Anniversary of 410 years of Founding the Town of Lazdijai

It came out this year that traditional-international celebration „Border feast“ coincided with a 410 year anniversary of foundation of Lazdijai Town. This time it exceeded former celebrations not only in significance of awardings of mayor Artūras Margelis and deputy Benius Rūtelionis, but also in abundance of spectators and performers. Unfortunately, this year Galadusis Lake was much meaner for the fishermen gathered than last time…

On the first day of the feast a Lithuanian folk tale “Egle Queen of Grass-Snakes” was staged on the bank of the lake. Spectators saw a „suite“ from the Republics of Poland and Byelorussia, who came not only in waggons, but also riding horses. Everyone was greeted by Member of Parliament Jurgis Razma and Minister of Agriculture, professor Kazimiera Prunskienė, Chief of Punskas Vytautas Liškauskas, mayors of other local administrations of Lithuania, directors of administration, other respectable guests. Music went on until a huge fire was burning and lighting up both sides of Galadusis in Lithuania and Poland. The fishermen were preparing their boats and spinnings for early morning fishery the next day…

The following day festal din left the fishers alone and moved to Lazdijai Town, various performances alloted for the 410 anniversary started in many places at a time. These were street basketball matches 3×3 on Lazdijai Independence Square, exhibition of photographs „Sights Talking of the Past“ at Lazdijai Public Library. It was possible to visit an exhibition „We will not Forget You“ at Lazdijai Land Museum. In the evening a solemn concert started in the town park, among participants there was a military brass band, singers, musicians and dancers of an international children and youth national dance festival „Open a Dance Chest“; also a youth folk dance collective from Alytus Dainava Secondary school, leader Rita Čižienė, a youth dance collective from Birštonas cultural centre, leader Birutė Brazdžiūtė, a youth folk dance collective from Panevėžys, Juozas Balčikonis gymnasium, leader Kristina Nainienė, and a folk dance collective “The Youth” from Lentvaris Motiejus Šimelionis Secondary school, leader Rima Blikertienė. A folk dance collective “Vildukas” from Vilnius Geroji Viltis Secondary school, under the leadership of Jūratė Urbonienė, brought together a panpipers ensemble, leader Žydrūnė Matulevičienė. Guests from abroad also introduced their national dances and songs, this was a dance collective “Kristaliki” from glass factory “Neman” in Beriozovka City, Gardin district, the Republic of Byelorussia, leader Žana Lebedevič. A folk songs and dance ensemble from Seinai Town cultural centre in the Republic of Poland, choreograph Cezarij Andrulevič, prepared a new dance programme, specially for the feast of our town. Our closest friends also participated in the celebration, that is a choreographic group “Jotva” from Punskas Lithuanian cultural centre, leader Kornelija Janušonienė. Undoubtedly, there were also some local performers, a youth folk dance collective from Lazdijai cultural centre, under the leadership of an initiator of the festival Janina Dereškevičienė, and the festival was closed by a folk dance collective “Plait” from Šakiai „Varpas“ Secondary school, leader Vitalija Vainienė.

Later on everyone enjoyed not only presents of the sponsors, flowers and traditional „dance chests“. The young were dancing eagerly while a united countryside orchestra and orchestra from Pivašiūnai in Alytus region were playing. Among the guests there was a group „Rondo“ and a singer Donata. Impressive fireworks, not ever seen by residents of Lazdijai Town nor guests, lit up the sky as if reminding of Lazdijai people, who are celebrating a town feast together with their closest neighbours.