Užkopus į varpų bokštą
LTVarpai, sukaupę savyje technologijos, dailės, istorinės atminties ir net raštijos verčių aspektus, yra labai vertingi kultūros paveldo objektai. Gaila tik, kad įkelti į bokštų aukštybes, jie tampa girdimi, bet dažniausiai nebematomi. Ne mažiau vertingi Lietuvos bažnyčiose yra bokštų laikrodžiai. Paveldosauginio pobūdžio leidinyje aprašomi vertingiausi istoriniai Lietuvos bažnyčių bokšto varpai ir su jais sujungti laikrodžiai. Aprašomas tradicinis varpų naudojimą bažnytinėje liturgijoje, varpų liejybos bei laikrodininkystės istorija Europoje ir Lietuvoje, garsiausi meistrai ir liejyklos, folkloriniai tikėjimai varpo garsų galia, legendiniai ir tikri varpų nutikimai karų bei okupacijų metais. Išmaniuoju įrenginiu nuskaičius QR kodą galima išgirsti kai kurių bokštų varpų ir laikrodžių skambesį. [Iš leidinio]Reikšminiai žodžiai: Varpai; Laikrodžiai; Paveldas; Bells; Watches; Heritage.
ENThe publication describes the most valuable bells of the Lithuanian churches and town hall towers and the mechanical clocks connected to them in terms of cultural heritage. It reviews the traditional use of bells in church liturgy, folkloric beliefs in the power of bell sounds, ancient bronze technology and the history of foundries in Europe and Lithuania, legendary and true bells occurrences during the war and occupation. The significance of the invention and further development of the clock for civilization and the first works of clockmakers in our country were also discussed. The bell of the church is a symbol of the union of earth and heaven; its sounds invite for prayer, contemplation, recollection. Bells also announce important community events: church festivals, clergymen ingresses, parish weddings and funerals. Thus, the ringing of the bells marks the sacred time that guides thoughts to eternity. Bells were also ringing in the face of enemy attacks, natural disasters, and efforts to delay infectious epidemics. Such bells, which are so important to the liturgy and the community, were made as works of art: ornamented, adorned with spiritual Latin expressions, quotes from Sacred Scripture, images of saints. As the Magdeburgic privileges of the cities spread, the bells began to be used by magistrates as well. Most often the bells were connected to the clock of the town hall tower, a symbol of self-government. The bell is the voice of the clock that dictates the rhythm of city life. Under the sound of the town hall bell, the city gates opened, it marked the beginning of markets, magistrates', merchants’ guilds and craftsmen’s meetings, celebrations of citizens.Bells are also signs of historical memory: it was customary to record in the bronze of the bell the year of manufacturing, the location of the foundry, the names of the orderers, the in tent and purpose of the casting, and the traditional Latin phrase Me fecit... ("I was made"). Lithuania is proud of the third world Bell of Freedom, which was made in 1919, marking the gained independence of the state. 216 о Later, the use of bells expanded. In town halls bells became musical instruments; they started to be assembled into chimes. Then carillons and musical pieces dedicated to them were born. Bells were also placed in fire towers, appeared in ships, railway stations, mailcoaches. Similarly, they announced the beginning and end of classes in schools. Thus, bells that combine aspects of technology, art, historical memory, and even writing are very valuable cultural heritage objects. But when placed in the towers, they are audible but mostly invisible. The publication focuses on the bells which were made in our country because their quality is an important indicator of the technological level of Lithuania in various past periods. Tower clocks are particularly rare in Lithuanian churches; iron handmade mechanisms testify to the skills of our craftsmen, while imported clocks witness the tradition of patronage and trade links with other countries. The publication describes the most interesting stories of bells and clocks in bell towers of Lithuanian towns and villages (Vilnius, Kaunas, Panevėžys, Žeimelis, Žagarė, Dusetos, Rokiškis, Čiobiškis, Varniai, Pažaislis, Alanta, etc.). And while travelling in different regions of the country - Seaside, Selonia, Suwałki - it is worth taking a look at this cultural heritage. [From the publication]
