Roots and Ethnic Tourism in Lithuania

Karolina Tutlyte Ciaran Henderson Kevin Rouse Jack White

Foreword
This presentation has been compiled by Ciaran Henderson, Karolina Tutlyte, Jack White and Kevin Rouse. There is also an accompanying report. If you would like to find out more about Ciaran; His LinkedIn Profile:

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Contents
Introduction Introduction to Ethnic Tourism In Depth research- Traditional Lithuanian Festivals Introduction to Roots tourism in Lithuania In Depth research- Case study of Lithuanian roots Questions

Lithuania is here

Lithuania Population - 3,525,761 Capital - Vilnius, population 546,000

Ethnic groups - Lithuanian 84%, Polish 6.1%, Russian 4.9%, Belarusian 1.1%, other 1.1% Ethnic Groups
Lithuanian Polish Russian Belarussian Other

 Religions Roman Catholic 79%, Russian Orthodox 4.1%, Protestant 1.9%, other or unspecified 5.5%, none 9.5% Religions
Roman Catholic Russian Orthodox Protestant other none

Languages - Lithuanian (official) 82%, Russian 8%, Polish 5.6%, other and unspecified 4.4% Languages
Lithuanian (official) Russian Polish Other

History
Lithuanian states were formed during the 11th Century This was a result of the countries struggle for power due to the military and plundering activities Lithuanian Wars of Independence 1919 1920 (3 in total) Seeking independence from the Soviets

Ethnic Tourism vs Roots Tourism

History of Ethnic & Roots Tourism to Lithuania

Introduction to Ethnic Tourism

Ethnicity is possibly one of the most important bases in order to perceive the distinction between the society/ human groups. There are culturally distinctive groups in our society.

Introduction to Ethnic Tourism

1. 2. 3. 4. According Smith (1989) the ethnic tourism involves four interrelated elements: Geographical setting (habitat) Ethnographic traditions (heritage) The effects of acculturation (history) Marketable handicrafts The four Hs

Ethnic Tourism in Lithuania

Geographical settings- Habitat

Lithuania the land of Amber. The Amber Road- route is very popular between tourists. Ethnic tourists are introduced to the amber traditions, including historic moments, extraction, processing and jeweller. (The Lithuanian Amber Road passes through ventoji, Palanga, the Seaside Regional Park, Klaipda, Juodkrant, and Nida)

Ethnic Tourism in Lithuania

Geographical settings- Habitat

Via Hanza Routes: Architectural heritage sites The people of Zemaitija The architectural heritage sites of Western Aukstaitija 4. Cultural heritage sites in Zemaitija 5. Southern Zemaitija. 1. 2. 3.

Ethnic Tourism in Lithuania

Geographical settings- Habitat

Zemaitija- Samogitia is one of the most popular regions of Ethnic tourists. Samogitia is attractive for many local and international tourists. Most popular tourist destinations are Palanga, Kretinga and emaii Kalvarija. The majority of tourists come from Latvia, Poland, Belarus, Russia, Germany, Spain, Finland, Italy and Sweden.

Ethnic Tourism in Lithuania

Geographical settings- Habitat

The are three Seaside Cycle Routes. The most popular and impressive is Curonian Spit in Klaipeda to Nida route (52km). It introduces to Klaipedas marine life and Curonian Spit National Park, which was recognized as one of the most unique natural and cultural heritage sites of the Baltic Sea region by UNESCO.

Ethnic Tourism in Lithuania

Geographical settings- Habitat

Curonian Spit in Klaipeda to Nida route: Ethnic tourists are introduced with ethnographic fishermens houses with reedy roofs and fishing nets drying nearby, seacoast beacons, wooden sculptures of the Hill of Witches.

Ethnic Tourism in Lithuania

Ethnographic traditions- Heritage

This section is one of the most important parts of ethnic tourism. Ethnic refers to the group of people who share the same heritage, - material artefacts, belief systems, customs, language, recreation, traditional housing style, etc.

Ethnic Tourism in Lithuania

Ethnographic traditions- Heritage

Lithuanian village has always been a source of Lithuanian nation community, ethnicity, cultural vitality and authenticity Granary-Museum of Rural Life and Lithuanian Palms of ekoniks village It represents various types of traditional Lithuanian palms and domestic implements, specific to this area.

Ethnic Tourism in Lithuania

Ethnographic traditions- Heritage

Rumsiskes-is the ethnographic open-air museum. This is a museum of Peoples way of life. Rumsiskes is one the most famous places where locals (Lithuanians) and ethnic tourists are acquainted with authentic houses and typical interior. (Contains 140 buildings from the 18th19th century)

Ethnic Tourism in Lithuania

Ethnographic traditions- Heritage

The Lithuanian Song and Dance Celebration brings together artists from four ethnic regions of Lithuania. Certain folklore traditions are represented. While performers are engaged in concerts, craftsmen demonstrate their products of folk art offering spectators traditional food and drinks.

Ethnic Tourism in Lithuania

Ethnographic traditions- Heritage

Language: Learning simple phrases The are schools established Authentic cuisine: can be tried in most restaurants in all Lithuania

Ethnic Tourism in Lithuania

Language: Learning simple phrases The are schools established Authentic cuisine: can be tried in most restaurants in all Lithuania

Ethnic Tourism in Lithuania

Effects of acculturation- History

Ethnic tourists are visiting most important historical places of Lithuania. Trakai. The Island Castle in the middle of Garve Lake is now the museum of history. The Kernav archaeological site represents an exceptional indication to the evolution of human settlements from the Stone Age to the 13th14th centuries and is one of the best-researched settlements in Lithuania.

Ethnic Tourism in Lithuania

Effects of acculturation- History

Vilnius Old Town is one of the largest surviving medieval old towns in Europe, it is included to UNESCO World heritage list. The Hill of Crosses

Ethnic Tourism in Lithuania

Handicrafts
Weaving is one of the oldest Lithuanian folk arts. Black pottery is another important folk art. Cross crafting is important part of Lithuanian Ethnology. Handicrafts workshops are organised by private organizations such as Amatu Gildija in Vilnius.

Lithuanian Festivals

Lithuanian Song and Dance celebration

Shrove Tuesday

St. Jonas Festival

Water Pouring

Garlands

Kupole Staff

Iron Saule

Definition
Roots Tourism has been defined as using travel as a means to forge deeper connections with the places associated with ones family, ethnic or religious group - Meethan, 2007

Reasons for People Returning

Reasons
Festivities Food Music Culture Genealogical

 Three King Masquerade:

St Johns Day:

6th January KMB written on locals doors

24th June Burning of Bonfires Festivities and Feasting Celebrating Men Named Jonas

Mindaugas Festival:
6th July Recreations of war Folk Music

Velines and All Saints Day:

1st November Honouring the dead Tending and visiting loved ones graves

Folk Songs, Dance and Instrumental Music:

Many people still remember songs, dances and music from their youth Many music festivals are held in villages across Lithuania

Bergendal
I plunged straight down into a colourful, vibrant spectrum of music, entirely unknown to me, which to a great extent was rooted in indigenous, partly national origins I was able to visit the home of the cult figure of Lithuanian music, Bronius Kutaviius, who staged myth and history in provocative musical rites to lead the Lithuanians to their roots and to strengthen their Lithuanian identity. He played for me fragments from an oratorio celebrating the 750th anniversary of the coronation of King Mindaugas.

ancestry:
CIVIL RECORDS Information given: birth, marriages, deaths Genealogical Relevance Research in the indexes Living relatives Late registrations, army records, etc. World War I Draft Registration Cards Using civil records with other sources CENSUS RECORDS Censuses from 1795-1855 Imperial Russian Census of 1896-97 Censuses from 1918-1940 Nazi Census 1942 CHURCH RECORDS Catholic records Jewish records Lutheran records LAND RECORD

Americans Going Back to Find Their Roots

SPECIFIC ROOTS
MATT GROSS

Why Lithuanians emigrated

Matt Gross (Grossmitz) Writer for the New York Times Travelled to Vilnius (the capital of Lithuania) in search of ancestors past

Travel Packages

Vilinus Find his ancestors past, who came from lithuania

First break through Meeting Regina Kopilevich at a cafe. Regina Kopilevich is a Tour Guide and Professional Genealogist providing research in genealogy and related subjects. Has helped more than 150 families find history about their ancestors

Vilinus Archives Records kept by Russian Government Details on births, deaths and marriages in the Jewish community Here Matt found information on his Great-Grandfather, Morris from Marijampole Family began 9th of Feb 1829 with the marriage of Mowsha to Dobra Also found out that his potential great-great-great grandfather was a tailor.

 After 1874 the trail of records ran dry, this then failed to show a great insight of how his Great-Grandfather fit into the Grossmitz lineage. Why he left Marijampole? Regina (the Professional Genealogist) theory, fled due to Russian Conscription. Only document that gave Marijampole as birthplace was Draft card. Found on Ancestry.com

Killing site of Marijampole

90 to 95 percent of Lithuanias 250,000 Jews were murdered. Went to the killing site of Marijampole The 11 surviving tombstones had been set in a ring around a mound of earth Writings were engraved in Hebrew, but he spotted the name Moshes a number of times, great-greatgreat-grandfathers name . Here lay a number of his ancestors.