Lithuania is known for its natural beauties, cultural diversity, unique architecture, and high quality of life. With the help of folklore and traditions, the country has managed to create a memorable New Year’s celebration. Do you know how to say Happy New Year in Lithuanian? And how much do you know about this hidden gem of Europe? If you are ready to explore more about this information, then this post is perfect for you!
Lithuanian New Year’s is the most important and most culturally celebrated holiday in Lithuania. It’s a perfect time to reflect on what we have achieved, to look back and think about where you are going in life, and for people who are just starting out, it can be a good idea to set some goals for the coming year ahead. In this article, we’ll dive deep into Lithuanian’s most common New Year’s customs and traditions.
The History Of New Year’s Day In Lithuania
New Year’s Day is a movable feast around the world. Yet, many countries have been celebrating the first day of the year on January 1st, and it is a time for family and friends to get together. The Lithuanian New Year is a time when friends get together and enjoy themselves, unlike Christian holidays, which are family events. With the whole nation throwing parties this time of year, restaurants can get fully booked up to a month in advance.
New Year was heavily promoted during the Soviet occupation. It began in 1940, attempted to change the heritage customs of the festive season by promoting New Year instead of Christmas. The state-controlled ideology was not fully successful in this endeavor – however, it did manage to promote New Year traditions such as “New Year trees” and “New year presents” and move them from Christmas to the New Year instead.
One interesting fact is that Lithuanians are quite fond of Asian horoscope, and they tend to associate every year with a particular element or an animal, which leads to a strange combination of Western and Eastern culture.
Lithuanian New Year’s Celebration
Compared to Christmas Eve, New Year’s celebration in Lithuania is a time for friends and growing connections, especially for millennials. There is a saying in Lithuania, “Kaip sutiksi naujus metus, taip juos ir praleisi,” which translated to English means “the way you’ll meet the new year is the way you will spend it.” So naturally, most youngsters in Lithuania try to have a great time and as much fun as possible.
However, according to Lithuania Tribune, most adults prefer staying at home having dinner with their friends and the closest ones, while teens and young adults prefer going clubbing. When it comes to the elderly, two out of three people will choose to stay at home and celebrate in the comfort of their own home.
New Year For Kids
Many parents worldwide are faced with the dilemma of how to celebrate New Year’s Eve with their kids, and Lithuanians are no different. Decorating the house, getting kids involved, playing games, and having some usually does the trick, so it’s typical for kids in Lithuania to spend New Year’s Eve at home with their parents.
New Year For Teens And Young Adults
With its rich history and culture, Lithuania attracts tourists from all over the world. The country has a lot to offer in terms of sightseeing in different regions and traditions, but it also has a booming nightlife scene. For young people in Lithuania, the practice of going clubbing and celebrating New Year’s Eve with friends is more popular than staying home with their families.
New Year For Adults And Seniors
Older people and adults usually celebrate the new year with family and friends.
The Most Popular Lithuanian New Year Traditions
Lithuanians have many customs and traditions unique to their culture and are celebrated at different times throughout the year. Many of these traditions stem from pagan influences and might not be so prevalent in our modern world. Still, it is essential to remember that they contribute to the uniqueness of Lithuanian culture. For example, from midnight on December 31st, one can hear the traditional Lithuanian ringing bells.
In Lithuania, Christmas Eve is called “little New Year’s Eve,” as that day marks the beginning of a celebration similar to the one that happens around the clock on December 25th. Besides food, Christmas Day also offers traditions like dressing up and visiting relatives. In addition, people stay up to midnight to wish each other a Happy New Year (“Laimingų naujųjų metų“) because they believe it’s a bad omen to sleep through the New Year’s celebration.
Fortune telling and making predictions have been a big part of holidays for people worldwide for as long as anyone can remember.
New Year Dishes And Drinks
Many Lithuanians will be sitting down to a hearty meal to celebrate New Year’s Eve. New Year’s Eve is one of the most important holidays of the year in Lithuania, so food and drink will always be on the table. Some of the traditional dishes that are expected to appear on their tables are the same ones that people eat for Christmas, such as sauerkraut or mushroom soup, baked potatoes, fish, and sweet pastries.
Pyrotechnics
Lithuanian people leave large amounts of money in pyrotechnics stalls for New Year’s. They typically celebrate this event from noon until midnight by setting off large amounts of fireworks, often from a set point where they can be seen from various points around the city. It is believed that lighting fireworks bring good luck and happiness to friends and family members. None of these activities is funded or organized by the state, but they do make an exception for the holidays and allow people to use fireworks without any permit for this one night during the year.
Parties And Clubbing
It is common for young Lithuanians to celebrate by going to New Year’s Eve clubbing parties or celebrations. In the past, Lithuanians spent the night at home with family. But as times have changed, New Year’s Eve is now when young people go out and party with friends. Lithuania offers various options to partygoers, and there are even some bars that offer drinks at a reduced price between 11 pm and 6 am.
Happy New Year In Lithuanian
If you wish to visit Lithuania for the holidays, you should be familiar with some common words and phrases, so check the table below for more information.
English | Lithuanian |
New Year | Naujieji metai |
New Year’s Eve | Naujųjų metų vakaras |
Happy New Year | Laimingų Naujųjų metų |
New Year’s resolution | Naujųjų metų pažadas |
party | vakarėlis |
clubbing | klubavimas |
celebration | šventė |
fireworks | fejerverkai |
firecrackers | petardos |
countdown | atgalinis skaičiavimas |
dancing | šokimas |
drinking | girtavimas |
singing | dainavimas |
Christmas tree | Kalėdų eglutė |
midnight | vidurnaktis |
Fun Fact: The Vilnius TV Tower Tree
The Vilnius TV Tower in Lithuania becomes a giant Christmas tree for New Year’s!
The tower is lit up with 3,000 lights to become an enormous and absolutely spectacular Christmas tree, making the holiday season even more festive. The Vilnius Christmas tree is an amazing and jaw-dropping sight, blending tradition with modernity.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve With Ling App
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Ling App is designed for people who want to learn a new language but don’t know how or where to start. It has features that make it stand out from other language apps like Rosetta Stone, Duolingo, etc. Ling App has everything you need to learn Lithuanian, which no other program offers, so treat yourself with the best New Year’s gift, sign up for Ling now and start learning!
Laimingų naujųjų metų everyone!