Lithuanian crosses and the spirit of place: Transmitting the spirit of place

Mikneviciene, Giedre and Nemuniene, Marija (2008) Lithuanian crosses and the spirit of place: Transmitting the spirit of place. In: 16th ICOMOS General Assembly and International Symposium: ‘Finding the spirit of place – between the tangible and the intangible’, 29 sept – 4 oct 2008, Quebec, Canada. [Conference or Workshop Item]

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Abstract (in English)

Various types of crosses, roofed pillar-type crosses, miniature chapels have been built in Lithuania since the ancient times. They used to be errected in cemeteries, churchyards, at crossroads, by the way sides, near farmsteads, on river banks, etc. In Lithuania cross crafting evolved into specific type of folk art. Little hills of the rural cemeteries with tall wooden crosses greatly contributed to the formation of the Lithuanian scenery. Single crosses, located all over the country, used to give peculiar spirit to the places. The Hill of Crosses near Siauliai is a phenomenal relict of this tradition. Everyone who visits the place, confirm that they really can feel a genuinely strong, mystical spirit there. During the years of the Soviet occupation, cross crafting was supressed and prohibited. At that time, in oder to keep up with the tradition, folk artists used to make carved pillars. However, the mystical spirit of the place was lost. Having declared the Independance, the tradition of cross crafting in Lithuania was let out like a genie from the bottle. The Lithuanian scenery is once again decorated with marvelous sacral works by Lithuanian folk artists, giving a special spirit of suffering, struggles and survival of the nation.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Authors:	Authors Email Mikneviciene, Giedre UNSPECIFIED Nemuniene, Marija UNSPECIFIED
Languages:	English
Keywords:	crosses; pillars; chapels; memorials; monumental crosses; spirit of place
Subjects:	E. CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION > 03. Monuments O. INTANGIBLE HERITAGE > 01. Generalities H. HERITAGE TYPOLOGIES > 19A. Places of religion and ritual
ICOMOS Special Collection:	Scientific Symposium (ICOMOS General Assemblies)
ICOMOS Special Collection Volume:	2008, 16th
Depositing User:	Jose Garcia
Date Deposited:	14 Sep 2010 07:44
Last Modified:	30 Aug 2023 13:50
References:	Brensztein, M. 1906. Krzyze i kapliczki zmudzkie. Materialy do sztuki ludovej na Litwie, Krakow. Buracas, Balys. 1998. Sacred arts in Lithuania, Vilnius: Publishing House of Seimas. Dundulien_, Prane. 1990. Ancient lithuanian mythology and religion, Vilnius: Mokslas. Gaizutis, Algirdas. 1998. Sacred arts in Lithuania, Vilnius: Publishing House of Seimas. Gimbutien_, Marija. 1958. Ancient symbolism in Lithuania folk Art. Memoirs of American Folklore Society, Vilnius. Kontrimas, Ceslovas. 1991. Lithuanian metal crosses, Vilnius: Mintis. Miknevicien_, Giedre. 1995. Historic cemeteries of Lithuania. Preservation problems, Wroclaw: Werk. Milius, Vacys. 1972. Cemeteries – the object of ethnographical research, Vilnius: Historical Institute Nemuniene, Marija. 2000. Stylistic trends in tomb monuments at the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 20th centuries, Vilnius: Town Planning and Architecture, XXIV Volume, Nr. 1. Nemuniene, Marija. 1999. Cemeteries of Neringa – specific example of wooden memorial architecture, Zvolen, Slovakia Rimantiene, Rimute. 1995. Lithuania before Christ, Vilnius: Vilnius Academy of Arts. Seselgis, Kazys.1990. Lithuanian Folk Art. Small-scale Architecture, II Volume, Vilnius: Vaga. Sirmulis, Alfredas. 1999. The Lithuanian folk Memorial Monuments, Vilnius: Vilnius Academy of Arts.
URI:	https://openarchive.icomos.org/id/eprint/124

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