Latvian and Lithuanian folk song fortitude Thanks to

Latvian and Lithuanian folk song fortitude

Thanks to the Rebel project Valkas Basic school work group was able to do a joint research with Kaunas library's work group. Our research objective – Latvian and Lithuanian folk song comparison.

Our team works plan included Lithuanian folk song historical, literary and musical research

Preparation for work trip to Lithuania. Research work in Kaunas library about Lithuanian folk song history with workers from Kaunas library.

See Kaunas library's prepared exhibition “Lietuviskos Dainos”. 2 vas bildes

Visit the great poets and artists K. Churlionis museum in Kauna whose work is based on national folklore. See mythological character collection which is located in the Devils museum in Kauna while researching folk songs.

See unique natural treasure – amber museum in Palanga. In Lithuanian folklore amber symbolizes sun.

Visit doctors – rock collectors – museum in Mosed, because rock is portrayed as natures phenomenon which cherish natures energy and gives it to people.

Latvian and Lithuanian folk songs Latvian and Lithuanian similarities was created in historical evolution and have been saved till nowadays. Our brotherhood are not strange to no one, but, if we want to keep it alive, we have to work tireless, so that we could understand each other even better and deeper.

Knowing Lithuanian folk song symbolism, when we read and hear them, we still feel commonness, conjunctivness and brotherhood. At first sight this is not an easy thing to understand – there is different rhythm, style, but step by step we feel world in the same colours and light.

We have the same whiteness, dear nature and soul clearness. Latvian rose garden Lithuanians replace with rutu garden. Sēju jauku rožu dārzu, Sev kur daiļi pušķoties. Steidzu, steidzu rožu dārzu Bez rasiņas izravēt. Iznāk meitiņa No rūtu dārza, Darinot vainadziņus.

Especially we want to accent ethical values which are in both nation mental strength. Tolerance, shyness, joy about nature, joy about our own and others work, noble suffering of worries, awe from parents, acceptance of good and evil with understanding, the balance of light and darkness.

Folk songs about sun Lec saulīte rītā agri Spīd pa logu istabā. Saulīte, mīļā, Dieviņa meita, Kur tu tā kavējies, Kur tu tik ilgi biji Mūs visus atstājusi?

We also researched uniqueness and originality of Latvian and Lithuanian folk songs are more wider in story Language is bigger (where we have 1 quatrain, they 5 or 6) and there is no Klusi, klusi tekahave Nemuniņa, rhymes Bet vēl klusāk runā mūsu māsiņas In Lithuanian folk songs historical events are very pointed out, but in storyline they are associated with mythological creatures (witches, devils, ravens)

Lithuanian folk song about raven Atskrēja melnais krauklis, Atnesa baltu rozi, Zelta gredzentiņa. Teici, putniņ, pasaki Tu, melnais krauklīt, Kur tu ņēmi baltu rozi Zelta gredzentiņ?

Ludvig Rhesa – folk song collector In 1825 was published first Lithuanian folk song corpus – Ludvig Rhesa “Dainos oder Litauiche Volkslieder (Dainos)” Rhesa worked in Keninberg university as a professor, who started not only collecting, but also researching national folklore. In his research professor underlined Lithuanian and Latvian folk song similarity (nature, war and fishermen’s songs) All in all there are 500 000 folk songs collected

Ludvig Rhesa

Latvian folk songs were also started to collect in the 19 th century. It was done by primary school teacher Krisjanis Barons. All in all there are 217 000 folk songs collected.

Nowadays Folk songs research are still continuing for both nations. Folk songs are still alive both in folklore groups, and national Song Festivals. In Lithuanian folk storytellers and folk song singers, which separately sing all Lithuanian regions songs with unique styles and repertory, are very popular.

Lithuanian folk song group “Atalyja”

We are very grateful to opportunities of the project and our cooperative partners for this work and new ideas for lifelong education!

Thank you for your attention!