Since 1989 successive generations of young people belonging to the ČIUČIURUKS ensemble from the town of Telšiai have been, under the guidance of Rita Macijauskiene, exposed to the native Lithuanian and Samogitian tradition captured in sounds, song lyrics and children's games. However, these are only 33 years of around 800 years of the state history. Still, the traditional music that we are about to hear used to be an important part of the Lithuanian culture long before the reign of Mindaugas.
Those were not times of happy childhood for our north-eastern neighbour. Since the very beginning the Lithuanians had no choice but to suffer the proximity of the Teutonic Order, and then visits from other unwanted “guests.” It is no wonder then that songs were used to eulogize heroic deeds and those who had not returned from the war; also, the subjects included the tragic plight of orphans. Fortunately, the polyphonic musical pieces, mostly lyrical and sorrowful, also convey the sounds of nature, animal life, farmer’s hard work, as well as subtle emotional interaction between boys and girls.
The ČIUČIURUKS programme is entitled the “encoded tradition.” And so the audience will have an opportunity to try and decode what a lullaby and what a song about wildlife are, what play is about, and wherein lies the humour of a child’s joke. Getting the rhythm of Lithuanian folk songs, as complex as the history of Lithuania, but as beautiful as the spirit and identity of the nation inhabiting the basins of the Nemunas, Neris and Venta rivers, might prove to be quite a challenge.
Will we be able to decipher elements of ceremony or games in the Lithuanian dances? And while dealing with this task, will we find helpful such instruments as a violin, a dulcimer, a bandoneon, a ryla (a type of hurdy-gurdy)? We will see!
The ČIUČIURUKS programme is entitled the “encoded tradition.” And so the audience will have an opportunity to try and decode what a lullaby and what a song about wildlife are, what play is about, and wherein lies the humour of a child’s joke. Getting the rhythm of Lithuanian folk songs, as complex as the history of Lithuania, but as beautiful as the spirit and identity of the nation inhabiting the basins of the Nemunas, Neris and Venta rivers, might prove to be quite a challenge.
Will we be able to decipher elements of ceremony or games in the Lithuanian dances? And while dealing with this task, will we find helpful such instruments as a violin, a dulcimer, a bandoneon, a ryla (a type of hurdy-gurdy)? We will see!