Paper short abstract:

The conference report intends to present an analysis of the ritual annual holidays of modern pagan religious communities and the changes in their rituals in Lithuania. Based on ethnographic research, newly organized celebrations, and emerging trends in performed rituals will be presented.

Paper long abstract:

All cultural phenomena inevitably change over time. Changes affect all areas of human life, including well-known "traditional" holidays. This report based on newly conducted ethnographic field research is planned to present the changes in ritual annual holidays in contemporary Lithuanian “native faith” communities. Recently introduced holidays (autumn and spring equinoxes, the festival of the love goddess Milda, the festival of the Sun, and others) will be described, as well as specific new ritual trends spreading in more “traditional” holidays (for instance, Midsummer celebration) in these communities and their celebrations will be discussed separately. The dissemination of new “spiritual practices” (yoga practices, gong music therapy, retreats, etc.) in communities and their annual holiday rituals will be represented. It is also planned to debate the reasons for this change. The impact of new holidays introduced by Lithuanian modern native faith pagans on the general concept and practice of Lithuanian traditional holidays will also be reviewed.