Archive for January, 2011

To all of you, dear VilNews readers:

THANK YOU!

VilNews during the first six months of 2010.

You are one of more than 1,000 individuals throughout the world receiving VilNews directly to your mailbox every week. Many also forward VilNews to friends, colleagues and acquaintances, so we estimate that we have between 5,000 and 10,000 readers in total. VilNews is read also by Lithuania 's leaders within politics, administration, business, media, education and culture. VilNews is international Lithuania 's forum for debate and comments, and we appreciate all the many letters and comments we receive. Good debate is always healthy!

JEWISH CULTURE RETURNS TO VILNIUS

to participate in the first display of books compiled by American Wyman Brent.

Photo: Žilvinas Beliauskas  

Many of us had a certain feeling of participating in writing a new chapter of history when we met this early June day two weeks ago. Vilnius, which for hundreds of years had been one of the world's most important centres of Jewish culture and learning, was, as we know virtually wiped out from the Jewish world map during the Holocaust, but as we meet here - individuals from many countries, nationalities and cultures - this early summer day to celebrate that an American Baptist has collected more than 5000 books for what eventually will become a Jewish library of 200,000 titles, the feeling of a new dawn is clearly present.

Wyman Brent's planned new library is not the only signal. Two other men, professor Dovid Katz and professor Mikhail Iossel, have also been very active recently. As a result, not many weeks ago, the new Litvak Studies Institute was established in the premises of the Jewish community in Vilnius city centre (read more about both the library and the institute below).

These two events have not healed the wounds after the Holocaust in this country, and it will take a long time and many more efforts before this will happen. But it is important to maintain and preferably breathe new life into what was once a thriving Jewish culture here. The efforts that are now being made by these three gentlemen is nothing less than admirable, and I do therefore choose to see 10 June 2010 as a turning point in the positive direction.

I've had the pleasure to give my support to the new building of bridges that seems to be developing between Lithuania and the world’s Litvak communities these days, and I must say that I during this process have been impressed by how open and positive also many of Lithuania's governing circles and individuals have become. Wyman Brent's library has, for example, been given free space and also brought into a close cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and other government institutions. This form of transparency and genuine willingness to find reconciliation, symbolized through concrete projects, is of utmost importance, and I applaud all parties involved!

Aage Myhre

Editor

Litvak Studies Institute

Photo: Litvak Studies Institute

The Litvak Studies Institute (LSI) is an interdisciplinary academic and arts centre devoted to the language, literature, history, culture and future of Lithuanian Jewry.

Based within the Jewish community in Vilnius, the international non-profit institute works to support, strengthen and extend the vitality of Lithuanian Jewish heritage, as well as its future and contemporary life. This uniquely vibrant community thrived for over six centuries before being nearly annihilated during the Holocaust—it remains fragile in the present day.

Today, the LSI serves as a resonant local and international voice for contemporary Lithuanian Jewish issues, and provides unique resources about Litvak culture and the global diaspora of Jews of Lithuanian descent.

An educational and creative epicentre for Litvak Studies, the LSI offers a spectrum of projects, initiatives, and partnerships, including the annual publications, public affairs advocacy, Lithuanian Yiddish programs, heritage tours, Holocaust survivor advocacy, and much more.

The Institute will also work to counter the reemergence of anti-Semitic trends in the region (including Holocaust revisionism and "Double Genocide"), and will be a stalwart and loyal advocate for the surviving Litvak communities in the region and the world.

Read more at:

http://www.litvakstudiesinstitute.org/

Jewish Library

Photo: Žilvinas Beliauskas  

An American Christian of British and Irish descent (!) has embarked on an ambitious project to create a Jewish library in Vilnius, whose legendary Jewish community was virtually wiped out during Holocaust.

Wyman Brent a 47-year-old Baptist , is using his own funds to build the library, but his project is backed by a corps of supporters ranging from British historian Sir Martin Gilbert to the co-founder of the US National Organization for Women, Sonia Pressman Fuentes. Also the Lithuanian authorities are now backing Wyman’s plans and have offered space and cooperation for his library project.

If all goes according to Wyman’s plans, the library will have a collection of 200,000 books, plus CDs and DVDs, and will serve as a venue for concerts, art exhibitions, poetry readings and lectures.

The library currently has no permanent home, but it already has around 5,000 items, which will eventually increase to around 200,000. It is expected to open to the public second half of 2010 and will likely be based at Gedimino Avenue 24, the building that houses the Vilnius Small Theatre.

An interesting feature for the Jewish library is that the books do not necessarily have to be about Jewish topics, and Wyman explains his ideology as follows: “If the book is by a Jewish author, it can be on any topic, whether it has a Jewish theme or not. If the book is by a non-Jewish author, whether it is fiction or non-fiction, the topic must have some Jewish connection as long as it is not anti-Semitic.”

All books will be in English so as to draw in the greatest possible number of users.

He returned to Vilnius in 1995 and has lived here for long periods of time since then, since 2008 permanently. “Vilnius is the place I plan to live for the rest of my life,” he explains.

“Another reason for choosing Vilnius is that it was a centre of Jewish culture and learning, known as the Jerusalem of Lithuania. With more than 100 synagogues and prayer houses, and with so many Jewish newspapers, it was a city which spread Jewish thought around the world.”

Nevertheless, he points out, there is an undercurrent of anti-Semitism in Lithuania today.

“I am not the king of the world and I can never end anti-Semitism, but if I can open a few minds to the beauty of Jewish culture, I will have done my part to make the world a better place.”

Read more at:

http://balticreports.com/?p=19332

SU JONINĖM!

Happy Midsummer!

How to Celebrate a Lithuanian Midsummer

 Contributor

By Maria Scinto, eHow Contributing Writer

Midsummer Day in Lithuania is a celebration of the Summer Solstice as well as being a holy day sacred to St. John, but the real festivities take place on the evening prior to the date itself. On the night of June 23rd throughout Lithuania, people come together to celebrate Saint Jonas' Festival, also known as Jonines, Kupolines or Rasos.

Step 1

Select an outdoor place in which to hold your party. Decorate your party space with fresh flowers and, if possible, raise a pole covered with flowers and herbs. Make garlands of fresh flowers and ribbons to be worn by all of the young girls and unmarried women present.

Step 2

Build a bonfire if at all possible. Lithuanian tradition calls for a tall pole crowned with a wooden wheel that has been soaked in tar or filled with birch bark, but you may have to make do with a small fire built in a fire pit or even candles. Whichever form of fire you use, if there is a member of your party named John, Jonas, or another similar name, that person should be the one to light it.

Step 3

Play Lithuanian music and encourage guests to sing Lithuanian songs if they know any. Lithuanian folk dances are also traditional, but if you do not know any of the old songs or dances you can still get a book of Lithuanian folk or fairy tales and reads some of them out loud to set the mood.

Step 4

Set out a feast consisting of traditional Lithuanian foods. Kugelis, the baked potato pudding that is the Lithuanian national dish, is pretty much de rigeur, and your guests may also enjoy such dishes as Skilandis (a smoked sausage-type meat), Salti barsciai (a cold soup made from beets), Cepelinai (potato dumplings with a ground meat filling), Vedarai (potato sausage) and Bulviniai Blynai (a type of potato pancake). Poppy seed cakes (Pyragas Su Aguonomis) and honey cakes (Meduoliai) make for an enjoyable, traditional dessert.

Step 5

Look for Lithuanian beers such as Utenos, Svyturys and Kalnapilis, Lithuanian Stumbras vodka, and Anyksciu Vynas wine. If you're the do-it-yourself type, you might like to try brewing up a batch of Lithuanian honey mead (Midus) or even Gira (also known as Kvass), which is made from fermenting this and that, usually bread, but sometimes other items such as barley, cranberries or caraway seeds. Caraway seeds can also be used to brew up a tea for non-drinkers, as can linden blossoms should you be able to acquire any.

Step 6

Take part in special Lithuanian Midsummer traditions like hunting for the magic fern blossom at midnight. This fern blossom, which should be gathered up in a silk handkerchief, is said to make the bearer wise, rich and happy, but is nearly impossible to find as it is guarded by monsters and witches. Another Midsummer game involves having unmarried girls and women float their flower garlands downstream (should you have access to a suitable body of water) to determine the length of time until they get married--the farther their garlands float, the sooner they will marry, supposedly. Yet another custom involves jumping over the bonfire and if the festivities go on all night long, revelers should be sure to wash their faces in the morning dew as they find their way home.

Read more: How to Celebrate a Lithuanian Midsummer | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4443202_celebrate-lithuanian-midsummer.html#ixzz0rZrzzi9x

Lithuanian Midsummer

The holiday, in fact, is not the Midsummer Day, June 24, but the evening and night preceding it. The holiday coincides with the summer solstice. At the beginning of the 20th century it was observed all over Lithuania, now it is more popular in the northern and central parts of the country. Although St. John the Baptist occupies a very important place in the hierarchy of saints, the Church does not attach any great importance to the celebration of his nativity, which falls on the Midsummer Day. It is a festival of simple people, connected with the veneration of fire. Young girls adorn their heads with flower wreaths. A tall pole with a wooden wheel soaked in tar or filled with birch bark is hoisted at the top of the highest hill in the vicinity. Men whose names are Jonas (John) set the wheels on fire and make bonfires around it. In some places a second pole is hoisted with flowers and herbs. Young people dance round the fire, sing songs about rye, play games, men try to jump over the fire. The burning wheels on the poles are rolled down the hill into a river or a lake at its foot, men jumping over it all along. On the Midsummer Day people weed the rye and burn all the weeds.

On Midsummer Day's morning witches acquire special powers, they drag towels over the dewy grass to affect cows' milk. To save their cows from the witches' magic farmers shut them in cowsheds for the Midsummer Night and stick bunches of nettle in the door to scare the witches away. On Midsummer Day cows are driven out to pasture in the early after- noon when there is no more dew on the grass. Horses, however, are left to graze in the open throughout the night, or the witches magic has no effect on them.

Midsummer Day and the time immediately preceding it is believed to have special powers. Medicinal herbs collected from June 1 to the Midsummer Day can cure 12 (some say 99) diseases. There are girls who save their Midsummer Day's wreaths all the year round. Great importance is attached to the Midsummer Day's fire. Its embers are brought home to make the hearth fire, and its ashes are spread in the fields.

There are numerous stories about the fern, which comes into blossom in the thick of the woods on Midsummer Night. He who finds a fern blossom becomes a wise, rich and happy man. But it is not easy to find a fern blossom, for horrible monsters and witches try to scare everybody away so that they could snatch the blossom themselves. Everybody who wants to find a fern blossom must know that only nine-year-old ferns can burst into blossom, that it is necessary to spread a silk kerchief under the clump for the blossom to fall onto, to draw a circle around oneself with a rowan stick hallowed in church, light a candle and pray in defiance of the monsters around. The blossom that drops onto the kerchief looks like a speck of gold. It is best to saw it under the skin of a finger or the palm, then nobody will steel it from you.

Young people play games all through Midsummer Night until sunrise or until dew falls out, Girls float wreaths on rivers to find out their prospects for marriage. The farther their wreaths float the sooner they will get married. It is also very important which bank the wreath will stop at. Sometimes a burning candle or a bowl filled with burning tar is fixed in the middle of the wreath. A great number of Midsummer Night's superstitions and customs are similar to those observed on Christmas Eve. A girl will marry the man whom she will see in her dream walking along the straw placed across the bowl of water under her bed or who will dry his face on the towel placed beside her bed. The future husband will come from the direction in which she notices the first bonfire on Midsummer Night.

On the eve of Midsummer Night people adorn the wayside shrines which contain figurines of St. John. They also honour all Johns they know. This they do in various ways, for example, by fixing a wreath of oak leaves around his door. This is usually done in secret and the man thus honoured must guess whose job it was (or catch him doing it) and give him a treat.

The research done by the author of the present book in the past five years has convinced him that the customs of Christmas Eve and Midsummer Night, which coincide with the winter and summer soltices, are very closely connected. Sometimes the Christmas Eve table is covered exclusively with the hay mown just before Midsummer Night. Superstitions and customs of the two feasts are very similar. Christmas Eve customs are dominated by darkness, veneration of death and the dead, expectation, feeding of birds in a cart wheel, running round the house with a bowl of pudding, walking round the orchard. Those are all symbols of time. The summer soltice - Midsummer Night - is dominated by symbols of the sun, such as burning cart wheels hoisted high on poles which are adorned with wreaths of herbs and flowers, symbols of growth. In honour of the sun the fire from the bonfires is brought home to light the hearth, the fields are sprinkled with ash. Later these customs blended with those of Easter. The lighting of bonfires is the privilege of men who are called John. Sometimes it is the privilege of the oldest of all Johns in the vicinity. Those and other details in the celebration Of Midsummer Night testify that in the pre-Christian period Midsummer Night was celebrated as a feast of the sun.

VERITAS ODIT MORAS

version of Oedipus. It means “Truth hates delay.” 

The old ‘truths’ no longer apply. But are there new ones? Truth hates delay.

Aage Myhre

Editor

THE VILLAGE VOICE…

VilNews starts today a new series of articles under the heading 'The Village Voice'. The articles will be written by a retired Englishman, David Holliday, who for the past fifteen years has lived with his wife Migle in the village Lapiai 30 km from Klaipeda. I think you, dear reader, will come to appreciate

David's many subtle tales and stories from his life out there – so far off the beaten track ...

Around the castle hill 

July 1995

My life here in Lithuania revolves around my home in the country.  To many it would be a bore, but for me it is the perfect life and I could wish for nothing better.  This morning, as always, I walked the dogs around the valley and, as always, Blondie ran off into the woods.  I stopped off by the river to see if the overnight rain had had any effect.  It had, but not much and we need more.  This spring of 1995 was abnormally hot and dry and they say that there has been nothing like it since records began.  Farmers have been hard hit again this year and yields all round will be very low.  There are still signs of beaver activity on the riverbank and there are several dams in our stretch of river, which runs for about a kilometre.  Our neighbours have erected a fence in front of their cattle fodder to stop the beavers pinching it at night.  It seems to have worked for there haven’t been any raids for the last few days.  I want to put a sign up on the fence saying “Beavers!  Food round the back of the fence”.  But Migle says that it might not go down well with Povilas, because it might work and put our friendship in jeopardy!

I normally walk the dogs all around the valley, but at this time of year the grass is very high and I get soaked tramping through it.  Tomorrow (or the next day) I will go round with the trimmer and cut a swathe through it.  On the way back from the river I stop off at the alpinarium for a look.  Actually it’s an enormous pile of rocks, which were pulled out when we excavated the pond last year.  Some of them are nearly chest height and weigh several tonnes.  Together they cover an area half the size of a tennis court.  In England they would cost £100 each in the garden centres.  Anyway, we call it an Alpinarium as we are working towards it.  Migle has planted some flowers and shrubs and it is my job to weed and to water and it’s got to be done today!  Yes dear.  It’s going to be another exciting day and I can’t wait to get started.  But first a cup of breakfast!

Migle and I married at the Registry Office in Ashford in front of the home crowd on New Year’s Eve 1993.  I took early retirement in March 94 and made sure that we got married before I left, for reasons which you and I know, but which Migle remains blissfully unaware of!  In the meantime we bought a three room flat in the centre of Klaipeda for £8,000 and had it refurbished and modernised for about another £2,500.  The flat is comfortable and right in the centre of Klaipeda next to the old town. It overlooks the river Danes and between the river and us is a park with a decorative water fountain.  All very comfortable, but not much to do in the winter.

We had an artist friend we met in town and from whom I used to buy the odd piece.  One day in the summer of 1995 he invited us out to his country house about 30 km form Klaipeda in the village of Lapiai.  It is a lovely situation on the side of a hill.  The house was being built and the foundations were in place.  Meanwhile, as is the way out here, he had built the outhouse first, so they could live there while the main house was being done.  He has about a hectare of land (2.5 acres), just down the slope below the village school.  It was a lovely day and we sat outside and chatted well into the night.  In those days I had to communicate in Russian and that made it rather difficult for the locals who all wanted to lapse into Lithuanian.  I remember during the course of the evening that Migle said that we were looking for a place in the country as well.  We went home and thought no more about it.

A few weeks later in early summer, Migle had a phone call.  It was Vytas our artist friend.  He said that there was a small farm in the village, which had come up for sale.  Did we want to have a look?  Did we ever!  We drove out again at the weekend and parked in his drive.  Vytas explained that the farm was in the valley down the hill about a kilometre further on.  It belonged to an old lady whose husband had died about three years ago and who wanted to sell up.

We walked down the hill and into the valley.  At first we chatted in Russian so I could join in, but quickly changed to Lithuanian as Vytautas (Vytas for short), Eugenija his wife and Migle moved ahead slightly.  The first farm at the bottom of the hill has a good position within a stone’s throw of the river.  I knew it wasn’t the one for sale as it was too close to the hill.  We followed the river around the bend and the next farm came into sight over the growing corn.  I could see several out buildings, including the large barn, some beehives and the inevitable outside toilet painted “s” brown.  Again, it looked attractive, but I didn’t really think it would be the one, so I didn’t fantasise too much.  Sure enough, we kept on the little road and moved on round the corner and down another rise.  And there in front of us about 300 m away in the distance was this beautiful sight.  The house and farm buildings stood on a knoll in the centre.  The river ran some 200 m to the right.  Beyond the buildings were open fields and then the castle hill dating back to the 14^th century.  To the left more grassland before the ground began to rise up to the woods at the side of the valley.  From where we stood the house was on the right and was painted pastel green.  To the front and facing towards the river there was a rickety glass conservatory covered in ivy or vines.   Standing a few yards from the verandah were two magnificent old spruces and perched on top of the furthest of them was the biggest stork’s nest you have ever seen!  We walked closer along the lane, which led towards or past the house.  All heads were turned to take in the unfolding view.  Nobody wanted to stare, but everyone wanted to look.  For it was certain sure that we were being watched.

Here we stopped for what seemed an age as they chatted and I began to move ahead, impatient to see what would lie round the next bend.  But when I turned back, they were gone!  I rushed back to the river and saw them a little way ahead and walking back the way we had come.  I ran up to them and said in English “Migle, why are we going back?”  She said, “This is the house.  This is the one we are coming to see!”  I said, “But why did we walk past it and down to the river?”  She said, “Well, we just wanted to see the view from the river and get the feel of the place and see all the land that goes with it”.

I can’t explain how happy I felt then.  It was a defining moment in my life.  The first date, first solo and maiden century all rolled into one!    Migle said, “You stay here and we’ll go in and talk to the old lady.  If she knows you’re a foreigner the price will go through the roof!”

I went back to the bend in the river and sat down on a rock by the water and listened to the music of the river and the birds.  They could talk for as long as they liked.  I wasn’t going anywhere!  This was where I was going to live!

July 1995

I wasn’t going anywhere!  This was where I was going to live!

THIS WALL! 

Photo courtesy of Rima Jasiukonis Raulinaitis, California.

In a week it is 23 years since he held his famous 'Brandenburg Gate' speech, where his appeal to the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev was: "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" 

We will over the next few months bring more articles about what has happened with Lithuania and other nations that lay east of the infamous Iron Curtain after these countries around 1990 finally could celebrate their new-found freedom - after 50 years of merciless oppression.

The article below, which deals with Reagan's life and his importance to the fall of the Iron Curtain and the huge developments Eastern Europe has experienced since that time, is written by Vin Karnila, associate editor of VilNews.

You, dear readers, are hereby invited to indicate YOUR views!

Aage Myhre

Editor

Text: Vin Karnila

6 February 1911, in Tampico, Illinois, John/Jack and Nelle (Clyde Wilson) Reagan celebrated the birth of their new son Ronald Wilson Reagan. Little did they know that this child would grow up to be a renowned TV and screen actor, the 33^rd Governor of California, the 40^th President of the United States and ultimately one of the most prominent people in the global fight against communism?

While the month of February marks the beginning of President Reagan’s career, the month of June marks two other important events of this influential world leader. Sadly, 5 June 2004 marks his passing. 12 June 1987 marks the date Ronald Reagan delivered his famous “Tear down this wall” speech at the Brandenburg Gate, near the Berlin Wall. The speech was a part of the ceremonies commemorating the 750th anniversary of the city of Berlin. While standing in front of what had become to be known as an international symbol of the blight communism was to all societies in the world that cherished freedom, Reagan challenged Gorbachev, then the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, to tear down the Wall and open the Brandenburg Gate as a symbol of Reagan's desire for increasing freedom in the Eastern Bloc.

His most notable quote from the speech;

Mr. Gorbachev -- Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtYdjbpBk6A

Another memorable quote from the speech;

 “As I looked out a moment ago from the Reichstag, that embodiment of German unity, I noticed words crudely spray-painted upon the wall, perhaps by a young Berliner (quote):

 "This wall will fall. Beliefs become reality."

Yes, across Europe, this wall will fall, for it cannot withstand faith; it cannot withstand truth. The wall cannot withstand freedom.”

It is the opinion of many that this speech, while not the initial spark that lit the fires that burned for freedom, for these fires had been burning for many years in many countries in Europe, was the catalyst that turned the fires of freedom into a raging inferno that would engulf all of Europe and eventually lead to the final actions resulting in the restoration of freedom for millions of people in many nations.

As the 40^th President of the United States, Ronal Reagan became affectionately known as “The Great Communicator”. The man had incredible ability to convey his messages. While Ronald Reagan could use his oratorical powers to fight communism in very dramatic fashion, his communication skills and his wonderful charisma also allowed him to use some very amusing antidotes and stories as a part of his arsenal in his fight against communism.

One of Reagan’s favorite stories concerned a man who goes to the Soviet bureau of transportation to order an automobile. He is informed that he will have to put down his money now, but there is a 10-year wait. The man fills out all the various forms, has them processed through the various agencies, and finally he gets to the last agency. He pays them his money and they say, ‘Come back in 10 years and get your car.’ He asks, ‘Morning or afternoon?’ The man in the agency says, ‘We’re talking about 10 years from now. What difference does it make?’ He replies, ‘The plumber is coming in the morning.’

As with all great leaders there can always be some controversy. Ironically for Ronald Reagan, his greatest controversy came from his efforts to fight communism, specifically his “Reagan Doctrine” instituted in 1983.

The “Reagan Doctrine” was used to characterize the Reagan administration’s 1981-1988 policy of supporting anti-Communist insurgents wherever they might be. In his 1985 State of the Union address, President Ronald Reagan called upon Congress and the American people to stand up to the Soviet Union that he had previously called the “Evil Empire”

 "We must stand by all our democratic allies. And we must not break faith with those who are risking their lives on every continent"

President Ronald Reagan’s foreign policy broke from the doctrine of “Containment,” established during the Truman administration and was based on John Foster Dulles’ “Roll-Back” strategy from the 1950s. This policy called for the United States to actively push back the influence of the Soviet Union . Reagan’s policy differed, however, in the sense that he relied primarily on the overt support of those fighting Soviet dominance. This strategy was perhaps best summarized in the NSC National Security Decision Directive 75. This 1983 directive stated that a central priority of the U.S. in its policy toward the Soviet Union would be “to contain and over time reverse Soviet expansionism,” particularly in the developing world.

 As the directive noted:

 "The U.S. must rebuild the credibility of its commitment to resist Soviet encroachment on U.S. interests and those of its Allies and friends, and to support effectively those Third World states that are willing to resist Soviet pressures or oppose Soviet initiatives hostile to the United States, or are special targets of Soviet policy."

To that end, the Reagan administration focused much of its energy on supporting proxy armies that were fighting to curtail Soviet influence.

As I stated, the “Reagan Doctrine” still remains as one of the most controversial aspects of Ronald Reagan’s service to the United States and to the world. While doing some research to get some specific dates for this article, I somehow came across a BLOG that had ongoing postings regarding the “Reagan Doctrine”. In this one posting a person had went on and on and on and on about all the people and countries that the “Reagan Doctrine” had opposed and how Reagan should have left his nose out of other country’s affairs, etc, etc. Reading all this I was thinking that WOW twenty seven years later there are still people ranting and raving about this!!! What really caught my attention was the response to this person’ BLOG posting – It read simply “Instead of talking about all the people he opposed why don’t you talk about all the people he (Reagan) supported”

Well here are some comments from some of the people Ronald Reagan supported;

"Czechs should not forget that Ronald Reagan is one reason that they are enjoying their present freedom."
-Czech Daily Newspaper "Mlada Fronta Dnes"

"His [Reagan's] consistent championing of freedom contributed decisively to overcoming the division of Europe and Germany. We Germans have much to thank Ronald Reagan for"
-Former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl

 "Somewhere at the turn of the 1980s a number of politicians and others at different points on the globe began moving towards a single goal: the overthrow of the murderous communist system that had the blood of 200 million people on its hands. Reagan was one of the world leaders who made a major contribution to communism's collapse."

"President Ronald Reagan will be remembered in the hearts of all Latvians as a fighter for freedom, liberty and justice worldwide"
-Latvian Pesident Vaira Vike-Freiberga

And from a man that will go down in history as being one of the greatest leaders of Lithuania, one of the people that not only Lithuania but much of Europe can thank their regained freedom for and a man that will be remembered as one of communism’s greatest opponents

"A man died who believed in freedom and changed the world. This is President Ronald Reagan, to whom Lithuania is grateful and will remain grateful for his firm resistance to the Evil Empire, giving us an opportunity for us to regain our freedom and return to democracy."
-Former Lithuanian parliamentary Speaker Vytautas Landsbergis

We have much to thank Ronald Wilson Reagan for. Not only Lithuania and all Lithuanians living throughout the world but all the people of all the countries that suffered for so long under the dark cloud of communism that was forced upon them. It would almost be impossible to list every person, who in their own way fought to remove this dark cloud that blocked the light of freedom from too many parts of the world. What we can do though is honor and give our thanks to some of the people that emerged into the world’s spotlight to oppose communism’s oppression and help restore freedom to so many people in so many countries.

I will leave you with one more quote from “The Great Communicator” and ask you to think of what you can do to preserve freedom for the next generation.

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same."

Su pagarbe

Vin Karnila

Associate editor

SOUND OF MUSIC!

Summer in Vilnius means music of all kinds and categories…

Boom-Boom Terasa (Vilnius Street 41), from the 19th of June to the 24th of July.

Summer in Vilnius means music of all kinds and categories. If you walk through the Old Town one evening this summer you can be sure to hear jazz, rock, folk or classical music pouring out of the many courtyards, restaurants and concert venues. 

We have below reproduced the programmes of three of the festivals that will take place throughout most of the summer - the first a brand new festival, while the other two have been going strong here since the 1990s.

At the bottom of the page there is also a YouTube reference to a very touching song from the times when Vilnius Old Town was dominated by Litvaks and their distinctive music and songs in Yiddish language. Truly worthwhile listening to…

Aage Myhre

Editor

OTHER SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVALS

http://www.vilniusfestivals.lt/index.php?page=apie_en

LITHUANIA – A HAVEN

OF TOLERANCE?

(Armenian proverb)

I hear about, and I would very much like to see a far more open and tolerant attitude from many groups of the Lithuanian population. It worries me to see that violence, robbery, fraud and economic crimes continue to plague this country. It worries me to see that neo-Nazism, anti-Semitism and homophobia do not seem to subside. Sometimes I feel as though the repressed anger that developed during the many years of Soviet oppression, later mismanagement by corrupted leaders, and finally the financial crisis that has hit this country so extremely hard, now seems to burst out into a sad and worrying sort of ‘retribution’ within certain groups in the population and among some individuals. I am genuinely concerned that this country, that was once characterized by tolerance between races, religions and cultures, now stands on the brink of an internal ‘upraise’ characterized by aggression, xenophobia and lack of interpersonal love and respect.

The gay pride parade which took place in Vilnius two weeks ago, was in my opinion a step in the right direction towards a more open and democratic Lithuania. Admittedly, it took considerable pressure for the march to be permitted, which to us from West Europe, today seems incomprehensible. But the march took place, in spite of protests and attacks by neo-Nazis and others, and that is a good sign. And to compare these two 'movements' in today's Lithuania, I quote a friend:

“Neo-Nazis march to show who they hate. Gays march to show who they love.”

'The gays' is a recurring theme when I meet Lithuanian friends. Those of my friends who are strongly linked to the Catholic church, always persistently claim that the Bible does not accept homo-sexuality. My answer is usually that on this and all other areas there are different interpretations and perceptions of what the Bible and other religious Scriptures actually say. I also tend to remind my friends of a phrase from another Bible verse (John 8:7), which for me is far more important:

"Let the one without sin cast the first stone." 

I am not trying to say that homosexuality is a sin, only that one should be careful to judge others for anything in life. I also agree with what Arturas Bakanauskas says in his letter to the editor below, that "…if more Lithuanians understood that for many or most gays, homosexuality is not a choice, but something they live with as best they can, the general public would accept it better.”

Another group of my friends belong to the more liberal category. They claim to have nothing against the fact that some people prefer sex with their own gender, but what they cannot accept is that the gays seem to have such a great need to demonstrate this orientation openly through parades, etc. My answer is that those with homosexual orientation through their parades are getting more focus on the problem of lack of acceptance and recognition from society and government, and I also think these kind of parades give the gays a good opportunity to get rid of some of the frustration they must feel in not being fully accepted in this country. I also tend to mention that gay parades in western countries usually are very colourful shows that makes one feel happy. To make people laugh and smile is also not to despise, or?

In his book, God’s Playground a History of Poland Part II, British historian Norman Davies states:

 “Throughout nearly all its history, Lithuania was more tolerant of Jews and other minorities than most of the neighbouring areas.” 

Let’s have those times of acceptance and tolerance back again…

Aage Myhre

Editor

"Let the one without sin cast the first stone."

DO UNTO OTHERS…

A REPORT FROM THIS YEAR’S ‘BŪKIME KARTU’

Text and photos Aage Myhre

and volunteers from Lithuania’s international community gathered at a farm 26 km north of Vilnius.

‘BŪKIME KARTU’, here with a few of the many happy children – at the entrance to the farm and the event.

international companies, institutions and embassies. Joy and happiness are the hallmarks of the day!

Thanks a lot!

“Būkime kartu 2010” was the 9^th annual event under the umbrella of Vilnius International Club where disadvantaged children from the Vilnius area and volunteers from different organizations gathered together to spend a whole day out, since 2005 in Zina Gineitienė’s ecological farm located 26 km north of Vilnius in the village of Melkio.

Another truly amazing day, full of fun and emotions, came to its end Saturday afternoon at 16:00 this wonderful 15^th of May 2010…

Aage Myhre,

VilNews Editor – VIC President

‘BŪKIME KARTU’ ORGANISER SINCE 2001

NOW IS THE TIME TO REGISTER AS SPONSOR AND VOLUNTEER…

 NORWEGIAN AMBASSADOR KAARE HAUGE AND HIS WIFE AASHILD HAUGE

IT’S AGAIN TIME FOR ‘BŪKIME KARTU’!

from orphanages and other institutions gather at an ecological farm 26 km north of Vilnius.

“Būkime kartu 2010”: A happy event

Tomorrow, Saturday the 15^th of May will be painted in bright colours when representatives from foreign embassies, private companies and public institutions led by HE British Ambassador in Lithuania, Simon Butt, will invite more than 100 children from orphanages to the event “Būkime kartu 2010”.

“This event is not just about helping the orphanages. The idea of “Būkime kartu 2010” is to give a more important thing to the children – personal attention and care. Volunteers, some of whom are foreigners, from various organizations such as embassies, private companies and public institutions will spend their time playing, having lunch and sharing knowledge with those kids. Our goal is to make a wonderful and unforgettable day for them” – explains Ambassador Simon Butt, the patron of the event.

This year’s participants will enjoy many outdoor activities such as archery, horse riding, a bouncy castle, face-painting, team games, picnic and others. The magician Olegas Rimanas will perform a magic show. The fire brigade, police and customs officers will demonstrate some of their equipment and vehicles. The day will be flavoured with traditional Mexican food and desserts of a kind that children love.

Despite the difficult economic situation various organizations have generously offered their support to the event. It is sponsored by COWI Lietuva, Deloitte, EWMD, International School of Law and Business, Lithuanian Archery Federation, Medicina Magna, Multi dora, Pentland, Radisson Blu Astorija, Reval Hotel Lietuva, Rimi Lietuva, Statoil Lietuva, The Teachers' House, Tres Mejicanos, Vilties akimirka and Ūkio banko lizingas and others.

“This has been the best day of my life – we hear this phrase from participating children every year since 2001. It is the best evaluation of our efforts and the reason for us to continue this enjoyable initiative” – adds Mr. Aage Myhre, President of Vilnius International Club and the main project coordinator.

“Būkime kartu 2010” is the 9^th annual event under the umbrella of Vilnius International Club where disadvantaged children from Vilnius area and volunteers from different organizations gather together to spend a whole day out, since 2005 in Zina Gineitienė’s ecological farm located 26 km north of Vilnius in the Melkio village. The event will take place from 9.00 AM to 4.00 PM. The total number of participants – kids and helpers – is expected to reach 250.

LITHUANIAN PRESIDENT

OF COLOMBIA?

was born 25 March 1952 in Bogotá. His parents were Lithuanian immigrants.

He is a mathematician, philosopher, and politician.

The story of Antanas Mockus is fascinating. As you will see from the below Washington Post story, Mr. Mockus might become the new president of Colombia, but it is not the first time that this Lithuanian immigrant has caught the world’s attention. He has earlier been mayor of Colombia’s capital, Bogotá, for two (non-consecutive) terms, during which he became known for springing surprising and humorous initiatives upon the city's inhabitants. These tended to involve grand gestures, including local artists or personal appearances by the mayor himself — taking a shower in a commercial about conserving water, or walking the streets dressed in spandex and a cape as Supercitizen. The impact of Mockus on the development of Bogotá is described in a documentary film released in October 2009 with the title CITIES ON SPEED - Bogotá Change. It is promoted as being "the story of two charismatic mayors, Antanas Mockus and Enrique Peñalosa who, with unorthodox methods, in less than 10 years turned one of the world's most dangerous, violent and corrupt capitals into a peaceful model city populated by caring citizens. With Mockus and Peñalosa and key members of their staff as first hand witnesses, the film uncovers the ideas, philosophies and strategies that underlie the changes in Bogotá and which are now being exported to cities worldwide."

Politically astute outsider Mockus making ground in campaign for president of Colombia

By Juan Forero

Washington Post Staff Writer 
Friday, May 7, 2010

"I don't want to run a government laced with hate," he said. "The guerrillas may make me indignant, and I will fight them. But I will not hate them."

FLOWER POWER!

In the 1960s, several new suburbs started developing in Vilnius, and it is today

estimated that more than 70% of the city’s population lives in blockhouses.

Above: View from Antakalnis towards the (by then) new district Žirmūnai.

Photo: Antanas Sutkus, 1964

Many foreigners think that the majority of townspeople in Lithuania live in dreary grey Soviet blockhouses. They are right, but of course only to a certain extent. What most people in the West do not know, though, is that the Lithuanians and other peoples in Eastern Europe are living a double life. For while blockhouse apartments in the urban peripheries are the city dwellers habitat through the winter months, the gardens houses take over as the families’ main homes once the snow is gone. These gardens are in Lithuanian language called a ‘sodas’ and the very garden house a ‘sodo namas’.

Most garden houses are built on land plots just outside the cities. Most were built during the Soviet era, when many city dwellers were given free land by the authorities. This principle is well known in the west, as the so-called allotment gardening principle, but while it has a limited scope in the west, it is in this country and other East European countries very popular and widespread.

Allotment gardens are characterised by a concentration in one place of a few or up to several hundred land parcels that are assigned to individuals or families. In allotment gardens, the parcels are cultivated individually, contrary to other community garden types where the entire area is tended collectively by a group of people. The individual size of a parcel ranges between 500 and 1000 square meters. The individual gardeners are normally organised in an allotment association.

The 1980s saw the peak of the ‘sodas’ boom with virtually every affluent family in the country having a ‘sodas’ of their own or spending weekends and holidays at friends' ‘sodai’. Often ill-equipped and without indoor plumbing, garden houses were nevertheless the ultimate solution for many working class families to having an inexpensive summer retreat. Having a piece of land also offered an opportunity for city dwellers to indulge themselves in growing their own fruits and vegetables.

The collapse of the Soviet Union saw the return to private land ownership. Most gardens have since been privatized and Lithuania is now one of the world nations with the largest number of owners of second homes. The growth of living standards in recent years allowed many ‘sodas’ owners to spend their discretionary income on improvements. Thus, many recently built ‘sodo namia’ are fully equipped  houses suitable for use as permanent residences. The market-oriented economy transformed the ‘sodas’ into an asset, which generally reflects the prosperity of its owner and can be freely traded in the real estate market.

It was in the 1960s that the allotment gardens outside the major cities of Lithuania really took off. My in-laws

garden ('sodas' in Lithuanian) is a very good example. Their 'sodas' has over the past 30 years evolved

into an incredibly lush, green oasis where family and friends very much enjoy the summer months.

My in-laws were among those who were allocated a land plot outside of Vilnius. Here, they have over the last 30 years developed a truly wonderful oasis of fruit trees, vegetable fields, berry bushes and a fine garden house that has gradually become more and more a house you really can live in the year around.

This is a garden where it really grows during the

summer months - in greenhouses and in the fertile soil.  

It is when I come out to my in-laws garden that I really understand that Lithuanians at the bottom of their hearts are genuine farmers who know how to cultivate the rich Lithuanian soil into marvellous harvests.

It is out here I think I'm starting to understand more of the folk soul of this country.

– is always the most popular ‘sodas’ meal. 

There are those who say that Lithuanians are cold and unapproachable people. But those who say that have never been on a visit to a 'sodas'. For here is rife not only for flowers, but also people. When you come out here you will experience unique friendliness, neighbourliness, and much good humour. You will smell the food cooking in the fireplace fires or out on the many ‘saslykai’ barbecues. You will hear laughter, and in the evening you will see family after family unite around the dinner tables to enjoy the food that was just prepared on the flames, along with newly picked, fresh vegetables, berries and fruits.

What could be better than enjoying a tasty garden meal with good friends?

My children love their grandparents' garden. Here they can run happily barefoot in God's free nature.  Here they can play with their many good friends from last summer. Seen through children's eyes who cannot wait to have the season’s first dive into the river, the Neris River not far away, offers a quiet pool which is very well suited to swimming when the ice has gone and the temperature outside has become blazingly high.

It is not always easy to explain why Lithuania is such an incredibly special place on this Earth. But words are not really necessary if you first get out to a 'sodas' area outside one of the nation's cities. Do not miss the opportunity. Summer is here. Right now…

Aage Myhre

Editor

My kids simply love playing in their grandparents’ garden oasis.

LOOK TO NORWAY 

When I came to Lithuania for the first time, almost 20 years ago, the country's political leadership was in the process of drafting the new law book that would be the legal framework for the modern democracy this country was supposed to become after all the years of Soviet occupation. Our small delegation from Norway suggested that one simply could translate our Norwegian legislation, of a free and functioning democracy, but Lithuania's politicians chose not to follow our advice, and used instead many years to develop their own laws. This country's leaders have, for better or worse, an extensive belief in their excellence and ability to reinvent the wheel even when it would have been so much easier to seek advice and help from good neighbours. 

Many Norwegian delegations have appeared over the 20 years that have elapsed since that time. They have come and gone without seeing the relationship between Norway and Lithuania thus has become particularly warm or close. In several instances, I know that the Norwegians have travelled back home, headshaking. One example is the delegation that three years ago came here to give advice on how Lithuania could solve its energy situation after the closure of the Ignalina nuclear power plant. The energy nation Norway was not listened to, and we all know what is now the situation in this country. 

But it's not too late to seek cooperation with Norway, in many areas, and I encourage Prime Minister Kubilius and his government to take such a chance seriously this time. Norway is one of the world's richest countries, and also a neighbouring country that in many fields can both understand and help to find solutions to the many challenges still facing Lithuania. The telephone conference between our two foreign ministers (see below) might serve as a new beginning of an improved climate of cooperation, and I sincerely hope that Lithuania now seizes the opportunity to develop a systematic structure for a very close cooperation with Norway.

The time of emergency and aid is over. Now we need pragmatic, bilateral action.

A good and close cooperation must naturally involve benefits to both parties, and I can imagine many areas where that may be possible. Let me mention a few: 

ENERGY

Norway is an energy nation of world format; in oil, hydropower, wind power, solar energy and energy efficiency. Lithuania is in the process of developing their own systems, but could move infinitely faster forward by collaborating with Norwegian companies and institutions. 

INDUSTRY

I see it as likely that many Norwegian companies could outsource much of their production to Lithuania. What we need is a skilled professional, who knows Lithuania’s opportunities in manufacturing, who can travel around Norway to discuss possible cooperation projects with Lithuanian companies.

SHIPPING / OFFSHORE

A Norwegian friend of mine produces fittings for ships and oil platforms here in Lithuania. His company has also teams of Lithuanian workers who travel around the world to furnish ships or platforms. An area that could have been expanded to a considerable extent and scope.

AGRICULTURE

In the interwar years Denmark and Lithuania competed to be leaders in northern European agriculture. Today, agriculture in countries like Denmark and Norway at a very high level, whereas Lithuania desperately needs new investment and new technology. A collaboration with Norwegian farmers and agricultural organizations could come to mean endlessly much in this process. 

FISHERIES

A Norwegian friend of mine is the director of a fish factory in Klaipeda. The owner is the Bornholm company Espersen. The factory was built new in Klaipeda's Free Economic Zone a few years ago. Now an extension of the factory is underway. This is an excellent example of how Lithuanian labour can do a good job for a company that processes fish for European markets.

TOURISM, COURSES AND CONFERENCES

I am convinced that Lithuania would attract many more Norwegian tourists if they had a person or a group of professional sales people that toured throughout Norway with presentations of what Lithuania has to offer. Not least, this applies to the training and conference sector, which is incredibly large in Norway. Lithuania should clearly be able to come up with very attractive and competitive offers. 

Another example: The Reval hotels in Lithuania are Norwegian-owned, and a close collaboration with the owner, the Linstow group, should be investigated further. 

SCHOOLS

But there is much that can be further developed in many levels and learning areas. 

HEALTH

A very large number of Lithuanian physicians and other health professionals are today working in Norway. Maybe there could be an idea if one instead tried to find forms of cooperation between Norwegian and Lithuanian health care so that this country would not be completely drained for health professionals for the benefit of rich Norway? Norway has a very important task to fulfil in this aspect, and it should be imposed on Norwegian health policy makers to take this issue far more seriously.

CULTURE, SOCIETY

During my visit to Lithuania in January 1991, while the Soviet troops surrounded the Parliament and the TV tower in Vilnius, our Norwegian delegation brought with us a letter from Oslo's mayor confirming that Oslo was ready to be Vilnius' first sister city in the west. Later, many Lithuanian and Norwegian cities, municipalities and counties have established friendship agreements. But in most cases only with words, little action. 

Now is the time for action. 

I hope PM Kubilius and his government this time will understand that Norway is a land of opportunity.  Also as Lithuania's closest friend and ally. A comprehensive and professionally planned cooperation plan on many levels should now be prepared.

We have no time to lose. 

Aage Myhre

Editor

LITHUANIAN SOUTH AFRICA

Text and photos: Aage Myhre

It is considered that around 90% of the approximately 80,000 Jews living in South Africa are of

Lithuanian descent (the so-called Litvaks), which thus constitutes the largest pocket of Litvaks

in the world! You are hereby invited to learn more about this unique Jewish community that

still holds Lithuania alive in their hearts, museums and synagogues.

For the tens of thousands Litvaks who came to South Africa during the years 1860 –

1940, the Cape Town harbour was the first glimpse they had of their new homeland.

The Jewish Museum in Cape Town is more Lithuanian than Lithuania itself.

Click here to read more about the exceptional history of the Litvaks in South Africa :

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vjw/South_Africa.html

Jeanette completed an MA in Film Production at the University of Bristol, UK, in 2000 and, upon returning to South Africa, realised that the only way to make a film was to get out there and do it. And so, with the support of friends and other grassroots filmmakers, she made Krisimesi, also exploring children’s unique perspectives, which has, in its different versions, screened at various international film festivals and won several awards. She teaches film and has a production company with Matthys Mocke.

During my meeting with Jeanette she told me much about her so far only visit to Lithuania. She told me about when she came to Kaunas to try to find the house where her ancestors lived, and how nervous the woman who now lives in the house became when Jeanette knocked on the door, and the fantastic three days that followed when she and the woman, a known Lithuanian artist, afterwards sat down in mutual trust and dialogue…

Honorary Consul of Lithuania, Johannesburg

Honorary Consul of Lithuania,  Cape Town

Honorary Consul of Lithuania, Pretoria

Rietavas and the

Kaplan family

Dear Mr Myhre,

I thank you for your correspondence on Riteve and your complimentary remarks about our family.

When President Landsbergis was surrounded by tanks and holed up in parliament I visited him with my wife and friends in the building and established a very warm relationship.  I hope he is still well and I remember the fact that his wife was responsible for saving a number of Jews during the Second World War.

Yours sincerely

Mendel Kaplan

in today’s Rietavas (August 2009).

Lithuanians settling in

South Africa

after1990

LITHUANIAN FOOTPRINTS

IN THE WORLD SOILS

(and vice verse)

Aage Myhre

Dear VilNews Readers, 

If all goes as planned, we will once or twice per month over the year ahead (maybe years) take you on some phenomenally fascinating footprint journeys. The destinations are located around the globe, in all continents, as well as various places in Lithuania. 

The objective and goal for each journey will be to find footprints and traces of Lithuania - at different locations around the world - as well as traces of foreign influence, activities and peoples here in Lithuania. 

I think many of you will be astonished learning more about the huge variety of distinctive Lithuanian footprints existing in the soils of almost every corner of our world, as well as the many exceptionally interesting traces of other countries peoples and cultures here in Lithuania. 

Some of the footprints are centuries old and sometimes hard to spot after having been exposed to wind, weather and sometimes conscious or unconscious oblivion.  Others are clear, visible and significant even today. 

Common to all the prints is that they help to tell the story of a wonderfully fascinating nation and a people that during the past millennium have been through so unbelievably much, for better and worse.  Though the Lithuanian people are really not just one people but a facetted range of people from many very different nations and cultures. 

Lithuania is a nation where only about 50% of the population lives in the very country, while the other half is scattered throughout all corners of the earth. But those who live outside the country are of course as much Lithuanians as the present residents, and it is perhaps now time to combine the international and local Lithuania into a unique, powerful unification? Maybe is it now the right moment to start significant bridge-building, reconciliation and renewed cooperation? 

One side of the case is the human, cultural and historical aspect. Another aspect is that there are so many sharp minds out there that should all now, immediately, be invited to participate in restoring and developing a solid, united Lithuania. 

I hope VilNews can be of some help, not only to identify and describe footprints, but also in bridging some of the gaps.

Our objective is to provide a forum and a voice for the international Lithuania. Many of you are already active contributors to this multilateral task, and I hope this is just the beginning of a dialogue and a cooperation that can be further enhanced over the years to come.

Today I invite you to South Africa (see attachment), and I think it will amaze many of you to learn that there are so many extraordinary and outstanding Lithuanian footprints and stories to find there, so far away from the motherland, at the completely other side of the globe... 

Editor

* The production and release of our 'footprint issues’ will depend on how successful we will be in raising share capital for the planned JSC 'VilNews'. So far, the development looks rather good, but I will once again urge you all to consider investing in this planned media company. We are targeting a worldwide group of around 50 individuals, groups of individuals, organisations, and entities, each investing $2,000 as shareholders of the company. The shareholders will also be invited to function as a resource and response group for VilNews.

The whole point is that VilNews should represent a broad and solid group of Lithuanian related people and entities from all parts of our earth, so that we together can contribute to the improvement of our common, international Lithuanian nation on a broad and smart basis.

We are currently only interested in principle feedback, and expect no binding commitments before a detailed business plan is presented.

RESPONSE FROM ALGIS RATNIKAS IN CALIFORNIA

You may add me to your list of potential investors. I think that your Internet media idea is very timely, very exciting and could garner large support from the sizeable Lithuanian diasporas. An expanded VilNews project could include features from Lithuanians and notes on Lithuanian events from around the world. It could also promote contacts for travelers, cultural events and performances, and tie in to the activities of the widespread state diplomatic embassies.

There is great potential here. Good luck.

Algis Ratnikas

Timelines of History

California, USA