National Celebration on ice in Šilutė
Baltic Environmental Forum Lithuania celebrated Day of Restoration of Lithuania's Independence together with Rusnė and Šilutė residents and rural communities on the frozen meadow ice on 16 February.
We had seen fluttering flags, smoldering smoke and a group of people already from the road near the bridge to Rusnė. When drove closer, we saw that the locals had been already preparing a collective feast and been talking quietly but with solemn joy.
The event started with solemn raising of the flag. All gathered people were invited to interlock with hands and sing the National Anthem.
Later on, other activities - ice hockey competition, drawing on the grass bale, local youth awards for achievements in sports and little concert - took place.
Baltic Environmental Forum participants together with the children rushed to show their artistic skills. They drew Independence Day as they imagined – celebration, which is celebrated by Aquatic Warbler and a farmer together. They also treated the crowd with their-baked cookies and tasted local culinary heritage and hot tea.
We awarded active young festival participants with Aquatic Warbler book-toys. They received interest of elders also.
We also tested the ice swing.
Going back to the capital we were sliming- it was a meaningful remembering of an important national celebration and warm meeting with local community.
More pictures from the event
