Kuo didžiuotis senovės ir šiandienos lietuvininkams?

LTStraipsnyje apžvelgiama Šilutės Hugo Šojaus muziejaus etnografinė kolekcija, aptariamas lankytojui matomų eksponatų unikalumas ir jų galimybės prisidėti prie bendruomenės identiteto formavimo. Pasitelkus aprašomąjį, analitinį, lyginamąjį, abstrakcijos ir dedukcijos metodus, aktualizuojama Mažosios Lietuvos etnografinio regiono problematika (po Antrojo pasaulinio karo labai sumažėjo vietinių gyventojų), apibrėžiama bendruomenės sąvoka ir muziejaus kaip įstaigos reikšmingumas gyventojams kuriant savo tapatybę. Detaliau aptariami išskirtiniausi lietuvininkų baldai (lova, stalas, indauja, spintos, kėdės, rankšluostinė), tekstilės gaminiai (delmonai, perdrobuliai, tekstinės juostelės), porceliano gaminiai, kavos gėrimo tradicija ir jos reikmenys (indai, malūnėliai), keletas darbo įrankių. Išsiaiškinta, kad etniškumas gali būti įgyjamas nuosekliai domintis krašto istorija, autentiškais daiktais, autochtonų gyvenimo būdu. Per skirtingą kultūrą tampama įdomiais sau ir pasauliui, o perduodant informaciją apie išsaugotą paveldą lengviau rasti savo vietą istorijoje. Reikšminiai žodžiai: etnografija, Hugo Šojus, Mažoji Lietuva, Rytų Prūsija, Šilutės muziejus. [Iš leidinio]

ENIn 2022, Šilutė became the capital of the ethnographic region of Lithuania Minor, so it and the museum located there have the task to properly represent the heritage of Lithuania Minor. The museum’s ethnographic exhibition dates back to the late 19th century – it was based on the ethnographic collection of the last landowner Hugo Scheu. It should be mentioned that the local population of Lithuania Minor decreased significantly after World War II. H. Scheu’s ethnographic collections showed the still-to-be-found, but disappearing heritage, and in 1949, Šilutė Regional History Museum, which was established on the basis of the remaining collections of the museum, restored the heritage, because what was traditionally used practically no longer existed. The museum became a significant witness and institution that transmits the traditions of the Lithuanians, and the geographical area became the basis for the creation of the community of residents. In the land of Lithuanians, furniture production and decoration were influenced by old Prussian and Western fashion trends, the economic, cultural and historical conditions of that period. The furniture that dates back to the 18th century reflects the household and life of wealthy Lithuanian peasants, it is more diverse and more numerous than in any other areas of Lithuania. Beds with canopies were often used, the oldest tables were massive, with stools and a painted surface. East Prussian Lithuanians already in the 18th century used chairs with backs. All exhibited cupboards are older than the 2nd half of the 19th century. The sideboard stands out for its versatility: it holds dishes, spoons, books, and hanging towels. Towel racks for five towels are peculiar as well as a tall cabinet for a clock.The main accent of Klaipėda region costume, which cannot be found elsewhere in Lithuania, is delmonas (an ornate pocket worn by Lithuanian women), which dates back to the 17th century. The museum preserves eight of them. Embroidered tapes connecting two sheets – the main decoration of the sheet – were described and documented in the 17th–18th centuries. Šilutė Museum has four of these textile works (seven of them survived in Lithuania). Formerly a popular gift, i.e. tapes with text, are an interesting exhibit that probably began to spread in the 19th – early 20th centuries. The words of the songs or wishes (usually in Lithuanian) are woven into them along the entire length. In Lithuania, the walls, curtain-rods, bed canopies were decorated with plates, jugs, bowls or statuettes made of porcelain, which had first appeared in Lithuania Minor. In Lithuania Minor, in Klaipėda region, in Karaliaučius area, from the 18th century until World War II, the custom of coffee drinking at 4.00 pm was preserved in cities and towns, villages and farmsteads. This is reminded by coffee grinders, toasters, and cups. It can be concluded that people living in the current ethnographic region of Lithuania Minor, who do not have innate ethnicity, can acquire it by being consistently interested in the history of the region and assimilating it. Through a culture different from that of Lithuania proper, one becomes interesting to himself/ herself and the world. The authentic objects seen in the museum give sense to the meaning of Lithuania Minor in the past – a special, rich, modern region, allowing you to be proud of the preserved legacy and find your place in history by passing it on. [From the publication]