Dancing, music, historical displays highlight 2nd day of 109th Lithuanian Days

Aug. 15—BARNESVILLE — The 109th annual Lithuanian Days celebration concluded Sunday with a range of activities highlighting Lithuanian history and culture.

Music, dancing, crafts, presentations, demonstrations, historical displays and an interactive folk play were among the highlights of day two of the popular event at Catalpa Grove at Lakewood Park, hosted by the Knights of Lithuania Council 144.

Near the entrance to the Catalpa Grove lodge, a unique exhibit known as "Vytis — Hallmark of Lithuania and Lithuanians" showcased a slew of signs and slogans bearing a stylized rendition of Vytis, Lithuania's coat of arms. The exhibit was created by Lithuanian-American artist Gintaras Karosas, who in 1972 started a movement to emblazon his version of the coat of arms — a mounted armored knight hoisting a sword and shield — on photos, badges and other artistic designs.

"We did this when I was young, when there was no hope for the country," Karosas said.

Karosas' design has since been adopted by the Lithuanian public as the most popular image of the historic Vytis symbol. It has appeared on Lithuanian trains, clothing, cars, souvenirs and even postage stamps, according to Karosas.

"Lithuania became independent (in 1990), and of course, they were using our coat of arms," he said, "because there was no alternative. The country was occupied for quite a while by the Soviet Union."

That the design came from one lone artist in Boston, where Karosas was based at the time, is a testament to the far-reaching spread of Lithuanians in America — especially in Schuylkill County, which has a higher concentration of Lithuanian-Americans than anywhere else in the country.

That concentration was on full display on Sunday, which continued in the vein of the previous day with hundreds of people gathered at the Lakewood site in celebration of all things Lithuanian.

Audiences in the Catalpa Grove lodge listened attentively as the booming baritone of Cleveland-based singer Eugene Dicevicius rang across the room. Dicevicius performed a number of popular Lithuanian songs including "If I Would Be a King" and "Coming Back Home."

The singer has performed numerous times at Lithuanian Days and always welcomes the opportunity to play at the Schuylkill County event.

"This place is fantastic," he said.

Audiences clapped their hands in rhythm as dance groups Malunas and Mituva performed a series of Lithuanian folk dances.

On the festival's outdoor stage, Karen Domalakes narrated an interactive play depicting the Lithuanian folk tale of Jūratė and Kastytis, a romance between a mermaid and a fisherman in the Baltic Sea.

Domalakes cast the play's principal roles on the spot, with children from the audience playing the titular characters and the Lithuanian gods Perkūnas and Bangpūtys.

"I do these plays so that the children can hear a Lithuanian folk tale they may not be familiar with," Domalakes said.

On another part of the Lakewood grounds, the reenactment group Banner of Jasna Gora provided a saber demonstration, with 17th-century warriors from the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth jousting and sparring with old rusted blades.

A film by the Mahanoy Area Historical Society showcased the history of the Lithuanian Days event, which began in 1914 at the adjacent Lakeside Park. The celebration eventually moved to the former Lakewood Park, where it was held until 1984 when the park closed.

"This was an amusement park," said Paul Coombe, a member of the historical society. "The adults would picnic and reminisce, while the children would go on the rides."

Sunday's event also featured performances by the Shenandoah All-Star Polka Band.

Food vendors offered several Lithuanian and coal region eats such as kielbasi, halupki, pierogies, banduke (Lithuanian meatballs), saltibarsciai (cold beet soup), lapine (spinach soup) and kugelis.

Looking ahead, the 110th annual Lithuanian Days event will be held Aug. 12 and 13, 2023, at Catalpa Grove at Lakewood Park.

Contact the writer: hlee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6085