National Minorities in Lithuania, a Study Visit
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Lithuanian Religious and Ceremonial Terms of Semitic Origin: the Phenomenon of Azazel
Etnolingwistyka 29 Lublin 2017 I. Rozprawy i analizy DOI: 10.17951/et.2017.29.257 Rolandas K r e g ž d y s (Vilnius, Lithuanian Culture Research Institute) Lithuanian religious and ceremonial terms of semitic origin: the phenomenon of Azazel The article deals with the so-called phenomenon of Azazel, i.e. the scape- goat icon, examples of which can be found in the Dictionary of the Lithuanian Language and in dialectal sources. Its relics are also traced in three-day Shro- vetide rites before the Lenten fast, which begins on Ash Wednesday (Shrove Tuesday in Lithuania), and in the Easter feast from Piev˙enaiin Samogitia (the histrionic so-called “Easter Jews” vigil on the night before Easter). Using different methods of investigating cultural realia, i.e. cross-cultural comparison and linguistic analysis (based on the inner and external reconstruction (or historical) methodology), two main types of religious terms of Semitic origin registered in the Dictionary of the Lithuanian Language and dialectal sources are identified: (i) Hebraisms with neutral or hereditary connotation; and (ii) pejoratives or semantically modified words with an anti-Semitic background. The paper also explains the origin of the xenophobic elements of the Easter feast, the way it has been celebrated in Piev˙enaiuntil today. Key words: Azazel/scapegoat phenomenon; religious terms; ceremonial terms; Hebraism; pejorative; semantically modified words Introduction: a short prehistory of the origin and purport of the scapegoat or Azazel icon The mythonym of Azazel or Hazazel (Azael, Azozel)1 is traditionally explained as an appellative of one of the chiefs of the 200 fallen angels 1 The exact meaning of the proper name is ambiguous: 1. -
The Baltic Crusades. the Lithuanian Conflict Part V. Samogitia Erupts
History of the Crusades. Episode 300. How did that happen? The Baltic Crusades. The Lithuanian Conflict Part V. Samogitia Erupts. Hello again. Last week we saw relations between the Teutonic Order and Grand Duke Vytautas of Lithuania deteriorate, following the failure of Vytautas to take Moscow and the subsequent imprisonment by Vytautas of the Orders former ally Svitrigaila. The deterioration of this alliance came at the same time as an alarming rise in unrest in Samogitia, as the taxation obligations imposed by the Order on the Samogitians saw anti-German sentiment in the region increase. While Grand Master Ulrich von Jungingen was nervously wondering whether Vytautas was about to prompt the Samogitians into another full scale uprising, King Jogaila of Poland decided to pile on more pressure by encouraging Rome to push the Teutonic Order into campaigns far away from the Baltic region, and by amping up claims by the Kingdom of Poland for contested lands in the border regions and in Pomerelia. Wisely, Grand Master Ulrich looked at this situation and decided that he'd better start preparing for war. He offloaded Gotland onto a satisfied Queen Margaret and commenced a series of rapid castle building and castle improving projects across Samogitia. Now, all may have been well, and war may have been prevented, if not for some extreme weather, which occurred during 1408, and the Grand Master's unfortunate reactions to the events which followed. The winter of 1407 to 1408 was unusually long, with cold, snowy weather remaining well into April of 1408. This meant that the growing season for 1408 would be dangerously short. -
KARAIMS: the IDENTITY QUESTION* the Name Karaims1
PRZEGLĄD ZACHODNI 2014, No. II PIOTR LUCZYS KRZYSZTOF RATAJ Poznań KARAIMS: THE IDENTITY QUESTION* The name Karaims1 derives from karaim, a Hebrew word meaning “the reading one”, “the calling one” and hence Karaims are also called “the people of Scripture”.2 But karaim also means “the detached”, “the disconnected”. The same word in Turk- ish means “black”3, “north”, or “poor”, which suggests Turkic origin of Karaims, namely from Khazars. Karaim dignitaries from the early 20th century popularised that version of the origin of Karaim people, however, that origin is not sufficiently documented.4 Thus the question whether Karaims were the followers of Judaism in Khazaria is frequently asked. In publications on history, such a religious faction is mentioned but it is not exactly clear whether it was of Karaims.5 This is hardly * This article was previously published in “Przegląd Zachodni” 2013, No. 3, pp. 93-116. 1 As many authors argue: “In Polish scientific (and popular) publications, followers of Karaism are referred to as karaimi [Karaims] and not as karaici [Karaites]”. Cf. M. Pawelec (2010), Niepojęty świat Karaimów?, “Awazymyz”, No. 3(28), http://www.awazymyz.karaimi.org/zeszyty/item/357-niepojety- -swiat-karaimow [accessed: 08.06.13]. This does not seem, however, to be a consistent terminological convention. Cf. B. Janusz (1927), Karaici w Polsce, Kraków. 2 R. Otsason (2004), Karaimi, in: Powszechna encyklopedia filozofii, Vol. 5, Lublin, pp. 487-489. 3 “At the end of the fourth millennium BC, the Iranian plateau was inhabited by tribes speaking a Turkish-Kipchak dialect of the Oghuz group. So far, the reasons for the migration of those tribes to eastern lands and, finally, to middle Mesopotamia have not been fully explained. -
The Lithuanian Jewish Community of Telšiai
The Lithuanian Jewish Community of Telšiai By Philip S. Shapiro1 Introduction This work had its genesis in an initiative of the “Alka” Samogitian Museum, which has undertaken projects to recover for Lithuanians the true history of the Jews who lived side-by-side with their ancestors. Several years ago, the Museum received a copy of the 500-plus-page “yizkor” (memorial) book for the Jewish community of Telšiai,2 which was printed in 1984.3 The yizkor book is a collection of facts and personal memories of those who had lived in Telšiai before or at the beginning of the Second World War. Most of the articles are written in Hebrew or Yiddish, but the Museum was determined to unlock the information that the book contained. Without any external prompting, the Museum embarked upon an ambitious project to create a Lithuanian version of The Telshe Book. As part of that project, the Museum organized this conference to discuss The Telshe Book and the Jewish community of Telšiai. This project is of great importance to Lithuania. Since Jews constituted about half of the population of most towns in provincial Lithuania in the 19th Century, a Lithuanian translation of the book will not only give Lithuanian readers a view of Jewish life in Telšiai but also a better knowledge of the town’s history, which is our common heritage. The first part of this article discusses my grandfather, Dov Ber Shapiro, who was born in 1883 in Kamajai, in the Rokiškis region, and attended the Telshe Yeshiva before emigrating in 1903 to the United States, where he was known as “Benjamin” Shapiro. -
The Ukrainian Weekly 2010, No.47
www.ukrweekly.com INSIDE: • Speech by Borys Tarasyuk at D.C. roundtable – page 6. • Election violations and falsifications in Ukrainr – page 8. • Program in New Jersey recalls “Kozak Glory” – page 13. THEPublished U by theKRAINIAN Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal Wnon-profit associationEEKLY Vol. LXXVIII No. 47 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2010 $1/$2 in Ukraine Citizens’ committee launched to ensure Tens of thousands protest proper commemoration of Holodomor Ukraine’s proposed tax code by Zenon Zawada Vasiunyk said at a November 17 press con- Kyiv Press Bureau ference. “To great regret, there isn’t an official KYIV – A citizens’ committee was offi- position from the government regarding the cially launched at the National University of format of commemorating this day after 10 Kyiv Mohyla Academy on November 17 to days,” he said. “We anticipate the govern- organize and make sure that the Victims of ment will publicize its position and publi- the Holodomor and Political Repressions cize those events which the government Remembrance Day will be commemorated plans or doesn’t plan to conduct.” in Kyiv on the last Saturday of November as This year’s events will be held under two per annual tradition. themes: that the tragedy was a genocide, The committee recruited many of which is underpinned by Ukrainian law; and Ukraine’s leading intellectuals (Ivan Drach), that the memory of the Holodomor cannot performers (Nina Matviyenko) philanthro- be erased. pists (Olha Bohomolets) and spiritual lead- The logo of the Citizens’ Committee to ers (Bishop Yevstratii Zoria of the Ukrainian Honor the Memory of the Holodomor- Orthodox Church – Kyiv Patriarchate) in Genocide Victims of 1932-1933 in Ukraine planning the day’s events, which had been consists of the Holodomor symbol depicted previously organized by the Presidential at the monument on St. -
NONVIOLENT RESISTANCE in LITHUANIA a Story of Peaceful Liberation
NONVIOLENT RESISTANCE IN LITHUANIA A Story of Peaceful Liberation Grazina Miniotaite The Albert Einstein Institution www.aeinstein.org 2 CONTENTS Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1: Nonviolent Resistance Against Russification in the Nineteenth Century The Goals of Tsarism in Lithuania The Failure of Colonization The Struggle for the Freedom of Religion The Struggle for Lithuanian Press and Education Chapter 2: Resistance to Soviet Rule, 1940–1987 An Overview Postwar Resistance The Struggle for the Freedom of Faith The Struggle for Human and National Rights The Role of Lithuanian Exiles Chapter 3: The Rebirth From Perestroika to the Independence Movement Test of Fortitude The Triumph of Sajudis Chapter 4: Towards Independence The Struggle for Constitutional Change Civil Disobedience Step by Step The Rise of Reactionary Opposition Chapter 5: The Struggle for International Recognition The Declaration of Independence Independence Buttressed: the Battle of Laws First Signs of International Recognition The Economic Blockade The January Events Nonviolent Action in the January Events International Reaction 3 Chapter 6: Towards Civilian-Based Defense Resistance to the “Creeping Occupation” Elements of Civilian-Based Defense From Nonviolent Resistance to Organized Civilian-Based Defense The Development of Security and Defense Policy in Lithuania since 1992 Concluding Remarks Appendix I Appeal to Lithuanian Youth by the Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuania Appendix II Republic in Danger! Appendix III Appeal by the Government of the Republic -
The Publication Has Been Organized Under Initiative of Šilutė District
The publication has been organized under initiative of Šilutė District Municipality and Tourism Information Centre, in order to provide information for easy access of the area, rich in its culture and nature. Šilutė district is in the western part of the Republic of Lithuania, with the Curonian Lagoon and Spit reaching the Baltic Sea. Šilutė district’s cultural heritage is different from the ones of other regions of Lithuania. Šilutė, Rusnė, Mingė, Kintai and Ventė are the settlements along the Lagoon, famous for many reconstructed buildings of earlier German architecture, and for its country homesteads. The publication is aimed for the cyclists, who choose to travel on the interval of the Nemunas Bicycle Route, which includes Usėnai – Šilininkai – Šilutė – Rusnė (Kintai). Part of the route goes on polders. Please take a notice, that this area is a borderland with the Kaliningrad Region of the Federation of Russia. Therefore you need to have your identification documents. Lithuania and especially the area along the Lagoon offer quite good conditions for cycling trips. The scenery is not too hilly, the roads are quite slow. The cyclists are suggested to choose the slowtrafffic, and some of the pedestrian tourist routes. Usėnai Usėnai is the municipal centre located 15 km south of Žemaičių Naumiestis at the railway “Klaipėda Pagėgiai”. The Veižas is the river of the village. The assembly of folk – sculptures, created by folk painters of the Samogitia (Lower Lithuania) region was built in Usėnai in 1976 m. It was dedicated to the soldiers of the 16th Lithuanian Division, who fought as a part of the Red Army in the war between the USSR and Germany. -
Karaims of the Crimea and Eastern Europe: Some Questions of Ethnicity and Identification
KARAIMS OF THE CRIMEA AND EASTERN EUROPE: SOME QUESTIONS OF ETHNICITY AND IDENTIFICATION Henlyk Jankowski The aim ofthis paper is to contribute to discussions on the ethnicity and national idcntification of the Karaims in the Crimea and Eastern Europe at the time of the current disintegration of historical communilies, accompanied by a decrease in the number of endogamous Karaim maniages as well as the loss of their language and religion. I. GENERAL Rf,MARKS Karaims are a recognised minority group, but the exact definition of what it is to be a Karaim is difficult to formulate. As is well-known, the nationality is a set of many components such as common origin, culture, language, identifìcation, some- times religion, which is especially important in the case of Karaims' The problem of Karaim religion and Karaim ethnicity must be regarded as a process trans- formed by the change of historical setting, political trends, individual feelings, and intemal and extemal factors, especially the conelation with Rabbanite Jews and Karaites. What is true for some attitudes and established facts in one period, may be untrue in another. What is applicable to one Karaim community, may be not applicabte to another. Karaims are an ethnic and religious group that emerged in the Crimea and spread out in Eastern Europe. Even if we admit the cohesion and common origin of the basic four communities of Troki (in Lithuanian Trakai, in Karaim Troch), Luck (in Polish [-uck, in Karaim [-ucka), Halich-Lvov (in Polish Halicz and Lwów, in Karaim Halic and Ilew - Ilow, respcctively) and the Crimea, after a few centuries of more or less isolated existence differentiation was inevitable. -
The Holocaust in Samogitia [LITHUANIA]
ALEKSANDRAS VITKUS, CHAIMAS BARGMANAS The Holocaust in Samogitia [LITHUANIA] ENCYCLOPEDIC STUDY Science and Encyclopaedia Publishing Center Vilnius, 2016 Content Preface / 6 Introduction /8 Kretinga County / 12 Maţeikiai County / 118 Raseiniai County / 164 Western Part of Šiauliai County / 264 Tauragė County / 286 Telšiai County / 386 The Klaipėda Region / 450 Abbreviations and Clarifications / 458 Personal Index / 460 Location Index / 476 Preface The history of Lithuania as a mosaic consists of jolly and merry, cruel and sinister events. Though, there are unpleasant facts for the history. One of them – the Holocaust in 1941. It is one of the most dramatic 20th century history chapter for Lithuania as Europe. However, it is better to hear all the truth once in order nobody could reproach that Lithuanians choose to forget it and Jews would be sure that they are not forgotten. "Collective responsibility does not exist – all of us can not take responsibility for the past and the Holocaust. Though, there is a historical responsibility which boundaries are much wider", - Klaipėda University DA Hektoras Vitkus tells about the Jewish genocide [1]. Thus, it is important to be acknowledged with the history of the Holocaust and to understand the point and reasons of it as well. This book is dedicated to a broad society because the massive Jewish massacre sites are included into the heritage register. We consider that every municipality and every eldership would like to know about the monuments in their region. It will also be important for the tour guides as well. People who are interested in regional studies and museology and collect information about their rural districts can supplement their knowledge. -
Burials in Samogitia in the 1St to 16Th Centuries: the Custom of Placing Grave Goods
VILNIUS UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE OF LITHUANIAN LITERATURE AND FOLKLORE LITHUANIAN ACADEMY OF MUSIC AND THEATRE Šarūnė VALOTKIENĖ Burials in Samogitia in the 1st to 16th Centuries: the Custom of Placing Grave Goods SUMMARY OF DOCTORAL DISSERTATION Humanities, Ethnology H 006 VILNIUS 2019 This dissertation was written between 2013 and 2018 in Institute of Lithuanian Literature and Folklore. The research was supported by Research Council of Lithuania. Academic supervisor: Prof. Dr. Vykintas, Vaitkevičius (Klaipėda University, Institute of Baltic Region History and Archaeology, Humanities, History and Archaeology, H 005). Academic consultant: Dr. Jūratė, Šlekonytė (Institute of Lithuanian Literature and Folklore, Humanities, Ethnology, H 006). This doctoral dissertation will be defended in a public meeting of the Dissertation Defence Panel: Chairman – Dr. Rasa, Paukštytė-Šaknienė (Lithuanian Institute of History, Humanities, Ethnology, H 006). Members: Dr. Rasa, Banytė-Rowell (Lithuanian Institute of History, Humanities, History and Archaeology, H 005). Dr. Vita, Ivanauskaitė-Šeibutienė (Institute of Lithuanian Literature and Folklore, Humanities, Ethnology, H 006). Dr. Ernestas, Vasiliauskas (Klaipėda University, Institute of Baltic Region History and Archaeology, Humanities, History and Archaeology, H 005). Dr. Aušra Žičkienė (Institute of Lithuanian Literature and Folklore, Humanities, Ethnology, H 006). The dissertation shall be defended at a public meeting of the Dissertation Defence Panel at 1 pm, on 06 juny 2019 in the conferences room of Institute of Lithuanian Literature and Folklore. Address: Antakalnio g. 6, Vilnius, Lithuania Tel. +370 85 2621943; [email protected]. The text of this dissertation can be accessed at the libraries of (Vilnius University, Institute of Lithuanian Literature and Folklore, Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre), as well as on the website of Vilnius University: www.vu.lt/lt/naujienos/ivykiu-kalendorius. -
Michael Tarelko: Review of Michał Németh, Unknown Lutsk Karaim Letters in Hebrew Script (19Th–20Th Centuries)
Karaite Archives 1 (2013), pp. 257–260 Michael Tarelko: Review of Michał Németh, Unknown Lutsk Karaim letters in Hebrew script (19th–20th centuries). A critical edition, Kraków: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego [= Studia Turcologica Cracoviensia 12], 2011, 416 pages The main purpose of this publication is to serve as a critical edition of the six- teen handwritten letters (eleven private and five public) written by the Lutsk Karaims in the period from 1841 till 1923 years. Firstly these documents were part of the collection of the Karaim temple (kenesa) in Lutsk. The building was damaged and robbed during the First World War. However at least a small part of the collection survived thanks to Aleksander Mardkowicz – a Karaim writer, poet and promoter of the Karaim language and culture (1875-1944). Later the manuscripts were included in the collection of the Karaim-born orientalist Józef Sulimowicz where they were catalogued and briefly described. It is not the first work of Németh dedicated to Karaim issues. Before the publication of this book he had already published a number of the articles on the subjects of the Karaim etymology, textual studies and dialectology. There- fore this book is a natural continuation of the author’s previous works. The language of the manuscripts is Lutsk Karaim (a sub-dialect of the south- western dialect) with Hebrew interpolations, except some short inscriptions in Russian and the manuscript catalogue number 54 consisting of the letter in Russian and the answer in Karaim. Six manuscripts are completely vowelled, 258 MICHAEL TARELKO six are not vowelled and the other four letters are partially vowelled. -
MAPS Telsiai
MAPS network Telšiai / IAP / Former Soviet Army camp Telšiai District Municipality 14/05/2018 Index Chapter 1 / Telšiai general context ................................................................................................................... 3 Chapter 2 / Baseline, introduction to the project area ..................................................................................... 9 Chapter 3 / Actions .......................................................................................................................................... 17 Chapter 4 / Funding scheme ........................................................................................................................... 20 Chapter 5 / Risks analysis (impacts) ................................................................................................................ 21 Chapter 6 / Monitoring system and Governace .............................................................................................. 22 Chapter 1 / Telšiai general context 1.1 General data Western Lithuanian region lying close the Baltic Sea is named as Žemaitija (Samogitia). Samogitia is an old, ethno-cultural region of Lithuania, which managed to preserve distinctive language and respect to the regional history and customs. Telšiai is situated in the Northern–Western part of Lithuania. Population in district is 43,922, population in Telšiai town – 23,974. Telšiai according Europe map Telšiai according Lithuania map Telšiai is the capital of Samogitia. Earlier town had a big industry