Events

The fantasy play Žemaitėjė.
What is the best way to understand the portrait of an ethnocultural region? Perhaps historical and documentary material, or myths and folk wisdom, or maybe the archives of internet forums and the slogans of political parties? The creative team behind the performance "Žemaitėjė" conducted a comprehensive artistic and historical study to help us better understand what Samogitia means to the modern inhabitants
of Lithuania. Why not some other region? History shows that Samogitia was the most autonomous region in the past, having the status of a duchy. Scientists are researching and comparing the unique heritage of the Samogitians with other regions, poets write in the Samogitian dialect, and the Year of Dialects encourages us to learn about the Samogitian dialect, which enriches the Lithuanian language. However, even today, there are people who think that Samogitia should repeat history, secede, and become an independent state… Of course, before that, the Samogitians would have to agree on which of the four versions of the region's flag is the most correct.
While conducting their artistic research, the creators of the performance encountered Samogitian folk art masters and folklore enthusiasts who find it difficult to understand why modern children no longer want to play the birbynė. The authors of Žemaitė suggest that in order to preserve, conserve, and pass on something to future generations, we must first understand the value of those traditions. In order for ethnographic songs and dances to become an integral part of everyday life and national identity, rather than a one-off, exotic performance at the Song Festival, we must find a new way to talk about our past.
"We feel that our generation's attitude towards traditions and ethnography is very different from that of our parents and grandparents. We have doubts about whether everything needs to be preserved and cherished; we want to adapt traditional elements to the modern world in some way. There is much more to the Samogitian heritage than just the dialect and unique language, but how much do we know about it? Should we be satisfied with the portrait of Samogitians presented to us by Dviračio žinios?" asks Ieva Pakštytė, co-author of the play.
The dramatic basis of this fantasy play is reinforced by the scientific research and publications of Lithuanian historians and ethnographers on the history and traditions of Samogitia, whose analyses greatly expand our knowledge of what Samogitia is. However, this historical information will take on mystical and mythical forms on the theater stage, filtered through the personal experiences of a young person. It is important for the creators of this fragmentary, mosaic-like performance to seek their own relationship with the place where they live – Samogitia.
"My mother and grandmother are true Samogitians and speak the Samogitian dialect, but I grew up on the border – in Šiauliai, so Samogitian traditions are not so deep-rooted in my everyday life. Meanwhile, Ieva grew up in Jonava, but has been living in Samogitia for a long time. It is interesting and important for us to analyze how we could strengthen our ties with Samogitia," says Rugilė Latvėnaitė, co-author of the performance.
The performance welcomes not only Samogitians, but also people from Aukštaitija, Suvalkija, Dzūkija, and Mažoji Lietuva – there will be relevant questions and unexpected discoveries for everyone.

Director: Darius Rabašauskas
Actresses: Ieva Pakštytė and Rugilė Latvėnaitė
Set designer: Rūta Venskutė
Lighting designer: Julius Kuršis
Composer: Gytis Šimelionis