Užgavėnės (Lithuanian Shrovetide), or the Ushering-out of Winter Festival during the Soviet era

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Užgavėnės; Sovietmetis; Šventės; Užgavėnės; Shrovetide; Ushering out of winter festival; Soviet era; Public holidays.

ENThe relationship between ethnographic calendars and public holidays which were based upon them in the second half of the twentieth century in the context of Soviet ideology has, so far, not come under keener scrutiny by ethnologists. In modern research on issues of ethnic culture, including Užgavėnės, or Shrovetide, conducted during the Soviet period, the ethnocultural processes which took place are only cited episodically, listing negative factors which merged, leveled or otherwise distorted ethnic traditions. Although there may be objections to this statement, there were significant efforts made during this complex historical period to resist this, or at least partially preserve the identity of the ethnic group. The article analyzes how public celebrations of Užgavėnės/Ushering-out of Winter Holiday were organized and held during the Soviet period (ca. 1959–1989). It traces the evolution of the Soviet holiday and its relationship to the traditional/rural forms of celebrating Shrovetide. [From the publication]