The whole district was involved in the celebration of State Day in Daugai
The State Day (the coronation of King Mindaugas of Lithuania) and the National Anthem Day took place in Daugai, the capital of the Mindaugas family, in Alytus district. This year it is called #DaugaiMindaugai. The town was decorated with an art installation park, a light show over the water, and the first-ever parade of water vehicles on Lake Didžiulis. "This day is a true example of our unity, our strength," said Alytus District Municipality Mayor Rasa Vitkauskienė, speaking about the celebration organised in just two months.
Ideas and suggestions from communities for the celebration
"I do not know of a better and more beautiful place in the world for everyone to celebrate together the 6th of July - a particularly important and significant day for our country. For Mindaugas, Daugai is like a native home where you are always welcome and needed. For Mindaugas, Daugai is so familiar and close to them, even mentioned in the name of Mindaugas himself", said Mayor R. Vitkauskienė, greeting the people of the region who had gathered for the celebration.
According to her, the celebration is special not because of the many events, entertainments, competitions and parades, famous performers, but because it was created together. Many suggestions and ideas were received on what kind of celebration the people of Alytus District would like to see. The event was organised in just two months.
"This day is a true example of our unity, of our strength. If we can do so much in just two months, without knowing each other well, without a bag of money, just imagine how much more we could do with a little more trust and support, with a little more time and opportunity. Dear people of Alytus District, as strong and united as we are, so is Lithuania. Happy Holidays to all of you!", - Mayor R. Vitkauskienė congratulated the guests, participants and people of the region.
Honorary Citizen L. Radziukynas' regalia were handed over to a relative
As every year, during the State Day celebrations, the Honorary Citizen of Alytus District was solemnly announced. This year, the Municipal Council conferred this title on Laurynas Radziukynas (posthumously), the founder of the unique Kurnėnai School, for his significant contribution to Lithuanian education and cultural heritage.
The regalia was awarded to Agnis Stanulis, a relative of L. Radziukynas.
"The grandchildren of Laurynas Radziukynas, who live in the United States of America, send their warmest greetings and regret that they are unable to be with all of you today. I was obliged to represent the family and to accept this honourable sign. I feel strange accepting an award for someone I have never known. But I knew Laurynas Radziukynas through the stories of my grandmother as an uncle who came from across the Atlantic, as a man who was attentive to his country and its people. According to my grandmother, the idea of building a school in Kurnėnai was born spontaneously and, at first, maybe not even seriously, when I was visiting my parents' house. Then the father of Laurynas Radziukynas, my great-grandfather, said, "If you want to do something good for your village, build a school here." Laurynas Radziukynas understood very well the importance of education in unlocking the doors of life, so he did not let go of this idea until the school tower was built in Kurnėnai. It is a gift to the community of his native land. I am glad that today this school has been reborn as a space for the whole community to come together. I am sincerely grateful for this appreciation of my relative and I invite all those who have not had the opportunity to visit the Kurnėnai School and enjoy the gift you have received," said Mr Stanulis.
For the State - St. Mass
On the occasion of the 6th of July - the State Day - St. As parish priest Vidas Jelinskas said during his sermon, each one of us creates the State of Lithuania by our own works. The church was filled with the songs of Judita Leitaitė, a Lithuanian chamber musician, winner of international competitions, a mezzo-soprano.
All day long - action on the lake
For the first time, a festive parade of kayaks, canoes, rafts, yachts and fishing boats, all decorated with Lithuanian flags, took place on Lake Didžiulis. "It is indescribably good to see both the tricolours and the love in you. We have such a beautiful lake and with the efforts of all of us, Didžiulis will be made more beautiful", said Mayor R. Vitkauskienė.
Later on, the lake hosted the open canoe and kayak championship to win the Mayor's Cup. It was won by the canoeists of the Alytus District School of Arts and Sports.
At the lake, firefighters and divers from the Fire and Rescue Service presented fire and rescue techniques, equipment and their capabilities.
After dark, a light spectacle over Lake Didžiulis, reflecting the most important historical events in Lithuania and showing the views of Alytus district and Daugai, attracted great interest.
A gathering of courtyards in the park
On the festive day, Daugai park square was bustling with old crafts and the courtyards of the elders' districts, where rural communities presented their activities. Spinning, weaving, shoemaking, ceramics, knitting, plaiting, culinary heritage and other crafts were presented there. The courtyards were also visited by the Mayor of Alytus District Municipality R. Vitkauskienė, Vice-Mayor Aurimas Truncė, Councillors, Head of the Finance and Investment Division, Acting Director of the Administration, Andrė Zenevičienė, guests and the Municipality's cooperation and project partners from the Polish municipalities of Oržyš, Ostralenka District, Pisz, Biala Piska, Ručiana Nida and Olecko.
A variety of activities for both children and adults
The children's festival featured a performance by the Alytus Puppet Theatre, folklore dance lessons, folk music band competitions, music stations, music and singing by musicians and performers from the district, pupils from the School of Arts and Sports, folk and band groups.
The main square of the festival hosted a performance by the Lithuanian Armed Forces Land Forces Orchestra, and at 9 p.m., the National Song and the Alytus District Anthem "Three Lilies" were sung. The bands "Bernužėliai", IL SENSO, "Sisters on Wire", "Kamanių šilelis", Leonas Somovas performed.
Those who wanted to take a break from the hustle and bustle could listen to poetry readings with Dainius Gintalas, a poet, translator, literary and art critic from Daugai on the Šventapetris Hill, watch films over the night sky, or take a walk on the shores of the Didžiulis lake at the park of outdoor installations created by the district organisations.
Information from Alytus District Municipality
