News

The 96th annual Lithuanian Days will have the usual amount of fun, culture, heritage and, of course, lots of great ethnic food. This year will also remember one of the most important historic events in the history of Lithuania and Eastern Europe.

Sponsored by the Knights of Lithuania Anthracite Council 144, Lithuanian Days will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday in the Schuylkill Mall., Frackville. This year's theme is "Lithuanian Language, Song and Dance," said Larry Domalakes, council president.

"We're going to emphasize the songs, dances and language of Lithuania," said Domalakes. "We're looking for people to come in to recite poetry."

Two very special guests will attend this year's celebration. At 12:45 p.m. Saturday, Brig. Gen. Frank J. Sullivan, director of the Joint Staff, Headquarters, Pennsylvania National Guard, Fort Indiantown Gap, will speak. He manages programs and operations for the 100-plus member joint staff and oversees issues that impact the 19,000-member Pennsylvania National Guard, which has a military partnership with Lithuania. The State Partnership Program is designed to develop closer cultural and economic ties between Pennsylvania and Lithuania. Also speaking on the Lithuanian Partnership will be Master Sgt. Ronda Fawber and Capt. Terri Sillman.

The new face of Lithuania entertainment will be seen through singer Robertas Kupstas. A native of Vilnius, the Lithuanian pop star will perform twice on Saturday and once on Sunday.

"He will be something quite different than what people are used to," said Domalakes. "He will perform traditional and modern music. This is going to be a current event type of thing. We're trying to show that Lithuania is not just the old stuff, but it's a living, breathing country that has current stuff going on. This is a big thing. We're happy to get him."

The celebration will also mark the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Tannenberg. The battle is also called the Battle of Grunwald. It was fought on July 15, 1410, as part of the Lithuanian-Polish-Teutonic War. The battle shifted the balance of power in Eastern Europe and marked the rise of the Polish-Lithuanian union as the dominant political and military force in the region.

The battle was one of the largest battles in Medieval Europe and is regarded as the most important victory in the history of Lithuania and Poland. It was surrounded by romantic legends and nationalistic propaganda, becoming a larger symbol of struggle against invaders and a source of national pride.

Also returning for Lithuanian Days is Lithuanian Partisans Living History Unit reenactment group from Baltimore. They will provide the color guard for the opening parade at 12:15 p.m. Saturday. The group will explain the underground struggle by Lithuanian freedom fighters for many years after World War II to fight the occupying military forces of the Soviet Union.

The Lithuanian Days celebration was started in 1914 by the Lithuanian Catholic Priests League at Lakewood and Lakeside parks to bring together Lithuanian immigrants and their families for a day of culture, fun and good fellowship.

Until the end of World War II, it was always held at the parks on Aug. 15, which is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a holy day of obligation for Catholics. Many coal mines closed so the people could go to Lithuanian Day.

After World War II, it was held on the Sunday closest to Aug. 15 to accommodate the young people who left the area for better jobs. As many as 25,000 people attended the festivities. Many prominent people attended and there was always a morning Mass followed by a program in the afternoon. It was held at Lakewood Park until the park closed, and then moved to Rocky Glen Park until that closed. Since then, the Schuylkill Mall has allowed the event to be held there.

All proceeds have been used for Lithuanian causes since 1914. In early years, it aided the Lithuanian religious orders in the United States.

After World War II, it aided Lithuanian displaced persons in the DP camps in Germany and helped many to immigrate to the United States.

During the occupation of Lithuania by the Soviet Union, it helped the underground in Lithuania and since independence, has aided with medical supplies, books and educational supplies to the poorest schools. Aid also went for orphan care and hospice, and to the elderly poor, many of whom returned from Siberia and have no incomes.

Currently, the main beneficiary of proceeds from Lithuanian Days is the Lithuanian Pontifical College in Rome and the council's humanitarian aid projects.

During both days of the festival, ethnic foods such as kugelis (potato pudding), bandukes (pork patties), pierogies, halushki, halupkis (blind pigeons or pigs in a blanket), kielbasi, cold beet soup, lapiene (spinach) soup and so much more will be available.

Lithuanian imported foods and artifacts, amber jewelry, woodcarvings, linens, candle houses, sashes, artwork, etc. will be available. A mini museum will display Lithuanian traditional arts and crafts and where people can learn about Lithuanian heritage and culture.

Domalakes thanked Schuylkill Mall manager Elaine Maneval for the cooperation the use of the mall.

BY JOHN E. USALIS