Comenius Multilateral Schoolpartnership: "To play or not to play with water"

Lifelong Learning Programme Comenius Multilateral Schoolpartnership: "To play or not to play with water" Lithuania Ukmergė, Užupio secondary school

Lithuania=Rain • Water worshipping • Legends • Proverbs

Lithuania=Rain • The name of Lithuania originated from the word,,Lietus”, which means ,,Rain”. • The name of the country approves of the reality, because there are lots of rains, showers and storms.

Water worshipping traditions in ancient Lithuania(I) The Lithuanians felt a great respect for water. One of the oldest worshippings of water was to maintain its cleanness. Since old times it was forbidden to pollute water. Pay attention to the folk wisdom : Don’t foul the well, you may need its water.

Water worshipping(II) • In dry year people prayed for Water God, asking for mercy. • In calendar and family feasts water was used as the main power which cleaned and gave holiness. That is seen in the oldest folk songs which were considered as prayers.

Water worshipping(III) • In the ancient times villages were situated next to the water reservoirs. Why? Because the water reservoir helped people to live, earn their living by fishing, agriculture and cattle-breading. • Water was almighty for people, that is why they glorified and worshipped it.

Legend about Ukmerge There is a legend about the origin of Ukmergė’s name . Thelegend is about a wolf and a young girl.Once upon a time three priestesses stoked the fire near the stream. After some time two of priestesses went to pick the berries and one of them stayed to stoke a fire. In the evening the priestesses didn’t come back. The other girl fell asleep and the wolf tore her. When the priestesses came back they saw that the wolf had eatentheir friend. This place was named Vilkmerge and the stream Vilkmergele. Later people renamed it Ukmerge.

Nemunas Legend (I) Long time ago there lived an extraordinary weaver called Upė(English:River). Nemunas’ father Dainius came to the weaver and asked her to make him a tablecloth. Upė’s fabrics ended and she didn’t have it any more.

Nemunas Legend (II) But she had a willow twig and at night she collected all the clouds. Then she started to weave. The tablecloth impressed Nemunas, so he asked Upė to marry him.The river Nemunas is the longest one in Lithuania.

Proverbs are the wisdom of nations (I) • The last drop makes the cup run over. • Constant dropping wears the stone. • Still waters run deep.

Proverbs are the wisdom of nations (II) • A storm in a tea-cup. • Water from tears is saltier than sea water. • Much water has rununder the bridge since then.

Proverbs are the wisdom of nations (III) • No striving against the stream. • Don’t go near the water until you learn how to swim. • You can bring a camel to waterbut you can’t make him drink it.

Proverbs are the wisdom of nations (IV) • It is a drop in the ocean. • After a storm comes a calm. • Standing pools gather filth.

Thank You!

Comenius Multilateral Schoolpartnership: "To play or not to play with water"