XIV Lietuvių Tautinių Šokių Šventė
As printed in the program
“Šokių sūkury – Lietuva širdy”
This 2012 Boston catalog marks the first time the festival was held on the U.S. East Coast, reflecting the diaspora’s geographic expansion and adaptability. The editorial narrative strongly ties the festival’s origins to Cold War-era political advocacy, positioning it as both a cultural and political act of resistance. The inclusion of greetings from Lithuania’s president and Massachusetts’ governor underscores the event’s dual role in diaspora community-building and international diplomacy.
— Žiburio Archive, editorial note
How this catalog frames the moment
OccupationThe catalog explicitly references Lithuania’s struggle for freedom during Soviet occupation, framing the festival as a celebration of resilience and a platform for political advocacy. It notes the participation of diaspora Lithuanians in earlier festivals as acts of defiance and cultural preservation under occupation.
Diaspora identityThe catalog frames diaspora Lithuanian identity as both a custodian of tradition and a bridge to Lithuania. It emphasizes the diaspora’s role in maintaining cultural continuity, fostering ties with Lithuania, and passing heritage to younger generations, while adapting to new environments.
What is left unsaidThe catalog does not directly address contemporary geopolitical tensions or Lithuania’s post-Soviet challenges, focusing instead on historical struggles and cultural celebration. There is also no explicit mention of non-Lithuanian minority groups or multiculturalism within the diaspora.
- Organized by
- Lietuvių Tautinių Šokių Institutas (LTSI Inc.)XIV Tautinių Šokių Šventės Rengimo Komitetas
- Pages
- 130–160
Official greetings in this program
“Linkiu, kad ši ypatinga patirtis paskatintų visus dalyvius tęsti gražią tautinių šokių švenčių tradiciją ir nuolatos sugrįžti įkvėpti lietuviškumu kitus.”
I wish that this special experience would encourage all participants to continue the beautiful tradition of folk dance festivals and constantly return to inspire others with Lithuanian spirit.
“Massachusetts is proud of its robust Lithuanian American community, and I am delighted this year's event will take place in Boston for the first time in its history.”
The Governor welcomes participants to Boston, highlighting the significance of the festival in celebrating Lithuanian heritage and the contributions of the Lithuanian American community in Massachusetts.
Source: p. 9“For the fourteenth time, Lithuanians from all over the world will gather to rejoice in Lithuanian spirit and continue our nation’s dance traditions.”
Keturioliktąjį kartą lietuviai iš viso pasaulio susirinks pasidžiaugti lietuviškumu ir pratęsti mūsų tautos tradicijų šokiu.
Themes articulated by this catalog
- 01The festival serves as a vital link for the Lithuanian diaspora to preserve and celebrate their cultural identity through folk dance, reinforcing ties to Lithuania and its traditions.
- 02The event is framed as a temporary re-creation of Lithuania abroad, fostering unity among Lithuanians scattered worldwide and passing cultural heritage to younger generations.
- 03The catalog emphasizes the festival’s role in political advocacy, historically highlighting Lithuania’s struggle for freedom and using the event to raise awareness among international audiences.
- 04The continuity of the festival tradition is portrayed as a testament to resilience, with each iteration adapting to changing circumstances while maintaining its core mission of cultural preservation.
- 05The festival is positioned as an inclusive space for all generations, from children to veterans, ensuring the transmission of Lithuanian dance and values across age groups.
Named in this catalog · 40
More forthcoming as full-catalog transcription completes
- Marius Žiaugra · Rengimo Komiteto Pirmininkas (Organizing Committee Chairperson)
- Romas Jonušonis · Meno vadovas (Artistic Director)
- Vida Brazaitytė · Meno vadovė (Artistic Director)
- Vida Brazaitytė · LTSI Inc. Valdybos narė
- Tatyana Mazur · Choreographer
- Viktorija Rimaitė-Marčiulaitienė · Choreographer
- Jūratė Čapaitė · Choreographer
- Vidmantas Mačiulskis · Choreographer
- Inga Kuznecova · Choreographer
- Milda Bertulytė · Choreographer
- Artūras Masėnas · Choreographer
- Birutė Navickaitė · Choreographer
- Laimutė Kisielienė · Choreographer
- Juozas Gudavičius · Choreographer
- Genovaitė Breichmanienė · Choreographer
- Danutė Žičkuvienė · Choreographer
- Tamara Kalibataitė · Choreographer
- Vytautas Buterlevičius · Choreographer
- Genovaitė Juknevičienė · Choreographer
- Stasė Urbanavičiūtė · Choreographer
- Vitalija Šakytė-Ivinskienė · Choreographer
- Ričardas Tamutis · Choreographer
- Alfredas Kondratavičius · Choreographer
- Kęstutis Daugirdas · Pranešėjas (Announcer)
- Greta Šmidt · Pranešėja (Announcer)
- Aušrinė Širvinskienė · Teksto autorė (Script)
- Ričardas Širvinskas · Vaizdinio apipavidalinimas (Visual Design)
- Gintaras Grinkevičius · Aikštės vadovas (Stage Manager), Kūrybinio komiteto narys
- Bill Kenney · Produkcijos direktorius (Production Manager)
- Romas Šležas · Video techninis direktorius (Video Technical Director)
- Rolandas Kiaulevičius · Rekvizitai (Props)
- Daina Žemaitaitytė · LTSI Inc. Valdybos narė
- Danguolė Varnienė · LTSI Inc. Valdybos pirmininkė
- Tomas Mikuckis · LTSI Inc. Valdybos narys
- Saulius Liauša · Lietuvių liaudies kultūros centro direktorius
- Vidmantas Mačiulskis · Humanitarinių mokslų daktaras, Klaipėdos universiteto choreografijos katedros docentas
- Darius Polikaičius · „Dainavos“ ansamblio meno vadovas
- Veronika Povilionienė · Lietuvių liaudies folkloro dainininkė
- Valdas Ramanauskas · Muzikinių įrašų survarkytojas
- Karilė Vaitkutė · Vertėja į anglų kalbą
Ensembles · 4
More forthcoming as full-catalog transcription completes
- Vilniaus universiteto dainų ir šokių ansamblis · Vilnius, Lithuania
- Grandinėle · Panevėžys, Lithuania
- Kalnapulė · Neringa, Lithuania
- Sugrįžus · Vilnius, Lithuania