Paper short abstract:

The report deals with the Holiday of Assumption. It embody different values in different cultural settings: As a Christian holiday; as Lithuanian National holiday in 1929; as Lithuanian holiday specifically celebrated in Punsk (Poland) since 1967; as nonworking day in Vilnius from 2000.

Paper long abstract:

The Day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into Heaven has long history of celebration in Christian world. In traditional rural environment of Lithuania it has tradition of the blessing of fruits, vegetables and flowers in the church. Also, the holiday was associated with various folk beliefs and traditions. So it was one of the most important holidays in Lithuania.

Assumption was celebrated as a main Lithuanian National Holiday in 1929. Due to political, economic and other reasons government decided to "combine all national holidays into one - Assumption". Such decision was related with "less busy time for farmers". Festival was celebrated only one year.

Assumption was specifically celebrated in Punsk parish (Poland) involving the weaving of the Assumption garlands from the 1967. The tradition of the woven garlands performed by youth from Lithuanian villages, and garlands quite often embody Lithuanian national symbolism.

Assumption as Lithuanian non-working day was declared in 2000. But as my fieldwork showed this festival did not become popular among young people in Vilnius. Even 67% of the respondents did not celebrate it at all. The most popular explanation is that the respondent does not know how to celebrate it (data of my fieldwork in Vilnius 2015-2016).

So holiday can embody different sociocultural values in different cultural settings, from Holy, National, Ethnic festival to "nonworking day without a clear reason to celebrate".