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Nestled between Poland, Belarus, and Latvia, Lithuania, a country in northeastern Europe, might initially seem similar to its Baltic neighbors. While these nations share some common history, Lithuania stands out with its own unique culture and a rich tapestry of customs.
With a population of fewer than three million, Lithuania boasts a rich historical narrative and modern-day appeal. From its delectable cuisine to globally acclaimed music and traditions rooted in both paganism and Christianity, it remains one of Europe's hidden gems.
10. Lithuania Once Dominated Europe
The name 'Lithuania' has a history that spans over a millennium. The earliest reference to its Latin form, 'Litua,' dates back to 1009 in the 'Annals of Quedlinburg.' During this period, the region faced Viking invasions and taxing by various Danish rulers. By the close of the 14th century, however, following a series of military successes, Lithuania became one of Europe's largest empires, extending its reach to parts of modern Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, and Russia.
This union came to be known as the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which, among other developments, ushered in the gradual Christianization of one of Europe's last pagan strongholds. Poland was a steadfast ally, and in 1569, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was formed. This unique arrangement allowed both nations to remain separate in many respects, maintaining distinct armies, currencies, and laws. The Commonwealth reached its height in the early 17th century.
However, the decline began soon after. In 1655, Russia’s army ravaged and plundered Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, and the Great Northern War of 1700-1721 inflicted further losses in both lives and wealth. Tragically, the aftermath saw a devastating plague and famine, claiming around 40% of the population.
In a final attempt to preserve its independence, the joint Sejm (Parliament) of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth adopted a new Constitution in 1791, inspired by the recently ratified United States Constitution. Unfortunately, this measure proved futile. By 1795, the Commonwealth was divided among Russia, Prussia, and the Austria-led Habsburg Monarchy, with most of Lithuania falling under Russian control.
9. So Nice, They Freed It Twice
In recognition of its turbulent past and resilient present, Lithuania observes two national holidays dedicated to its independence. February 16 marks the Restoration of the State Day, commemorating one of history’s most remarkable ‘none of the above’ answers in the multiple-choice exam of fate.
Although Lithuania had been an independent nation since the 13th century, in 1795, it fell under the control of the Russian Empire. This period of Russian rule lasted until German troops took over during World War I. Neither country, struggling with Germany's failing war effort and Russia's 1917 revolution, was in a strong position to dominate Lithuania. Under pressure from both, Lithuania made a bold decision: neither. It declared its independence while the two would-be oppressors focused on their own pressing issues.
Lithuania's independence lasted until 1940, when Soviet forces, engaged in the battle against Hitler, took control of the country. The Nazis drove the Soviet army out temporarily, but by 1944, Lithuania was back in Soviet hands. It remained behind the Iron Curtain of the USSR until the bloc's collapse in 1989. Lithuania declared its official independence from Soviet Russia on March 11, 1990, which is now celebrated as Restoration of Independence Day.
Both of Lithuania’s independence days are observed with business closures, and the streets are decorated with banners, flags, and clothing in the nation’s national colors: yellow, green, and red.
8. The Longest Peaceful Protest Ever
When we say 'longest,' we truly mean it—nearly 700 kilometers of determined citizens rallying for freedom.
August 23, 1989 marked the 50th anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, a 1939 non-aggression agreement between Hitler’s Germany and Stalin’s Soviet Union. Although Germany soon violated the pact by invading Russia, the treaty secretly included a clause—the Secret Protocol—that outlined the division of influence between the two powers over Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and other nations in the region. While Hitler’s Third Reich was dismantled just six years later, these countries remained under Soviet control as war-torn prizes of conquest.
The USSR held its ground for decades but eventually began to crumble. Three months before the fall of the Berlin Wall, more than two million people from the Baltic states—one million from Lithuania alone—formed a human chain in a powerful plea for independence. This event, known as the Baltic Way, saw a 675-kilometer stretch of human solidarity, linking Tallinn, Estonia, to Vilnius, Lithuania.
Instead of denying the truth, the USSR chose to confront the issue head-on. It acknowledged the existence of the Secret Protocol and declared it null and void. This step was crucial in the journey toward restoring independence for Lithuania and the other Baltic nations.
7. Lithuanian Traditions Blend Christianity and Paganism
Many of Lithuania’s traditions are a fusion of ancient Baltic pagan rituals and Christian practices. The result is a fascinating mix of old and new, where time-honored beliefs evolve, yet preserve the essence of the nation’s deep-rooted cultural identity.
One of the most charming cultural traditions takes place on Christmas Eve, known as Kucios in Lithuania. Lithuanians gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus while honoring their agricultural and pagan roots. Among the customs is the tradition of tasting 12 meatless dishes, each one symbolizing a wish for a prosperous year ahead. They also set out a plate of food overnight for their deceased loved ones. In a fascinating twist, Lithuanians believe that Christ’s birth was so miraculous that it turned well water into wine and granted the animals in the barn the ability to speak. In recognition of these anthropomorphized creatures, pets are often treated to human food during the Kucios celebration.
Lithuanians also have a unique way of ushering in summer. According to ancient belief, on June 23, witches would gather at midnight and fly to the hills of Šatrija or Rambynas to celebrate. On this night, which is considered the shortest night of the year despite falling just after the summer solstice, Lithuanians light bonfires to ward off witches and other malevolent spirits.
During this pagan-inspired tradition, known as Jonines, participants search for a mythical blooming fern said to possess magical powers. Additionally, anyone who bathes in the dew of the next morning is promised good health for the rest of the year. The most authentic and spectacular Jonines celebrations are held at the Kernave archaeological site near Vilnius.
6. Lithuania's Language is One of the Oldest in the World
While most European languages belong to the Indo-European family, these languages began to diverge around 3500 BC. This divergence led to the development of numerous languages such as German, Italian, and English. Although these “offspring” languages still share some common features, they have gradually lost many of the linguistic characteristics they once shared.
For some reason, Lithuanian did not take the same divergent path as other languages, instead preserving many features of Proto-Indo-European (PIE) – the language believed to have been spoken around 3500 BC. Due to the Baltic's relative isolation thousands of years ago, Lithuanian has maintained more of the sounds and grammatical structures from PIE than any of its linguistic relatives, making it one of the oldest languages in the world.
Lithuanian also carries notable influences from ancient Sanskrit. As languages go, it's considered one of the more challenging to learn, highlighted by the 37-letter word, 'Nebeprisikiškiakopusteliaudamas', which roughly means 'a group of people who once went to the forest to gather rabbit grass, but no longer do.' Certainly an interesting word.
5. Lithuanian Children Eagerly Await Easter... Granny?
What makes more sense than a bunny – a creature not associated with candy or egg-laying – delivering dyed eggs and chocolates on the most sacred day of the Christian calendar? Almost anything, really.
In Lithuania, the task of hiding pastel eggs and giving children cavities falls to Velyku Bobute, the Easter Granny. Kids eagerly prepare for her arrival by placing empty handmade egg nests in their gardens or shrubs outside their homes. According to tradition, the Easter Granny drives a cart pulled by a pony and uses a sunbeam whip to hurry along, which may raise the ire of fictional animal rights activists.
Granny’s approach is clever, not laborious. She has assistants – yes, bunnies – who dye the eggs and fill the cart. Then, she sets off on her yearly journey, delivering eggs and sweets while children are fast asleep. Unsurprisingly, Velyku Bobute is often emulated by real grandmothers, who dress up to the delight of their grandchildren.
Lithuania boasts another delightful Easter tradition: housecall choir singing. Much like Christmas carolers, joyful Lithuanians sing hymns in exchange for decorated eggs, candies, or other treats. All things considered, it’s clear that Lithuanians celebrate Easter in a way that outshines the majority of the world.
4. A Rich Tradition of Folk Music
Before the modern age, Lithuanians were accustomed to singing throughout the day, creating a soundtrack for their daily lives. Some of the country's oldest songs describe very specific activities, such as sowing, while others commemorate more universally recognized events, like harvests, weddings, and going off to war.
Lithuanian folk songs, especially those from the pre-19th century, are rich with diminutives. Among these are the sutartines, multipart songs performed by two to four singers. These unique songs, few of which have similar counterparts in Europe, are rightfully included on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Lithuania continues to celebrate its folk music traditions through various festivals, the most significant being the Dainu švente (translated as 'Song Festival'), which first took place in 1924. Additionally, the Baltica International Folklore Festival, dedicated to the folk music and cultures of all the Baltic nations, is held annually in one of the Baltic states.
In recent years, a fresh musical subgenre has emerged in Lithuania, blending traditional folk with rock: folk rock. The example provided below is both entertaining and includes English subtitles for better understanding.
3. Lithuanian Cuisine: Simple Yet Satisfying
Like many of its Eastern European neighbors, Lithuania has a cuisine centered around hearty meals, primarily featuring meats and potatoes. While the dishes are not particularly complex, they are comforting and satisfying. The food staples of Lithuania are perfect for its cool, damp climate, with ingredients like barley, potatoes, rye, beets, greens, berries, and various mushrooms taking center stage in most meals.
Given its proximity to Poland, it’s no surprise that Lithuania has its own variation of pierogies. The national dish, cepelinai, consists of large dumplings made from potato dough, stuffed with pork, and topped with a creamy bacon sauce (delicious!). Beetroot soup, which is essentially a warm, flavorful borscht, is a common appetizer, often paired with fried rye bread. A particularly unique treat is kibinai, soft-crusted hand pies filled with a mixture of meat, vegetables, cheese curd, and berry jams. These sweet, savory pies are closely associated with Lithuania's sizable Kariates population, an ethnic Turkic group.
Lithuanians don’t shy away from unconventional foods. They literally eat crow. While the wild crow is often considered a nuisance in many places, in Lithuania its tender meat is a delicacy. Caught while still young and before they leave the nest, these crows are considered particularly tasty, with a flavor said to resemble quail.
2. Inventions: From the Delicious to the Deadly
Lithuanians have also made remarkable contributions to the world of inventions. One such creation is the non-invasive cranial pressure meter, which has significantly advanced medical technology compared to invasive methods. Another notable invention by Lithuanian Gasparas Kazlauskas is the orbital tube welding head, a tool that allows metalworkers to produce perfectly symmetrical circles. This innovation was instrumental in creating the radioisotope thermoelectric generators used on NASA's Apollo missions during the 1970s.
A Lithuanian is also credited with the creation of one of the world’s most iconic sandwiches. The Reuben, made with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing on grilled rye bread, has been a favorite for over a century. While Arnold Reuben, a New York delicatessen owner, claims to have invented the sandwich around 1914, Lithuanian-born Reuben Kulakofsky insists it was his own creation.
One of Lithuania’s most bizarre and dark inventions is undeniably the Euthanasia rollercoaster. In 2010, Julijonas Urbonas became the first person in the world to design (or even contemplate) a hypothetical rollercoaster intended to provide a thrilling and ultimately lethal experience. The concept centers around a quick, euphoric death caused by G-force-induced cerebral hypoxia. Urbonas imagines this chilling ride featuring 24 seats, though it remains unclear whether group discounts might be offered.
1. Lithuania Has a National Scent
Every nation has its own symbolic representations – emblems that invoke pride, nostalgia, or respect. For example, the United States adopted the bald eagle as its official bird in 1782, just one year after the American Revolutionary War ended. The tulip is a beloved symbol of the Netherlands, while Canada’s maple leaf proudly represents its famous maple syrup, a product that pre-dates European settlers.
In a unique move, Lithuania has an official national scent. Created by the renowned perfumer Galimard, the fragrance 'Lietuvos Kvapas,' or 'The Scent of Lithuania,' is a sophisticated blend of bergamot, wildflowers, ginger, raspberry, and grapefruit, with deep base notes of amber, cedar, sandalwood, patchouli, and, interestingly, tree moss and smoke.
Although it's primarily a clever marketing strategy aimed at boosting Lithuania's allure to tourists, there is real scientific reasoning behind the fragrance. It's well-documented that pleasant scents can trigger memories and a sense of yearning, meaning that someone who catches a whiff of Lietuvos Kvapas in London is more likely to book a flight to Vilnius. The fragrance even comes with a matching scented candle. Stay classy, Lithuania.
