The document summarizes two Lithuanian legends - the Legend of Pilėnai and the tale of Three Brothers. The Legend of Pilėnai is about the people of Pilėnai who sacrificed themselves for their freedom and independence, refusing to surrender to enemies and instead choosing to burn themselves and their castle. The tale of Three Brothers is about how the youngest brother is helped by ants, ducks, and bees he previously helped, allowing him to complete tasks and save his brothers from being turned to stone. Both stories illustrate the theme of solidarity and unity.

1. EC LLL Comenius Multilateral School Partnership Project „European Identity“ – „Europeanity“ 2008-2010 Year 2 Lithuanian Legends & Tales b y Dieveniškių “Ryto” Secondary School “ Europeanity“-„Eurotapatybė“, Comenius Mokymosi visą gyvenimą programos Daugiašalės mokyklų partnerystės projektas, finansuojamas remiant Europos Komisijai, sutarties Nr. LLP-COM-DP-2008-LT-00035 2/14/2010

3. Introduction Nowadays people think that tales and legends are not real. But each tale has an encoded set of rules of how to survive and have a prosperous life. Most Lithuanian tales have a common plot. It is a battle between bad and good powers. A vulnerable and gentle representative of Good usually does not break the code of proper behaviour. Thus he/she is supported by mystic (magicians, witches) and natural (birds, insects, plants) forces or household objects, and manages to get benefit (marry prince or princess, get a crown, wealth etc.) for the rest of his/her life. Usually in the start, the bad side is stronger, but, after, good characters win. This happens because of strong links and ties between them. Moreover, they have familiar aims. 2/14/2010

4. Now we will present two examples of an legend and tales. Now , we will present two examples of our legend s and tales , Pilėnai and Three Brothers . 2/14/2010

5. The legend of Pilėnai is about three big main things in Pilėnai people‘s hearts – love, freedom and unity. The legend of Pilėnai is about three main things in Pilėnai people‘s hearts – love, freedom and unity. 2/14/2010

6. Pilėnai The legend of Pilėnai is about a wish to be free and about the most important things: truth, courage and love for the homeland. This legend is unique, because there is included a deep idea of solidarity – fighting in all possible for one main reason; to defend their independence. The legend starts in the old castle. Princess of Pilėnai Mirta escaped with the enemy and after showed him the secret enter into Pilėnai. Then the enemies attacked the castle. When they had almost broken the gates of Pilėnai, the duke Margiris suggested every man to fight do death, with no surrender. Women, children and the old refused to be imprisoned and chose to burn themselves and the castle. All Pilėnai people died. When the enemies entered through the gates they saw no treasures in the castle, only lots of blood and fire... 2/14/2010

7. idea of unity has left. It was important not to be afraid of the collective decision. What really mattered was choosing independence, although it ment destroying their property and self. The legend of Pilėnai is about people who sacrificed themselves for their freedom because they didn’t want to be slaves. People who lived in Pilėnai died after having their land betrayed. It was important not to be afraid of the collective decision. What really mattered was choosing independence, although it ment destroying their property and self. Pilėnai people died, but their idea of unity has left. 2/14/2010

8. Here is another example, “Three brothers “. The tale is about a good guy who saved animals‘ life and for that these animals helped him. 2/14/2010

9. Three brothers left home to travel the world. 2/14/2010

10. On the way they saw an anthill and wanted to destroy it and see how the ants try to hide their children. But the youngster didn’t let them. 2/14/2010

11. They saw ducks in the lake and wanted to shoot and roast them. But the youngest brother didn’t let them. 2/14/2010

12. They saw a swarm of bees in the hole of the tree. They wanted to make a fire under the tree, smoke the bees and take the honey. But the youngest brother didn’t let them. 2/14/2010

13. After nine days and night, they arrived at a castle, where they had a sleep. But the castle was charmed. In the morning the castle keeper told them to do three jobs: bring a thousand of pearls from the moss-field, find the key from the princesses’ room on the bottom of the big lake, spot the youngest princess from the others princesses. All of these jobs had to be done one per day and day after the day. If they couldn’t complete it, they would be turned into stones. 2/14/2010

14. Two eldest brothers were frozen into the stones, but the youngest brother completed all tasks. 2/14/2010

15. The ants collected the pearls, 2/14/2010

16. the ducks found the key, 2/14/2010

17. the bees spotted the youngest princess. 2/14/2010

18. All in all, the castle and the elder brothers were saved from the charm. Each brother married a princess and they lived happily ever. 2/14/2010

19. The idea of solidarity reveals when the animals help the youngest brother in gratitude for theirs saved lives. Through their help all the brothers become happy. The idea of solidarity reveals when the animals help the youngest brother in gratitude for their saved lives. Through their help all the brothers become happy. 2/14/2010

20. The idea of solidarity reveals when the animals help the youngest brother in gratitude for theirs saved lives. Through their help all the brothers become happy. To sum up, even in a very magical tale, there is the idea of a way to right living, but it is hidden rather deeply. These two tales are a good example of unity. On the other hand, they are only two examples of many Lithuanian tales with the similar ideas of solidarity. 2/14/2010

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22. 2/14/2010 Acknowledgements We are grateful to the 5 th -12 th classes’ students for collaboration. They read and interpreted the tales in their pictures and paintings. The best works are included into this presentation (by Sabina Daugulytė , Pavel Žukovskij, Jūratė Mikoleikaitė, Karolina Staniulytė, Loreta Dvinielytė, Miglė Mikalauskaitė, Evelina Staniulytė, Edvinas Petrilovskis, Vitalija Urbelevič, Jonas Juruš, Jana Jodelo, Jūra Elena Šedytė and Karolina Kumidor ). Moreover, the winners o f the ‘Lithuanian Tales & Legends’ picture contest, Viktorija Kiseliova, Greta Kartanovič and Karolina Raževičiūtė created special illustrations for the winner of the best representative tale, “Three Brothers”. Special thanks are due to the librarian of the school, Ilona Baležentienė , and the teacher of Lithuanian, Vilma Kisielytė , for investigating literary resources and giving advices. We are grateful to our Arts and Technology teacher Renata Bartkevič for helping to organize and implement the Pictures & Paintings contest and exhibition. We admit the support of teachers and students who shared their opinions in finding out and generalizing the idea of solidarity in traditional Lithuanian texts. We would like to acknowledge the input made by Gintautas Jonas Šedys , a member of “ Rytas “ Europeanity Committee, who converted manuals to digitals, designed and carried out the book together with his fellow member and tutor Jurij Sinickij . In addition, we are grateful to the interpreters of Lithuanian texts, Erika Urbelevič and Angelina Cvilik , who summarized and translated Lithuanian texts. The introductory and concluding sections were composed due to collaboration of Anželika Ratkevičiūtė, Erika Urbelevič, and Angelina Cvilik and Jūra Elena Šedytė , together with the boys , Jurij Sinickij and Gintautas Jonas Šedys . The script and scenario is a product of interactive communication among Karolina, Anželika and Erika . And, last but not least, we are thankful to the secretary, Asta Žilienė, for helpfulness and good will to prepare prints and share computer resources, and Lolita Mikalauskienė , the headmistress, and Regina Barsulienė , the second headmistress, for permanent and live interest and furtherance. Ilona Šedienė, the coordinator of Lithuanian team

24. The Lithuanian Legend & Tales Book is made and designed by : Gintautas Jonas Šedys , Class 1 2 , Dieveniškių“Ryto” Secondary School , Šalčininkų r. gintautasjonas @gmail.com 2/14/2010