Lithuania Local Customs

  Svyturys from Klaipeda
by HORSCHECK
 
  • Svyturys from Klaipeda
      Svyturys from Klaipeda
    by HORSCHECK
  • Sauna - Pirtis
      Sauna - Pirtis
    by aterola
  • Pirtis in Lithuania
      Pirtis in Lithuania
    by aterola
  • Snacks and drinks...
      Snacks and drinks...
    by aterola
  •   "Art" after sauna and after beer
    by aterola
 

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

A different way of going out for a drink

by Niekie

When going out for a few drinks with friends many Lithuanians, especially youths, don’t go to bars or clubs. Instead, they pick up a few drinks in the liquor store and find themselves a nice bench on a hill, in a park, on the beach or wherever and enjoy a few drinks and laughs. I guess it’s a lot cheaper but I also think their evening is quite different compared to going to a bar. You’re among friends, sitting under the stars, not being disturbed by loud music and other people; I think it’s a lot more intimate. Don't worry, there are also plenty of clubs, pubs and restaurants available, you don't have to follow their example. But I guess these places are not affordable for all Lithuanians and so they have come up with an enjoyable alternative.

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'Uzupys'-The Most Artistic Part Of Vilnius

by giedre

'Uzupys' is very old & interesting part of vilnius old town. there are a lot of artists living here & much more art students dreaming one day to live here as well:) ( it is one of the most place in Vilnius for buying a flat or house.Wonderful architecture (one of the best places for the photograps to take black & white pics:)....artistic atmosphere.....:)

Drinking Liquor

by kapco

While in Lithuania be sure to try some of their popular alcoholic drinks:1- Beer Beer is like football to them, Everyone has a favorite that they worship. Some of the favorite brands include Svyturys (Kalnapalis Region), Utenos (Utena Region), and Kalnapalis. I personally reccomend the Utenos Porteris which is a smooth dark Porter. Also any "Strong Beers" which I think are called stiripulis are excellent. While there I saw Liters of beer for as little as $1!!2. Midus If you get a chance definitely try Midus. It is a fabulous sweet honey drink. Not very strong, but has a great flavor.3. Various Others Palanga, RRR, and some others offer a good chance to try a bit of Lithuania.4. Vodka Vodka is widepsread. A decent Lithuanian Brand is Gera and it comes in many flavors. It can be quite cheap as compared to US prices!

While in Lithuania from food you must try:

by vysnaite

I oblige you to ;-)black bread, curd cheese with natural lincquid honey, fresh strawberries from the local market, black baked bread with garlic and cold good lithuanian beer, saltibarksciai - cold beet soup, one of the following: kugelis/plokstainis, cepelinai/didzkukuliai, at the seaside - fresh smoked fish. In winter additional things: traditional "kopustiene" soup (cabbage soup) with hot potatoes, and traditional lithuanian mead "suktinis". Check the travelogue "traditional lithuanian food" for more detailed food information.

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neither now nor before II World War

by Redule

Lithuanians used to smile spontaniously when beeing photographing. My grandfather, considering its duty to stay SERIOUS in the memory of his descendants, did not use smiling either. Although Lithuanians are quite warm people...By the way, for everyone who is interested in antrophology, I can say, that the picture in left shows typical Lithuanian face features.

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POLITICS – tricky thing...

by Redule

POLITICS – tricky thing. You can look very nice until you get in it. Later all your sins will be scrutinised by the journalists – the third authority in Lithuania. The faces of politicians you can see in the picture are loved and hated in Lithuania:Brazauskas, our former President and the present Prime Minister. Real political disnosaur. He survived in high posts during the soviet and independant times. Landsbergis, former Chairman of the Parliament was outstanding figure in the last decade. He was praised for the Independence and blamed for destroying of economy. Now he moved to European Parliament. Paksas, the ex-President tried to fly high, but finished his days in politics with scandal. Paulauskas, the present Chairman of the Parliament. Adamkus (between), our beloved President, reminds us Don Kichot, who tries to cope with windmills. Althought, he has done a lot in the accession...

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Lithuanian language

by DanielF

Lithuanian and Latvian are two Indo-european languages of the Baltic group. They are related to each other, but have nothing in common with Estonian, which belongs to the same family than Finnish.However, Latvian and Lithuanian are rather dissimilar and not mutually understandable. Lithuanian looks like a very complicated language but it has a beautiful sonority. Lithuanian has, according to linguists, remained in a rather archaic form, whic makes of it a very interesting language, if you have the courage to start with it.The Lithuanian script uses a lot of signs that I cannot figure out with my keyboard, so in this page I have written them with the standard Latin alphabet.Apart from Lithuanian, Russian is generally understood and also English among the younger people.

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Lithuanian people

by DanielF

Lithuania is the most ethnically uniform of the three Baltic republics. 80 % of the population is ethnically Lithuanian and the rest are slaves (Poles, Russians, Ukrainians and White-russians). There are small minorities of Germans and Judes. Vilnius is certainly the most heterogeneous and multicultural place in all Lithuania, although it lost the largest part of its Jewish population during the war.Being catholic, Lithuanian are much more open and laid-back than their Northern Lutheran neighbours, but still a bit silent and reserved by South European standards. What cannot be denied is that Lithuanian cultivate a deep sensuality are eager to meet foreigners.

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The Gold of the North

by Leipzig

Amber is probably the most attractive tourist souvenir in Lithuania. It originally is fossilized pine tree sap. Amber is attractive as jewellery because of its light yellow color. In Lithuania you can buy it quite cheaply. If you just want to see how it is used in jewellery or to see some prehistoric insects in amber I recommend to visit the Palanga Amber Museum.

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Tranquility and tolerance

by Sonic747

Lithuanians are generally very calm (especially for people from southern Europe), there are no such things (and they never happened) as bloody demonstrations in which demonstrants burns cars or breaks glasses. There are no riots after football or basketball matches either ussually. Traffic also couldn't be compared with one of states in southern Europe.Also, Lithuanians are tolerant to other nations,religions and cultures. Although some of them might have some prejustices, they won't show that in public. Thus there was no inquisition in Lithuania, and for a long time muslims, catholics, orthodoxes, lutherans, jews, karaites, old believers and at first also pagans lived very peacefully near each other.There are also almost no radicals in Lithuania (nazis, communists, etc.). In the elections, more radical candidates ussually doesn't gets enough signatures to qualify (and one did qualified...

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Questions and Answers

Benjamin08 profile photo

Q:  How would somebody describe a road Trakai – Alytaus – Lazdiai – Augustow (Poland). If do it, than via Dirvoniskes or not? I am... 

remigia profile photo

A: hi It depends what you want. If you are just driving then it's ordinary road, going mostly through forest, fields and small villages. Road quality is quite o.k. If you... 

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