February 27, 2016

A Closer Look (Part 62)


Kaunas, Lithuania, 1936. My paternal Grandmother, Tatjana, is content.

Here's the original post.

"Niente altro. Non ci sono tanti segreti."

"Nothing else. There aren't many secrets" ... to making cannoli:


"Ah ... mi sento un uccello in un giardino." ("Ah ... I hear a bird in a garden.")

February 26, 2016

She's catching up to Mom


Verona, Wisconsin, February 2016. Sometimes they don't mind if you stop to admire them.

A Later Visit


Suburban Chicago, Spring 1980. My Mom's best friend, Donna, finds a good spot.

February 24, 2016

Winter Station


Germany, about 1947. Here's another postcard from the Bavarian Railway.

Classmates


Kedainai, Lithuania, May 28, 1932. The girl in the bottom row, on the left, is the Mother of my friend Nijole. The students wear the identifying uniforms typical of that era.

Thanks to my friend Nijole for making this photo available to us.

February 22, 2016

February 21, 2016

Clinical Education


Erlangen, Germany, about 1946 or 1947. Mom remembers many medical-school clinics in the center of the college town.

Presidential Memento


Kaunas, Lithuania, July 7, 1928. The American Consul to Lithuania wrote, "At five o'clock, Lily and I called on Mrs. Smetona and played dice as usual, after having coffee. Lily bought a photograph of President Smetona a few days ago and she asked Mrs. Smetona to request the President to sign it. The adjutant went to his office and brought the picture back signed."

Thanks to the Consul's Granddaughter for making this photo available to us.

February 19, 2016

She Bolts, in Three Takes


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Verona, Wisconsin, February 18, 2016. The youngster doesn't linger at the roadside.

A Closer Look (Part 61)


Near Kaunas, Lithuania, about 1918. This is my Dad's older cousin, Henry. Vytas and his brother, Vytas, were the sons of Kazimieras, a brother of my paternal Grandfather, Vytautas.

Here's the original post.

February 18, 2016

View Reunion


Madison Public Library, Madison, Wisconsin, February 14, 2016. Look up.

After the Ceremony


St. George's Parish, Bridgeport, Chicago, May 1953. My friend Nijole's Mom (standing, wearing the fur stole) attends a wedding.

Thanks to Nijole for making this photo available to us.

February 16, 2016

"And, there are simply too many notes."

Evidence emerges that Mozart and Salieri collaborated.

" 'How VIP do we gotta get?' "

Said Sir Paul McCartney after being denied admission to a post-Grammy party.

Companion Animal

Jesper, the skiing cat.

An Independence Day "Minejimas"

Today, February 16, is Lithuanian Independence Day. The holiday celebrates Lithuania's independence, in 1918, from the Russian Empire. Now, of course, there is a second Independence Day—a restoration day—marking the day Lithuania broke from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Lithuanians recognize both days. Traditionally, groups host a "Minejimas," or commemoration, filled with speeches, poetry recitations, music, and dancing

Here in Madison, Madison-Vilnius Sister Cities, Inc. organized a similar reception. We gathered at the Central Madison Public Library. We ate some goodies (I baked a Trupininis Pyragas), and then Nijole shared a presentation about the history of the Žaibas Dance Group. Žaibas this year celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary.


Madison, Wisconsin, February 14, 2016. The library offered a beautiful room for the gathering.
 
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Nijole created a display featuring items from Žaibas's history (yes, the group danced at a festival in Japan. And in Argentina).
 
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Ah, "[w]e were so much younger then."
 
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We chatted before the program.

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We stood for the Lithuanian National Anthem. No one had an excuse for not knowing the lyrics.

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Nijole began her presentation.
 
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Current and former Žaibas dancers rose to applause.
 
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Nijole spoke about the history of folk dancing, especially among the Displaced Persons living in postwar camps. You may have seen this photo earlier.
 
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And this one, too.

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We have a great group! 

February 15, 2016

Performance


Rosemont Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois, July 1992. Members of Žaibas perform at the Ninth Lithuanian Folk Dance Festival (you may recognize my striped skirt).

The dance is "BlezdingÄ—lÄ—." Also here:

Hat Dance


Chicago, Illinois, probably mid-1950s. The seated woman wearing the striped hat is the mother of my friend Nijole.

Thanks to Nijole for making this photo available to us.

February 12, 2016

February Weather ...

... in Venice:


Venice, Italy, February 1984. I'm on my way back to the Archivio.

Adorable


Indiana, about 1967. This is my friend V and her Mom. The embroidery on V's blouse and apron is exquisite. (You also may recall this photo.)

Thanks to my friend V for making this photo available to us.

February 9, 2016

Carnevale Chaos


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Piazza San Marco, Venice, Italy, March 1984. It's much too crowded here.