Lithuanian Community Takeover
Tue 30 AprJoin us for a day of activity, celebrating Lithuanian culture, art and film and exploring Lithuanian identity.
The programme of events is:
- 10:30 – 12:30 – Film screening ‘The Jump’ (cert 15)
- 12:30 – 17:00 – Drop in craft activity
- 14:00 – 15:00 – Serving of cold beetroot soup
- 15:15 – 17:00 – Lithuanian identity discussion
- 18:00 – 20:00 – Dancing workshops – 2 for children & 1 for adults
Book a ticket to get an all day pass to the events but please be advised that the screening of ‘The Jump’ is for people aged 15 and above.
If you only want to attend the drop in craft activity then you do not need to book a ticket, just come to the key and join us for some fun!
For details about the events below:
Film screening ‘The Jump’:
It’s Thanksgiving Day, 1970, the Atlantic Ocean. A US patrol boat meets a Soviet fishing vessel. A Soviet sailor jumps across the icy water onto the American boat in a frantic bid for freedom. To his horror, and to the outcry of the world media, the Americans return him to the Soviets. Through rare archival footage and a dramatic, first-person re-enactment by the would-be defector, 86-year-old Simas Kudirka, the film creators relive one of the most unpredictable Cold War muddles.
Directed and produced by Giedrė Žickytė, the film was initially selected as the Lithuanian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards, however, ultimately was not submitted.
Cold beetroot soup “šaltibarščiai”:
The Amber Food Group Ltd, run by Lithuanian living in Peterborough, will prepare and deliver the cold beetroot soup.
At the end of March 2024, Taste Atlas, an online travel guide to traditional food, announced the world’s best cold soups. In this top 17, the Lithuanian cold beetroot soup “šaltibarščiai” climbed to the first place!
“This refreshing, cold beetroot soup is part of traditional Lithuanian cuisine. The creamy consistency of this soup consists of fermented or boiled beets, kefir or fermented milk mixture, which is poured over grated cucumbers and boiled eggs. The whole soup is seasoned with chopped greens – dill and onion leaves. It is usually left to sit for a while until all the flavors settle.
This soup is usually prepared during the summer and is recommended to be consumed chilled with a special side dish – potatoes, which can be served boiled, fried or simply as porridge. This soup can be enjoyed as an appetizer or as a light main course,” says the Taste Atlas guide.
Lithuanian identity discussion (Lithuanian language):
The main topic of the discussion will be a referendum.
The constitutional referendum will be held in Lithuania on 12 May 2024 alongside the first round of the presidential elections.Voters will be asked whether they approve of a constitutional amendment to allow Lithuanians to hold multiple citizenships.
The Lithuanian diaspora is estimated at two million people and is largely concentrated in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Brazil, Russia and Canada. It is estimated that there are around 600,000 people of Lithuanian descent living in the United States.
The guests from Lithuania – the members of parliament, and the representatives from the Embassy of Lithuania in the UK are expected to take part.
Dancing workshops – 2 for children & 1 for adults:
The Lithuanian Adult Dance group “Raskila”, established in 2014, led by Irma Gravinskiene, and two children dance groups “Gintareliai” and “Laseliai”, established in 2024, led by Greta Rasimavice, all, based in Peterborough, will be running the dance workshops for everyone.
Drop in craft activity (hanging straw gardens “sodai”):
The workshop will be led by Virginija Mikalauskiene – a Lithuanian woman, living in the UK, Peterborough, for about 17 years.
Hanging straw gardens came into her life not so long ago, but became a meaningful part of her life since.
“Sodai” straw gardens are hanging ornaments made from the stalks of grains. This practice involves the cultivation of grain (typically rye), the treatment of straw and the creation of geometric structures of varying sizes, however, since straws are very difficult to find in the UK, Virginia has come up with a way to adapt them and make them from wrapping paper. The structures are then decorated with details symbolizing fertility and prosperity. Sodai gardens are believed to reflect the pattern of the universe and are associated with well-being and spirituality. They are hung over the cradles of babies and over a wedding or family table to wish happiness to newborns, fertility to newlyweds or harmony to the family. Some sodai-making families have been practising the tradition for generations. Although most of the practitioners are women, workshops exist and are open to people of all ages and genders. The practice is passed on informally within families or during events such as festivals, exhibitions, conferences and summer camps. An integral part of traditional wooden home interiors, sodai gardens are viewed as spiritual gifts. They provide a sense of shared cultural heritage and continuity to the practising communities while strengthening communal partnerships, intergenerational bonds and cultural diversity.
Lithuanian straw gardens have recently been added to the UNESCO cultural heritage list.
The Welcome Week(ender) is a programme of performances, workshops and activities presented by Landmark Theatres. The Welcome Week(ender) is designed to invite new audiences, artists and communities into the Key Theatre and offer free shows, workshops and taster session opportunities. Find out more here.
