Žiburio Lituanistinė MokyklaŽiburio Archive
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III Tautinių Šokių Šventė
1968

III TAUTINIŲ ŠOKIŲ ŠVENTĖ

As printed in the program

Chicago, Illinois, International Amphitheatre·1968 m. liepos mėn. 7 d.

“Lietuvos laisvės kovos metai”

Daužvardis frames the festival as a demonstration for Lithuania's independence — the sharpest political statement in the 1968 program.

— Žiburio Archive, editorial note

How this catalog frames the moment

OccupationThe catalog explicitly frames the Soviet occupation as an ongoing injustice, contrasting the freedom of diaspora Lithuanians with the oppression of those in occupied Lithuania. The festival is positioned as a direct response to Soviet cultural erasure, particularly the ban on commemorating Lithuania's independence.

Diaspora identityThe diaspora is portrayed as the custodian of Lithuanian culture and the torchbearer of the struggle for independence. Identity is defined by resistance, cultural preservation, and solidarity with occupied Lithuania, with folk dance serving as a living link to the homeland.

What is left unsaidThere is no mention of any compromise or reconciliation with the Soviet regime. The catalog avoids any language that could imply acceptance of Lithuania's occupation, instead emphasizing defiance and hope for restoration. Additionally, there is no reference to the Soviet Union by name, only as an unnamed ''occupant'' or ''foreign power.''

Cover art
TELESFORAS VALIUS
Organized by
TREČIOSIOS TAUTINIŲ ŠOKIŲ ŠVENTĖS KOMITETASJUNGTINIŲ AMERIKOS VALSTYBIŲ IR KANADOS LIETUVIŲ BENDRUOMENĖ
Pages
64
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Official greetings in this program

Hubert H. Humphrey
p. 4
The Vice President of the United States
“By preserving your wonderful Lithuanian traditions, you contribute not only enjoyment but strength to America.”
Source: p. 4
John W. McCormack
p. 5
Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
“I sincerely hope that the people of Lithuania will regain their liberty and independence in the near future. I shall do all that I can in this respect.”
Source: p. 5
Richard J. Daley
p. 7
Mayor of the City of Chicago
“NOW, THEREFORE, I, Richard J. Daley, Mayor of the City of Chicago, do designate the period July 5, 6 and 7 as LITHUANIAN YOUTH DAYS IN CHICAGO...”
Source: p. 7
Petras Daužvardis
p. 8
Lietuvos Generalinis Konsulas, Chicago
“Turint galvoje skaudžią Lietuvos padėtį, tebūnie šis laisvųjų lietuvių festivalis ne tik tautinių šokių šventė, bet kartu ir Lietuvos Nepriklausomybės atkūrimo demonstracija, siekianti Lietuvai laisvės ir savivaldos.”

Considering Lithuania's painful situation, let this festival of free Lithuanians be not only a celebration of national dances but also a demonstration for the restoration of Lithuania's independence, seeking freedom and self-governance for Lithuania.

Source: p. 8
“Considering Lithuania's painful situation, let this festival of free Lithuanians be not only a celebration of national dances but also a demonstration for the restoration of Lithuania's independence, seeking freedom and self-governance for Lithuania.”

Turint galvoje skaudžią Lietuvos padėtį, tebūnie šis laisvųjų lietuvių festivalis ne tik tautinių šokių šventė, bet kartu ir Lietuvos Nepriklausomybės atkūrimo demonstracija, siekianti Lietuvai laisvės ir savivaldos.

— Petras Daužvardis, Lietuvos Generalinis Konsulas, p. 8

Themes articulated by this catalog

  1. 01The festival is a political act of resistance against Soviet occupation, framed as a demonstration for Lithuania's independence and freedom.
  2. 02Lithuanian folk dance is a living archive of national identity, preserving cultural heritage that the Soviet regime seeks to erase in occupied Lithuania.
  3. 03The diaspora's role is to sustain Lithuanian culture and pass it to younger generations, ensuring its survival until Lithuania regains independence.
  4. 04Folk dance is both an artistic expression and a tool for moral and national education, fostering solidarity among Lithuanians worldwide.
  5. 05The festival serves as proof that even the youngest generation of diaspora Lithuanians remains culturally and politically engaged, countering claims of assimilation.

Named in this catalog · 10

More forthcoming as full-catalog transcription completes

  • VYTAUTAS RADŽIUS · Editor
  • TELESFORAS VALIUS · Cover and publication graphic designer
  • JUOZAS SLABOKAS · Proofreader
  • Vytautas Mačernis · Poet (quoted)
  • Juozas Bachunas · President, Pasaulio Lietuvių Bendruomenė
  • A. Rinkūnas · Essayist
  • Josephine J. Dauivardis · Essayist
  • Inga Tumienė · Choreographer, Audra dance group
  • Danutė Barauskaitė · Organizer, Audra dance group
  • Vytenis Dūda · Organizer and senior member, Audra dance group

Ensembles · 3

More forthcoming as full-catalog transcription completes

  • Audra · Los Angeles, USA
  • Dainavos ansamblis · Chicago, USA
  • Gimimo Švč. Mergelės Marijos parapijos choras · Chicago, USA
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