Spring Day Partnership European Union Enlargement ROMANIA CLUJ

Spring Day Partnership European Union Enlargement ROMANIA CLUJ SCOALA BOB

Greece

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Poland

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LITHUANIA Jonava Justinas Vareikis Basic School

THE LAND OF JONAVA “JONAVA, I plant you this oak tree… In the autumn skies You are so amazing and nice With your valleys and places under the windows Full of flowers!” A swan is the symbol of our town Archaeologists find first traces of our ancestors in the territory of Skaruliai village (it is only 2 miles from Jonava). These traces are from three thousand years B. C. From later times there are burial mounds, mounds and camps from the Stone Age. As the legend says, in the old times, on the left bank of the river Neris, in the pine forest there was an in which lived a man Jonas and his wife Joniene. The inn attracted tired travellers and merchants. They said : “Let’s call on the way on Jonai”. According to the legend the name of the Jonava has been derived from innkeepers Jonas and Joniene.

St Ann’s church More than 250 years passed since our town was founded by nobles Kosakovskis. They were the most notable historical figures in Jonava. This family owned the environs of Jonava from the mid -17 th century. One of its members Juozapas Antanas Kosakovskis was aide-de-camp of emperor Napoleon. When the French occupied Moscow, he was the war commandant of this city. In historical part of the town is an extant street with old buildings. A little away from the centre you can find a white St Jacob the Apostle’s church. The church, monastery and presbytery were built in 1793. The most important monument of architecture is St Ann’s Church. It was built in 1622 and contains elements of Gothic and Renaissance styles. Jonava is situated almost in the heart of the country, not far from the second biggest city in Lithuania - Kaunas Here runs the second largest Lithuanian river Neris. The river Sventoji falls into it. The little stream Lietava should also be mentioned. Some historians and linguists say the Lithuania’s (our country) name has been derived from its name. Deep valleys of the Neris and the Sventoji rivers have formed a landscape of unique beauty. Our native town can offer a lot of places of interest.

The river Neris Prepared by Vilija and Laura Jonava Justinas Vareikis Basic School

LITHUANIA Region Dzukija

1 picture Dzukija National Park Lithuania has reason to be proud of having as many as four different ethnic lands which have survived – Aukštaitija, Dzūkija, Suvalkija and Žemaitija. The differences amongst these lands are not only the dialects spoken, the distinctive prints and colours inherent in national costumes, the scenery of the landscapes, and the planning layouts of the villages, farmsteads and buildings. Even the character of the residents differ respectively. For instance, the people in Suvalkija are known for their thrift, in Žemaitija for their stubbornness, in Aukštaitija for their sence of pride, and in Dzūkija – the people are always sincere, hospitable, simple and friendly. Alytus County is in the south of Lithuania. It is an image of a lush green carpeting of pine, covering the Continental sand drifts of the gently rolling Dainava Platins, and hilly Dzūkija Highlands, the graceful bends of the Nemunas, Merkys and Ūla Rivers, the gurgling of creeks, pristine lakes, mineralladen water wells, unique natural scenery and the song -like dialect of the people of Dzūkija. The county borders Byelorussia and Poland. The territory of the county measures 542. 500 hectares, of which 203. 600 hectares are farming lands, 247. 200 hectares are forests, and 24. 300 hectares are water bodies. This 2 picture The biggest boulder in Dzukija Lands county is the densest in the country with forests, comprising 44% of the entire territory, and the richest in mushrooms. The largest Lithuanian river, the Nemunas, and one of the most beautiful, the Merkys, flow through the

3 picture Punia castle mound county. The largest of the numerous lakes in the county are the 2. 334 hectares Dusia, the 912, 7 hectares Didžiulis, the 991, 8 hectares Žuvintas, and the 1. 290 hectares Metelys Lakes. The Dzūkija National Park , the Žuvintas and Čepkeliai Nature Reservations, and the Meteliai , Nemunas Bend and Veisiejai Regional Parks are within county territory. A great many architectural and cultural landmarks are significant , such as Merkinė, the ancient capital of Dzūkija with its array of the 15 th– 19 th centuries architectural structures, the Simnas and Rudamina Churches and Liškiava Church in ensemble with monastery. Alytus Town, with a population of 77, 200, is the capital city of Dzūkija, an athnic territory of Lithuania. The name of Alytus was first reported by Vygandas Magdeburgietis. He wrote in the Livonian Chronicles how the German Order raged through the lands of Alytus and Merkinė in 1377. Alytus Town developed in a locale, known for its natural beauty, alongside a huge river Nemunas and nestled between lowely woods. 5 picture The town of Alytus 6 picture The Nemunas river 4 picture National costume

Otilia Moldovan email : otiliamoldovan 2001@yahoo. com web : http: //www. geocities. com/otiliamoldovan 2001/