Folk handicraft workshops

In March 2019, folk handicraft workshops for project participants began, they were organized in cooperation with the Lithuanian Ethnic Culture Association in the „Šimtavirvis” studios. The students took part in 10 workshop meetings during which they learned how to weave folk ribbons and acquired skills in the selection of appropriate colors and patterns that correspond to the Lithuanian patterns. The students had the opportunity to deepen their knowledge about Lithuanian folk traditions. Due to the epidemic situation introduced in 2020 and distance learning, the workshops were not organized systematically and were conducted in a sanitary regime, three people at a time. The last folk handicraft workshop took place on 10/28/2021. As a result, the participants acquired or deepened the skill of weaving folk ribbons . Two participants declare that they will continue to cooperate with the „Šimtavirvis” studio. Getting to know and creating folklore, learning about traditions and customs are activities that deepen the process of self-identification and develop a sense of national identity.

A trip around Sejny region

A secondary school in Pužsk, organised a trip around Sejny region, which was the occasion to visit places of historical importance for Lithuanians. Students visited the Basilica of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the post-Dominican monastery, the tomb of Bishop Antanas Baranauskas and the monument erected in his honor thanks to the efforts of local Lithuanians. The participants of the trip honored the memory of unknown Lithuanian soldiers at the cemetery in Sejny and Ber?niki. They also visited the Museum of Sejny Region and the recently created Lithuanian hall. The participants of the trip were also invited to visit the Consulate of the Republic of Lithuania in Sejny, where they met with the Consul and were acquainted with the activities of the consulate. The trip contributed to a better understanding of the history of our own nation.

Art competition

In June 2021, after the restoration of full-time education at the Secondary School in Pužsk, as part of additional project activities the final of the previously announced art competition entitled „My feelings for my homeland.” took place. There was organized an exhibition of the best works in the school hall. The competition allowed students to express and display their feelings for their homeland in an artistic way and the opportunity to develop their own skills, creativity in expressing feelings in a modernist way.

A visit to Vilnius

On October 26-27, 2021, 32 school students and and 5 teachers from Pužsk took part in a trip to Vilnius. Due to the pandemic situation in the world, only students with a valid Covid passport could take part in the trip. The trip was organized in an appropriate sanitary regime. The participants of the trip visited Vilnius, museums and valuable monuments which are the heritage of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The greatest attention was paid to the Gediminas Tower, which is the western tower of the Upper Castle in Vilnius, which was erected in the Gothic style on Gediminas Mountain in 1409 during the reign of Prince Vytautas. Participants also learned about the history and historical and cultural heritage of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania by participating in thematic workshops organized in the Lower Castle in Vilnius, which is a reconstruction of the former seat of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania and Polish Kings. During the trip, the participants of the project had also the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of the recent history of Lithuania during a visit to the TV tower, next to which tragic events took place in 1991, thanks to which Lithuania finally restored its independence. During the trip, the participants also visited the building of the Seym of the Republic of Lithuania. The students deepened their knowledge of the history of their ancestors and had the opportunity to strengthen their beliefs about their national identity.

The trip participants also visited MO Museum – a museum of contemporary art in Vilnius. Visitors took part in workshops developing creativity and understanding of various forms of contemporary art. Tour participants received full board and accommodation.

Cleaning the parish cemetery

On October 29, 2021 all students of the Secondary School in Pužsk took part in cleaning the parish cemetery and the graves of deceased school teachers and other distinguished people who contributed to the development of education and culture of the Lithuanian minority in Poland. The participants of the event received sweets and a hot meal.

Workshops conducted by the publishing house „Aušra”

On September 6-28, 2021 workshops with a representative of the publishing house „Aušra” were held for a group of students involved in project activities and interested in editing articles, photo processing and preparing materials for the album promoting the Erasmus + project „National Minorities treasure of Europe”.

Concert of the school choir and dance group and meeting with students, parents and teachers of Lithuanian primary schools from Sejny and Widugiery.

On October 29, 2021 at the end of all project activities in the Lithuanian House in Sejny, a meeting and a concert were organized to show the school’s achievements, its project activities and the importance of the school for the Lithuanian minority in Poland. After the concert, everyone was invited to have a snack and take part in a discussion on tolerance, problems and successes of national minorities in Poland, Lithuania and Europe. The discussion made it possible to strengthen young people’s sense of the need for continuity of tradition and its impact on shaping the sense of identity and self-identification, and to understand that propagating one’s own customs and traditions enriches the cultural mosaic of their countries of residence.