A Ringing Saturday in the Juniper Valley
It all began with a legend, conceived by Laima Kalėdaitė. Perhaps it sounds like this – or maybe a little different.
Long, long ago in this world lived a devil. He was the only one left among the giants and fairies… He had fallen in love with a fairy maiden who, in the quiet evenings, sang lullabies – but paid no attention at all to the little devil.
One giant gave him advice:
– If you gather and eat ninety-nine juniper berries, you will become a man of true stature and strength!
And off ran the little devil across fields, over hills, through woods. He gathered the berries in secret, so no one would see or hear him. He wandered far – beyond nine seas and nine forests… And when at last he had gathered the berries, he met a rooster who promised to fly him back to the beautiful fairy, his long-dreamed-of maiden.
And on a deep night, when the stars were twinkling, the devil with the rooster streaked across the sky like a comet. But the rooster would not have been a rooster if, at the first rays of the sun, he had not begun to crow! And the little devil, tired, had fallen asleep… He started awake, and the berries spilled out of the sack!
The poor devil wept. Where each tear fell, a little pool of water formed. Where each juniper berry landed, a twig began to grow.
And so, from that time, we have the Juniper Valley by the Kaunas Lagoon. And within it, a little devil still wanders, searching for his fairy maiden… That is why even today many couples in love walk here – picking the berries and offering them to one another.
This legend was brought to life by:
- Folk artist and blacksmith Simonas Misevičius (Naujoji Akmenė) – who lent his ironworks, resembling devils’ lost tails and back-scratching tools.
- Sculptor Algimantas Rašimas (Naujoji Akmenė) and his muse, inspirer – actress Justina Kasiulytė (Raudondvaris, Kelmė, Šiauliai).
- The devil puppet was performed by puppeteer Irmantas Kiela (Šiauliai).
- Puppet creator – Virginija Balčiūnaitė (Tytuvėnai, Šiauliai).
- The role of the rooster – Justinas Liubinas (Kelmė).
- Costume and mask seamstress – Marina Bakienė (Naujoji Akmenė).
The wonderful Menų Kubas (Arts Cube) from Veliuona presented a linen dress collection “The Tree of Life – the Power of Symbols”, where women became juniper berries.
In the valley one could also meet the strange Ulbienė (Lina Lukošienė – Veliuona, Vadžgirys), who, with a real hen, was searching for her runaway rooster.
The Karajiedas mask-character from Veliuona Culture Center (played by Kristupas Valadka – Tytuvėnai, with costume created by Evaldas Jasiūnas – Šiauliai, Radviliškis) also emerged from the waters of the Nemunas, searching for his own fairy.
There was more than one fairy:
- Cellist Agnė Dirvinskienė (Kuršėnai, costume by Ausma Misevičienė),
- Violinist Paulina Daukšytė-Šereckienė (Kaunas, costume by Jurgita Balčiūnaitė – Tytuvėnai, Radviliškis, Šiauliai).
Giants with masks: Justas Balčiūnas (Tytuvėnai), Irena Sabaliauskienė (Mockaičiai), Rasa Vasiliauskienė (Naujoji Akmenė). The masks were created by Stancikė the beggar woman herself, whom you could also meet in the Juniper Valley.
Devil’s maidens were also searching for men: Daiva Valadkienė (Tytuvėnai), Justina Baranauskienė (Budraičiai). Some sought men, some chased away devils from passersby, while others herded little goats for the children: Irena Milkintienė (accordion, Mockaičiai), Irena Grigalaitienė (Mockaičiai), Vyta Knyzelienė (Mockaičiai), Vida Klimienė (Mockaičiai).
Diligent helpers: Vidas Valadka (Tytuvėnai), Margarita Gryčė (Kaunas), Valentinas Gričius (Kaunas).
Our heartfelt thanks to:
- The initiator of the event Laima Kalėdaitė and her mother – for the invitation and the delicious kugel (tasted by those who arrived on Friday).
- Jolanta Sidabrienė, head of Kaunas District Samylai Cultural Center – for the warm welcome and reception.
- Tytuvėnai Cultural Center and its deputy Ieva Jokubauskaitė – for cooperation and transportation.
- Veliuona Cultural Center and its head Violeta Grabauskienė – for a strong and mature friendship.
- Vaclovas Liubinas – for bringing the actor “with square wheels” on time and in place.
- Vidas Valadka – for patience and excellent service (you shall be given the leading role!).
And most of all – to all those named above, who always agree and “sign up” for the strangest ideas.
Thank you!!!
