Herbal or St. The day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is a holiday that is celebrated throughout Lithuania. Some people turn to the pagan roots of this day: they pick medicinal herbs, as many different flowers and crops as possible, and make bouquets. Others go to church, participate in indulgences and honor Mary with prayers. And others... Traveling to Traki. In this historical corner of Lithuania, not only traditional Žolinė indulgences and processions take place, but also the Kopūštinė kermošius is organized. What is this event? What does it have to do with the Feast of Herbs? All the answers are in this article.
St. Mass and solemn procession
Let's start with the fact that Trakai St. In the Basilica of the Virgin Mary, as in many Lithuanian cities and towns, on August 15. Grass Mass will be held (10 a.m. in Polish, 12 p.m. in Lithuanian). However, it is no secret that the indulgences held in this parish attract people every year not only because of the Mass, but also because of the solemn procession, during which the decorated image of the Madonna of Trakai is carried through the streets and squares of the city of Trakai. Priest Jonas Varaneckas brought this beautiful tradition with him when he came to work in the parish. The joyous procession is, as it were, a symbolic confirmation that Mary is the queen and mother of this corner, and all believers are her beloved children. This year, the ceremonial procession will start at 11:15 am. Participants are invited to dress up in national clothes, bring medicinal field herbs, flowers, vegetables and grains, which will be consecrated and decorate the procession.
Every year, Zholine indulgences in Trakai it is filled with a sense of community, sacredness and inner joy. So if you want to celebrate the rushing summer, you are very welcome here!
Visitors will be treated to an exceptional Cabbage festival
In the introduction, we already mentioned that during the Žoline weekend in Trakai, not only St. Mass and procession, but also the Cabbage festival. Therefore, you probably have a question: what is St. Assumption Day is associated with… Cabbage?
The answer is really simple: it turns out that Žolinė, like other major holidays, can boast of its traditional dishes. They are different in different regions of Lithuania. And here in Dzūkija, Žolinė did not do without white cabbage for many years. It is interesting that in honor of this vegetable in Dzūkija, Žolinė is still often called by the name of Cabbage.
What is important to know about the Cabbage Festival? First of all, it is held every year on the island of Kopūštinė (also known as Karvinė and Karaimka). It was in this corner of Trakai that the Karaim successfully cultivated cabbage. And he not only grew them, but also did not avoid using them in his cooking. For example, finely chopped fresh cabbage was added to the kibins - the dish was much juicier. So, it is natural that this island is an ideal corner for the Kopūštinė kermoši.
During the celebration, there will certainly be no shortage of the most interesting entertainment. The cabbage fair will take place throughout the long weekend: August 15-18. It is true that the majority of event visitors will be waiting for the Herb Day - August 15. During the opening of the cabbage festival, songs will be played, various games and dances will be organized. Later, in the courtyard of the Trakai Crafts Center, there will be educational activities: making Baltic jewelry, paper cutting, tying gardens, making herbal flower textiles, etc.
We recommend that you don't forget to bring bowls for soup. Because from 15 to 17 p.m. gaspadine will turn the most delicious cabbage. It will be free to eat with your own plate. And here, if you want to sip soup from a special jar with the Trakai sign, you will have to pay 5 euros.
And that's not all: from 15.30:17.00 p.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m., anyone who wants to can take part in an excursion that will be organized on the shore of Lake Luka. "We will depart from the buses of the station to Karvina sala. We will talk about everything that currently grows on the shores of the Trakai lakes - on land, near the water and in the water (as far as we can reach), about what grew (and didn't grow) a century ago and even older, what grew by itself and what was cultivated. How the way of using the coast changed over time, the image, and at the same time the cultural landscape of the city of Trakai", according to the organizers of the excursion.
Program (August 15)
HERBAL DISCOUNTS
St. Trakai Basilica of the Virgin Mary
10.00 St. Mass (in Polish)
11.15 Solemn procession honoring the image of Our Lady of Trakai - the Patroness of Lithuania.
We invite you to dress up in national clothes, bring herbs, flowers, grains or vegetables from medicinal fields, which will be consecrated and carried, and decorate the procession.
12.00 St. Mass (Lithuanian)
CABBAGE FESTIVAL
Courtyard of the Trakai Craft Center (Karaimų St. 41)
13.30 Opening of the cabbage festival. Dances songs and games.
Participants: Trakai Culture and Art Center Folklore Ensemble "Radasta" (leaders Marytė Morkūnienė and Rasa Zakarė), Širvintos Cultural Center traditional band "Noragas" (leader Gintarė Jakštienė), Lentvaris Lithuanian Folk Song Collective "KLEVINĖ" (leader Inga Okuškienė), Rūdiškii Folklore Ensemble "Diemedis" (director Dalia Žalpienė), Bridges Village Chapel of Trakai Culture and Art Center (director Vaiva Neteckienė), Grigiškii "Šviesos" Gymnasium Folklore Ensemble "Spalgena" (director Dalia Mockevičenė) and the United Dzūkija Region Traditional Music Course Band ( manager Vaida Naruševičiūtė).
Educational activities in the yard of the Trakai craft center
14.00-15.30
Baltic jewelry (Judita Bagočiūnienė)
Paper cutouts (Klaidas Navickas)
Velta brooch or pendant of national colors (Danutė Bastienė)
15.30-17.00
Garden tying (Dalia Ališauskienė)
Ribbon weaving (Ramunė Petkevičienė)
Making herbal flowers from textiles (Lucija Pavlovska)
15.00-17.00
Gaspadinii cabbage stew (cooked by J. Veličkienė and D. Semionovė)
The soup is distributed free of charge on the plate you bring.
With a jar of Trakai brand soup - 5 Eur.
15.30-17.00 Excursion on the shore of Lake Luka
We will travel from the bus station to Karvinės sala. We will talk about everything that currently grows on the shores of the Trakai lakes - on land, near the water and in the water (as far as we can reach), about what grew (and didn't grow) a century ago and even older, what grew by itself and what was cultivated. How the way of using the coast changed over time, the image, and at the same time the cultural landscape of the city of Trakai.
Start of the tour: at the beginning of the Luka coastal path, at the stand "Trakų Bazilijonų kalva".
