The document summarizes important Lithuanian traditional festivals throughout the calendar year. Some of the major festivals mentioned include the New Year on January 1st, Independence Day on February 16th, Easter in April, Mother's Day on the first Sunday in May, Midsummer or the Feast of St. John on June 24th, Mindaugas Coronation Day on July 6th, the Assumption of Mary on August 15th, the beginning of the school year on September 1st, Teachers' Day in October, All Saints Day on November 1st, and Christmas on December 25th. Many of the festivals celebrate religious and historical events and involve family gatherings, decorating trees, and exchanging gifts.

1. The calendar of Lithuanian traditional festivals Lithuania 2011

2. 1st January New Year’s day The day of Lithuanian flag On the 1 st January, 1919 , Lithuanian volunteers raised Lithuanian national flag on the tower of Gediminas in Vilnius. It was the symbol of our freedom.

3. 16 th February Day of Restoration of Lithuania’s Independence The Act of Independence of Lithuania or Act of February 16 was signed by the Council of Lithuania on February 16, 1918, proclaiming the restoration of an independent State of Lithuania , governed by democratic principles, with Vilnius as its capital. The Act was signed by all twenty representatives.

4. 1 1th March Day of Restoration of Independence of Lithuania On the 11 th of March 1990, the Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuania adopted an Act on the Restoration of an Independent State of Lithuania.

5. 25 th April Easter Easter is the year's most solem fe stival in Lithuania. Easter is not only the fest ival of Christ's Resurrection, but also nature's awakening from winter's sleep.

6. 1 st May ( first Sunday ) Mo ther’s day Mother’s day in Lithuania is celebrated on the first Sunday in May. This festival is very old and has great importance. Children come to their families and give their mothers flowers and some presents in order to show their respect and love.

7. 24 th June F east of S t .JOHN From ancient times people marked the time of the return of the sun, the shortest night. The night of June 24th is the shortest night of the year, filled with bird sounds and luxuriant vegetation . In old times it was called the Feast of the DEWS. When Christianity was established in Lithuania, the name was changed to Feast of St. John, according to agrarian folk calendar, the start of haying.

8. 6 th July Lithuanian national festival, the first Lithuanian ruler king Mindaugas’ crowning day . The first and the only Lithuanian King Mindaugas was crowned on the 6 th of July, 1253 . Li thuanian K ing Mindaugas united Lithuanians and made one nation .

9. 15th August The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary This feast has a double object: the happy departure of Mary from this life and the assumption of her body into heaven . It is the principal feast of the Blessed Virgin .

10. 1st September The beginning of school year School year in all Lithuanian schools start on the 1st of September. It is a festival for all the teachers, students, and their parents.

11. 5th October Teachers’ day Teachers have an influencing role in the life of every student. In many schools and in our school too , students replace their teachers for one day. This day gives newer teachers an opportunity to express themselves and understand the teacher's profession better. The teachers of the school are allowed to visit classes and watch the lessons.

12. 1 st November All Saints Day All Saints Day in Lithuania is a solemn holiday. The 1 st of November is set aside as a day to recognize the souls of the dead as well as remembering the Saints of the Catholic Church.

13. 25 th December Christmas Lithuanian Christmas customs and traditions are very important. Preparations for Christmas start early in the morning on Christmas Eve: the house is thoroughly cleaned, all bed linen are changed, food is prepared for several days, water is heated and everyone bathes and dresses with clean clothes. Family members who are away make every effort to come home. Colourfully decorated Christmas tree is a symbol of this festival.

14. Thank you for attention! Created by Vilius Zukauskas, the student of 8 th grade and Lukas Kauneckas the student of 6 th grade Naisiai B asic S chool Lithuania 2011