Museum of Moletai district: Ethnographic farmstead |
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| © Museum of Moletai district |
Adress: Kulionys, Molėtų r., LT33354 Moletai district
Tel.: (+370 682) 14559 esodyba@gmail.com
THE 14TH PAGAN FESTIVAL OF THE FIRST SPRING GREENNESS
Jorė' 2010
INVITES YOU
KULIONYS 2425 APRIL 2010
MUSEUM OF MOLĖTAI DISTRICT
ETHNOGRAPHIC FARMSTEAD
To the south of Moletai observatory, on the picturesque coast of the lake Lenktinis there are the remains of the old ethnographic farmstead: a cellar, a cattle-shed and a bathhouse. This farmstead, as well as the rest coast of the lake Lenktinis, belongs to Moletai department of culture and education. It is also a branch of the Moletai Land museum. It is planned to build a traditional farmhouse, a granary and a barn. It is planned to display the exposition of folk astronomy and cosmology in the farmstead, and it would thoroughly supplement the complex of Astronomical observatory, representing the contemporary science of astronomy.
In 1996 there was arranged an ancient Observatory of celestial bodies - a sacred place. A circle of ten wooden poles with calendar signs and the Sun-fire altar was made of stone. The poles mark six countries of the world and the azimuths of the rising and setting of the Sun on the days of the most important calendar festivals. While visiting this place you can get the impression the way celestial bodies were observed in ancient times and the way people did calendar calculations.
Starting with the year 1997 the ancient Lithuanian festival of the first verdure is celebrated here on the 23rd of April. It is called Jore.
Ancient observatories of celestial bodies served not only for observing the celestial bodies, but also for religious rituals.
Next to the farmstead it is planned to rebuild the building of Perkunas sanctuary which was in Sventaragis valley in Vilnius in the 13th century.Visitors are welcome!
How to find us
The farmstead of the Moletai land museum is next to Moletai astronomical observatory. On the 72nd kilometre of Vilnius - Utena highway turn at the pole with the note "Observatorija 5 km" and go ahead in this direction as far as 4 kilometres and you will see the lake Giluzis on the right. As you pass the lake turn to the right and the farmstead is in some 200 metres (see scheme).
While visiting the ethnographic farmstead you will be able:
to learn the way our ancestors observed celestial bodies, to see an ancient model of the observatory - a sacred place;
to order a lecture with the demonstration of slides about the world outlook of our ancestors, their mysterious knowledge about celestial bodies and their influence on man, to get acquainted with their imagination of the Universe;
to stay for a night in your tents in the territory of the farmstead near the lake Lenktinis, and if the night is clear - to order a lecture - excursion over the starry sky: You will learn to recognise and find the constellations and planets, you will learn the way our ancestors imagined and called them.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE REBUILDING OF PERKUNAS' (THE THUNDERER) SANCTUARY
Regaining of independence in Lithuania, rebirth of the Lithuanian culture, conscience and freedom of faith make us to recall the values of faith that the forefathers of our nation had.
The Lithuanian native faith was restrained, ancient sanctuaries were destroyed and the ancient spiritual teaching was dispersed as a result of unfavourable ideological and political conditions.
Time has come to bring back national shrines that belong to the Lithuanian nation.
A hope to rebuild the building of Perkunas' sanctuary in the territory of the ethnographic farmstead next to Moletai observatory has been cherished for a long time. Historical sources claim that a sanctuary devoted for Perkunas stood in Šventaragis valley in the 13th - 14th centuries, in the place where Vilnius Cathedral stands at present. We can find a rather detailed description of that sanctuary in J.F.Rivijus' chronicles:
"In Vilnius, where the cathedral stands, there was a very old oak-wood which was consecrated to the idols. In the place where the small Vilija flows together with the big river, next to the wood there was a big sanctuary made of stone for thundering Jupiter - Perkunas, or the god of thunder. The sanctuary was built by the duke Gereimundas in 1285. Its length was 150 cubits and it was 100 cubits wide. There was no roof an the top of it; the only entrance was from the side of the big river; near the wall opposite the entrance there was a chapel where various rare and expensive things were kept. / /
Above the chapel there was a high pergola which rose 16 cubits above the wall of the sanctuary. In the middle of the pergola there was a wooden idol which was brought from the holly woods of Palanga. The chapel and the pergola were built of bricks. In front of the chapel there was the altar having 12 steps and built in the form of square. Every step was ½ cubit's high and 1 ½ cubit's wide; their total height was 25 cubits. Every step was devoted for one sign of Zodiac. / / At the entrance of the sanctuary there was a mansion of the priest. That mansion had a round tower and the movement of the Sun was observed from it "
As we can see Perkunas' sanctuary was connected not only with religion, but also with the ancient science of astronomy. So the idea of building that sanctuary near the astronomical observatory is not accidental. Plenty of young people who come to visit the Observatory will have a splendid opportunity to get acquainted both with the ancient Lithuanian faith and deep astronomical traditions of our nation.
Exploration of the vaults of Vilnius Cathedral which were carried out by the archaeologists in 1986 and the scientific interpretation of the data done by the archaeologist Dr. V.Urbanavicius provide with enough information to restore the image of the sanctuary.On the 23rd of April 2000, on Jore and at the same time Easter day an ordinary stone from the fields of Lithuania was consecrated as a corner stone for the future Perkunas' sanctuary. That meant the beginning of the historical rebuilding of Perkunas' sanctuary. The Lithuanian community of faith "Romuva" has promised to take part in the rebuilding work. Archaeologist Dr. Vytautas Urbanavicius has started preparing the project together with the architects.
That will be the first sanctuary of the ancient Lithuanian faith rebuilt according to the authentic data. It is planned to arrange the exposition of the national Lithuanian religion next to the holy things devoted for the ancient god Perkunas.
An extract from the speech told on the occasion of putting a corner stone of Perkunas' sanctuary:
"Native Baltic faith born in the mist of history has always strengthened the roots of the Lithuanian nation and raised the spirit and power of our forefathers. It was saved by a miracle in the vortex of political events and violent invasion of other nations and their gods. The native Baltic faith has survived in our hearts thanks to the efforts of the enlightened persons of our nation who have cherished the image of the ancient national world - outlook and feeling of unity with nature. / /
Our gods are awakening who were sleeping through the lack of attention of the nation. As the Sun and the Moon have never stopped shining and the stars have not stopped twinkling, They have never left our Land, our trees, our fire and water, our stones and our dwellings, our Sky and our hearts. They have fallen asleep only for a short time and now they would get up cheerful and ready to carry the burden of our requests and dreams."
Please transfer your donation to the bank account:
Bank: DnB NORD
Account # LT494010045500000865
Baltu tikejimo Moletu bendruomene Romuva
At the request of the sponsors their names will be inscribed on the memorial signs attached to the walls of the sanctuary.
We are looking forward for your attention and favour.
