Lithuanian National heritage legislation • Provides legal protection to national heritage products; • Enables not only to preserve but also to spread traditional Lithuanian crafts and craftsmen experience; • Describes national heritage products, traditional crafts as well as sets their classification principles and certification procedures; • Creates possibilities for traditional craftsmen to create and promote national heritage products; • Set the forms and principles of state support to this field.

What is traditional craft and who is traditional craftsman • National heritage product – certified traditional produce, traditional plant varieties, animal breads and their products having historically formed traditional product form, composition or particular attribute; • Traditional produce –craftsmen ware, food products, national music instruments and other ethnic material heritage products, usually handmade and preserving unique quality and features of the product. • Traditional craft – individual or group activity based on generation from generation passed skill or experience to create national heritage product. • Traditional craftsman – person doing traditional craft.

Craftsmen yards in countryside tourism Food products • Dairy products; • Meat products; • Bread products; • “Moon shine” (distillate) Craftsmen ware • Wood carvings; • Blacksmiths; • Potters; • Weaving; • Felt making and other.

Craftsmen yards – as a product Craftsmen yards Demonstration Training Tasting Selling Legal drawbacks

Thank you for your attention and looking forward to seeing you in Lithuania! www. countryside. lt kaimas@zur. lt