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arnoldas
By Arnoldas Viburys
6 months ago
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Narrow gauge railway of Aukštaitija is celebrating its 110th anniversary

kr090911

Photograph: Arnoldas Viburys

This year the end of September is a special time for railway fans in Lithuania. Narrow gauge railway of Aukštaitija is celebrating its 110th anniversary.

The railway was established at the turn of the century. It took several years to construct the line which connected Švenčionėliai and Pastovai in 1895 and Panevėžys in 1898. The first train was launched on September 22th, 1899. Trains pulled by steam engine were used to transport people and goods.

Two new sections were opened in 1916: Gubernija - Pasvalys and Joniškis - Žeimelis. The former was extended to Šiauliai in 1929. One more section Panevėžys - Joniškėlis was opened in 1938. In those times, the railway was the most important means of transport in the region.

Today the railway is the biggest cultural object of heritage in Lithuania. In summer weekends it offers regular route service as well as holiday and charter trips.

arnoldas
By Arnoldas Viburys
7 months ago
1 comment

Ežerų sietuva 2009: short but impressive

mi090724

Photograph: Arnoldas Viburys

Last weekend the eighth biannual international folk music and dance festival Ežerų sietuva (The Range of Lakes) took place in Eastern Aukštaitija.

Folk groups from Bulgaria, Latvia, Turkey, and for the first time from Republic of Karelia and Ukraine participated in Ežerų sietuva 2009 as well as local folk singers and dancers.

The festival was only three days long due to financial difficulties and overall economic situation in Lithuania. Ežerų sietuva 2009 started in Utena, the capital of Eastern Aukštaitija, on July 17, then moved to Ignalina and Zarasai on July 18, and finally moved to Švenčionys and Molėtai on July 19. However, the festival was not supported by two other cities in Eastern Aukštaitija – Anykščiai and Visaginas.

The opening concert of the festival was held near Dauniškis Park. The park surrounds Dauniškis Lake and is the most attractive place in Utena.

Foreign and local folk groups together have made an impressive show with unusual rhythms and sounds, costumes and colors. We enjoyed Bulgarians’ dances and shouts, boys with faces on T-shirts from Turkey, Latvians’ “cow”, Karelians’ energy, and Ukrainians’ acrobatic show.

The closing concert was held in Molėtai. The festival was ended by the music, lasers and fireworks show.

Ežerų sietuva will return in 2011.

Links:

City info
Utena, 18:18,
March 11, 2010,
Thursday

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