Žemaitėjė.

There was time in my life that really matter and I am about to tell you my experience. I was 10 months in Lithuania. I lived in small village Plateliai and worked in Žemaitjos Nacionalinis parkas.

I was EVS volunteer like all of us in this blog, but I just had my own experience in this time and exact place, like no another. I think this is what makes EVS experience all so unique for every volunteer.

I decided not to make my own blog, as everything was too much to talk about, and wanted to say about it all in one big article when I am finished.

Lithuania is... well, whatever it is you need to come here and find it out yourself! My Lithuania is Lietuva with interesting culture and history. My Lithuania is Žemaitija (Samogitia) region, historical part of Lithuania where lived another tribe žemaitians, they came to live in this territory, but before there were living kurši (curonians) tribe, later on this 2 tribes in Lithuania territory assimilated in one another. Samogitians had their own language and traditions for many century's, till after the Battle of Grunwald (German: Schlacht bei Tannenberg, Lithuanian: Žalgirio mūšis) at 1410 they lost their independence and were integrated in Lithuanian culture gradually by many different occasions in history. This tribe accepted Christianity only in 15. century, it was the last baptized region in Europe. Lithuania got first independence after the World War I and so it integrated all 5 regions in to the Republic of Lithuania. To make it more clear, in Lithuanian language this region is called Žemaitija, in Žemaitian - Žemaitėjė, but in English - Samogitia, and it means - lowlands. It is one of 5 ethnographic regions in Lithuania. Right now their language is called as dialect, but in schools they have to learn Lithuanian literal language, what is general language for all country. They can speak their dialect at home and in public, unless it is not official. Then they have to switch to literal language. Žemaitians try to fight for their rights last years more active and so they have their newspapers, magazines, books, communities, celebrations and so on. They try to preserve culture and language heritage what is left, keep traditions alive and do research on this subjects deeper.

I also am partly Žemaitian as my grandparents were born in Žemaitija, but life took them away from their home towns, after the World War II they moved to live in Latvia and spend the rest of life there. My experience took place just around 80 km. from place I spend my childhood. And this 80 kilometers in my life changed a lot.

I guess there is many things what is possible to say about country and culture in it. Most of country's have also another cultures integrated within them. There is different tribes, languages, dialects, religions etc. Also Lithuania is one of them. There is different regions and each of it have specific background what formed them. But most different is Žemaitija region. It just stands out and it is its very own place. I came here to know my roots and understand this culture better.

In Žemaitija National park I spend very interesting time in my life.