Cultural Identity Preserved for the Future

Marija Remiene is the Director of the Lithuanian American Community, Inc. Cultural Council.

The LAC Cultural Council: seated from left - Regina Jautokaite, Marija Remiene, Violeta Drupaite; standing from left - Loreta Venclauskiene, Dalia Anysiene, Dalia Sleniene. Missing from photo: Juozas Zygas.

The new nine-member Cultural Council was formed January 1st, 1998. It includes the following members: Marija Remiene - president; Violeta Drupaite - secretary; Dalia Anysiene - treasurer; and members Regina Jautokaite, Dalia Sleniene, Loreta Venclauskiene, as well as Laima Petrauskaite-Vanderstoop and Laima Sileikyte-Hood for special projects.

Cultural Events for 1998

The following highlight some of the cultural events that the Cultural Council was instrumental in arranging during the first part of 1998.

• January 11: a very successful concert was organized and took place at the Lithuanian World Center in Lemont, Illinois. It featured local musicians from the Chicago area: soloist Praurime Regiene and violinist Linda Veleckyte, accompanied by Alvydas Vasaitis. This was in commemoration of those who lost their lives during the tragic events of January 13th, 1991 in Vilnius.
• February 22: a literary program in honor of the late poet Henrikas Nagys was held in the art gallery of the Lithuanian World Center. A recording of the poet's own voice, along with the voices of his wife Birute and his sister Liune Sutema, also a poet, as well as that of Audre Budryte who recited his words, brought him to life once again. A musical interlude was given by Alvydas and Valdas Vasaitis. Egle Juodvalke presented an analysis of the poet's work.
• April 15: saw the first of four concerts in the Chicago area by the group, "Klumpe" (The Wooden Shoe) from Punsk, Poland. This 19-member Lithuanian capella also performed in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Cleveland, and in several Canadian cities. This project was launched and financed by the Cultural Council.
• May 22-23: the revival of the traditional spring Poetry Days was greeted with enthusiasm. Poetry readings were given by Bernardas Brazdzionis, Julius Keleris, Daiva Karuzaite and Vainius Aleksas.
• September 19: a book of poems written by Dr. Antanas Lipskis from Lithuania and an exhibit of his pictures were presented at the art gallery at the Lithuanian World Center in Lemont.

The Cultural Council has been instrumental and active in many events throughout the year. Mrs. Remienė ttended the signing of the Charter of Partnership between the United States and the Baltic States along with the other members of LAC's Executive Council, met with the Archbishop of Kaunas, Sigitas Tamkevicius, concerning Christianity in Lithuania, and, along with Laima Sileikyte-Hood, attended the Folklife Festival's opening ceremonies in Washington, D.C. Ms. Sileikyte-Hood helped to organize Lithuania's exhibit for this Festival.

Along with sponsoring and organizing events, the Cultural Council aids other groups and organizations with cultural matters. The Lithuanian Embassy in Washington and Camp Dainava have solicited the Cultural Council's help in the past. Lithuania's Minister of Culture, Saulius Saltenis, and the Cultural Council have exchanged information and continue to work to present cultural events in association with Lithuania's writers, artists, and performers.

Information for Local LAC Chapters

A seven-page circular dated February 10 was sent out to local chapters of the Lithuanian-American Community listing persons of note, such as artists, poets, soloists, musicians, lecturers, etc to help organize cultural events at the local level. A video of Pres. Valdas Adamkus's electoral campaign was made available, and 65 historical photographs were also provided and promptly made use of by the Phoenix, Arizona and Elizabeth, New Jersey chapters.

A second circular was sent out July 5th asking local chapters to send information about events in their area, such as concerts and other literary and commemorative gatherings which could then be printed in the newspaper Draugas's cultural events column.

Two new videos are available - "Klumpe's" program and Bernardas Brazdzionis's poetry reading of "The Poet Returns".

The year 1999 will mark the 100th anniversary of the death of Vincas Kudirka, author of the Lithuanian National Anthem. The Minister of Culture, Saulius Saltenis, has promised to send two or three people to the U.S. to lecture and/or recite in commemoration of this anniversary.

On-Going Cultural Projects and Upcoming Events

The Lithuanian press is highlighted in September through the end of the year for its contributions to preserve Lithuanian-American culture via the print media. To help boost subscriptions, al new subscribers will receive a discount and the difference will be covered by the Lithuanian Fund. In addition to supporting the Lithuanian press, the Lithuanian Fund, based in Chicago assist individuals chapters who sponsor cultural events, such as Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Dayton.

Participants during the Poetry Evening were, from left - Poet Bernardas Brazdzionis, LAC President Regina Narusis, LAC Cultural Council President Marija Remiene, and LAC Human Services Council President Birute Jasaitis.

Other projects include the recording of an oral history with Laima Petrauskaite-Vanderstoop as coordinator. On November 28th, five awards for outstanding cultural contributions will be presented at a ceremony held in Cleveland, Ohio. Five categories have been designated with a committee to judge each: outstanding musician, journalist, artist, educator, and radio broadcaster. The awards will be financed by the Lithuanian Fund. On November 29th, a dramatic production by the Telsiai, Lithuania drama group will be performed at the Jesuit Youth Center in Chicago, Illinois.

A Bonus to New Subscribers

BRIDGES
LAC, Inc. Treasurer
1927 W. Boulevard
Racine, WI 53403 $15.00

DARBININKAS
341 Highland Blvd.
Brooklyn, NY 11207 $20.00

DIRVA
P.O. Box 19191
Cleveland, OH 44119-0191 $25.00

EGLUTE
13648 Kickapoo Trail
Lockport, IL 60441 $10.00

LIETUVIU BALSAS
2624 W. 71st. St.
Chicago, IL 60629 $20.00

LITUANUS
6621 S. Troy St.
Chicago, IL 60629 $8.00

PASAULIO LIETUVIS
6428 Ridge Rd.
Clarendon Hills, IL 60514 $10.00