Paper short abstract:

The presentation will deal with the question of inventors/creators of “traditional” Lithuanian holidays. Different attitudes of these inventors toward the past and use of the past in creating and/or (re-)constructing of traditions connected with the annual holidays will be analyzed.

Paper long abstract:

The presentation will deal with the question of inventors/creators of "traditional" Lithuanian holidays. Different attitudes of these inventors (19th-the beginning of 21st c.) toward the past and use of the past (as well as corresponding ideological motivation) in creating and/or (re-)constructing of traditions connected with the annual holidays will be analyzed. Relation of those inventions with processes of actualization, nationalization and inheritage of particular annual holidays in Lithuania during different historical periods will be talked over as well. Impact of religion, dominant and resistant political ideology, mass-media, commerce, functions of different official cultural and public organizations on different levels (museums, scientific and educational institutions, folk ensembles, etc.), specific public groups and individuals in Lithuanian society in the context will be discussed.