Strangers in Lithuanian folklore

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Etniniai ir konfesiniai stereotipai; Etniškumas; Kitataučiai; Lietuvių folkloras; Tautosaka; Stereotipai; Svetimtaučiai; Ethnical and confessional stereotypes; Ethnicity; Lithuanian folklore; Stereotypes; Strangers.

ENThis article analyses the specific features of strangers (people of other nations) in Lithuanian folklore. The views of Lithuanians about strangers will be examined as they are reflected in verbal art from the end of the 19th century to the first half of the 20th century. In reality, ethnic groups do not mean exactly the same thing as strangers in folklore. However, verbal art reflects all the ethnic stereotypes - it sheds light upon ancient views that were held about other nations. Folklore helps us to see that although it seems that the world has made great progress as far as the rapprochement of different nations and cultures is concerned, the same stereotypes still exist. [From the publication]