Australian Lithuanians to descend on Melbourne for cultural festival

AUSTRALIA’S Lithuanian community may be among the nation’s smallest, but its members are nothing but dogged in their determination to preserve cultural traditions.

Young dancers at the Lithuanian Club. Picture: Christopher Chan.

AUSTRALIA’S Lithuanian community may be among the nation’s smallest, but its members are nothing but dogged in their determination to preserve cultural traditions.

Every second year the community holds a national cultural and sports festival between Christmas and New Year — and this time it’s Melbourne’s turn.

For five days, people of Lithuanian background will dance, sing, act, watch performances, play basketball among other sports, and eat stodgy food at venues across the city.

A highlight will be the participation of Ratilai — a folkloric music group based in the Baltic country that will join local Melbourne ensemble The Lost Clog at a special concert at the Lithuanian Club in North Melbourne on December 30.

Another popular event at the 29th Australian Lithuanian Days is the art exhibition, whose theme this year is Our Colours.

Art show convener Jurgis Maleckas said it would explore different aspects of the Australian Lithuanian identity.

“Do we foster and embrace both sides or only one? Do we hide from one identity and emphasise the other” he said.

State Opposition Leader Matthew Guy, who has Ukrainian heritage, said the Lithuanian community was one of our proudest post-war migrant groups.

“It’s fantastic to see the Lithuanians still a strong part of our multicultural scene,” he said.

Prominent Australians with Lithuanian heritage include Osher Gunsberg (formerly known as Andrew G), ex-Essendon Bombers player Adam Ramanauskas and Rasa Bertrand, wife of yachting legend John Bertrand.

www.ald2016.org/ald-programme

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@JMasanauskas