Lieporių Secondary School

““Amazing Box” from LieporiAmazing Box” from Lieporių Secondary Schoolų Secondary Schoolfor Sukromne Gymnasium T.Smaragdfor Sukromne Gymnasium T.Smaragd

VilniusVilniusVilnius is the largest city Vilnius is the largest city and the capital of and the capital of Lithuania, with a Lithuania, with a population of 555,613 population of 555,613 (847,954 together with (847,954 together with Vilnius County) as of Vilnius County) as of 2008. It is the seat of the 2008. It is the seat of the Vilnius city municipality Vilnius city municipality and of the and of the Vilnius district Vilnius district municipality. It is also the municipality. It is also the capital of Vilnius County. capital of Vilnius County. Currently Vilnius is the Currently Vilnius is the European Capital of European Capital of Culture of 2009 together Culture of 2009 together with Linz, Austria.with Linz, Austria.

NidaNidaNida is a resort town Nida is a resort town in Lithuania, located in Lithuania, located on the Curonian Spit. on the Curonian Spit. It has 1,650 residents It has 1,650 residents and is the and is the administrative center administrative center of the Neringa of the Neringa municipality. Nida municipality. Nida Airport is located in Airport is located in the town. Nida is the the town. Nida is the westernmost point of westernmost point of Lithuania and the Lithuania and the Baltic States.Baltic States.

Lithuanian flagLithuanian flagThe flag of Lithuania The flag of Lithuania consists of a horizontal consists of a horizontal tricolor of yellow, green and tricolor of yellow, green and red. It was adopted on red. It was adopted on March 20, 1989, almost two March 20, 1989, almost two years before the years before the reestablishment of reestablishment of Lithuania's independence Lithuania's independence following the end of the following the end of the Soviet Union. Before its Soviet Union. Before its readoption, the flag had readoption, the flag had been used from 1918 until been used from 1918 until 1940 while Lithuania was 1940 while Lithuania was occupied and then annexed occupied and then annexed by the Soviet Union.by the Soviet Union.

Baltic amberBaltic amberThe Baltic region is home to the largest known deposit of The Baltic region is home to the largest known deposit of amber, called Baltic amber, with about 80% of the world's amber, called Baltic amber, with about 80% of the world's known amber found here. It dates from between 35 to 40 known amber found here. It dates from between 35 to 40 million years ago (Eocene Early Oligocene).million years ago (Eocene Early Oligocene).

The term Baltic amber is generic, so amber from the The term Baltic amber is generic, so amber from the Bitterfeld mines in Germany (which is only 20 million years Bitterfeld mines in Germany (which is only 20 million years old) goes under the same name.old) goes under the same name.

Because Baltic amber contains about 8% succinic acid, it is Because Baltic amber contains about 8% succinic acid, it is also termed Succinite.also termed Succinite.

Hill of Hill of CCrossesrossesThe Hill of Crosses is a site of pilgrimage about 12 km north of the The Hill of Crosses is a site of pilgrimage about 12 km north of the city of Šiauliai, in northern Lithuania. The exact origins are city of Šiauliai, in northern Lithuania. The exact origins are unknown, but it is considered that the first crosses were placed on unknown, but it is considered that the first crosses were placed on the former Jurgaičiai or Domantai hill fort after the 1831 Uprising.the former Jurgaičiai or Domantai hill fort after the 1831 Uprising.

Over the centuries, not only Over the centuries, not only crosses, but giant crucifixes, crosses, but giant crucifixes, carvings of Lithuanian carvings of Lithuanian patriots, statues of the Virgin patriots, statues of the Virgin Mary and thousands of tiny Mary and thousands of tiny effigies and rosaries have effigies and rosaries have been brought here by been brought here by Catholic pilgrims. The number Catholic pilgrims. The number of crosses is unknown, but of crosses is unknown, but estimates put it at about estimates put it at about 50,000.50,000.

Columns of GediminasColumns of GediminasThe Columns of Gediminas or Pillars of Gediminas The Columns of Gediminas or Pillars of Gediminas (Lithuanian: Gediminaičių stulpai) are one of the earliest (Lithuanian: Gediminaičių stulpai) are one of the earliest symbols of Lithuania and one of its historical coats of arms.symbols of Lithuania and one of its historical coats of arms.

They were used in the Grand Duchy They were used in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, initially as a rulers' of Lithuania, initially as a rulers' personal insignia, a state symbol, personal insignia, a state symbol, and later as a part of heraldic signs and later as a part of heraldic signs of leading aristocracy. During the of leading aristocracy. During the period between World War I and period between World War I and World War II they were used by the World War II they were used by the Lithuanian Republic as a minor state Lithuanian Republic as a minor state symbol, e. g. on Litas coins and symbol, e. g. on Litas coins and military equipment.military equipment.

Lithuanian traditional sashLithuanian traditional sashNational sashes are a traditional and ancient Lithuanian folk art.You don‘t need special tools to make them, only the weaver’s hard work, imagination and creativity are involved. This kind of sashes were used as a belt to hold a robe together, usually tied on the waist. They were also used for men’s footwear vyzos and nagines, for swaddling babies, for hanging baskets and bask baskets. There was a custom of giving sashes as gifts. For example, the bride had to give sashes as gifts to all groom’s relatives-children and adults- at the wedding.

Prepared by amazing team from

Lieporių Secondary School,Šiauliai, Lithuania

04/05/2009