Children's Camp “Ancient Crafts in Folklore”: When Crafts and Tales Become Experience
In today’s world dominated by digital technology and rapid information flow, it is especially important for children to experience, discover, and live through authentic, living culture connected to their roots. During the summer, camps offer a wonderful opportunity for children to explore our ancient culture, traditional crafts, folktales, and songs. It’s not just a way to develop fine motor skills or creativity, but also a deeply valuable lesson that helps children understand who we are as a nation and as people.
From June 30 to July 4, 2025, the Ethnic Culture and Traditional Crafts Center of Šiauliai District Municipality hosted a summer camp for children titled “Ancient Crafts in Folklore.” This creative, hands-on educational camp immersed children from the Šiauliai region in the traditions of ancient Lithuanian crafts, folk songs, dances, and tales—not through books or screens, but through their own hands, eyes, and hearts. Each day was a unique story tied to Lithuanian folklore and a specific traditional craft. This structure not only engaged the children in the creative process but also deepened their understanding of how traditional crafts connect with songs, dances, and the rhythms of everyday life.
Woodcarving Day: Wooden Clogs, Folk Tales, and Dances
On the first day, campers explored the art of woodcarving. A meeting with folk artist Raimondas Baškys revealed the intricacies of clog carving. During the educational activity “The Wooden Tale,” children carved their own wooden creations and expressed their impressions through the traditional Lithuanian dance “Klumpakojis”, taught at the Šiauliai District Cultural Center. The day concluded with a walk along the Venta River and a reading of the Lithuanian folktale “Eglė, the Queen of Serpents” in nature.
Beekeeping Day: From Candle to Pancakes with Honey
The next day took the children to the Traditional Crafts Center of Plateliai Manor, where they learned about beekeeping traditions. After discovering how people in ancient times created light, the children dipped beeswax candles using traditional methods. While waiting for the candles to set, they baked pancakes on a traditional stove, later enjoying them with honey and herbal tea. The day's theme was accompanied by the folk song-dance “Little Gray Bee,” celebrating love for nature and work.
Pottery Day: “Clay Matukas” Comes to Life
On Pottery Day, children watched a rhymed tale titled “Clay Matukas,” based on the play by Kęstutis Kubilinskas. Under the guidance of the VII Lithuanian Pottery King Algimantas Tamašauskas, they shaped their own clay figures and learned about the craft of pottery. Later, at the Vytautas Vitkauskas Public Library of Šiauliai District, they participated in the educational activity “Transforming Recyclables into Fairy Tale Characters” and deepened their knowledge of folk literature.
Weaving Day: Colorful Threads and Linen Stories
The day began with the folk song “The Little Weaver,” as children learned the weaving craft from certified weaver Birutė Poškienė. Alongside traditional crafts activity coordinator Marytė Janulienė, they used looms to weave bracelets. Later, the children took part in two educational programs by the puppet theater MB “Mažųjų ugdymas” – “Flax Feeds and Clothes” and “My Little Loaf” – where they discovered the journey of flax from seed to fabric and food. They spun linen thread, decorated a napkin, and baked a traditional Lithuanian bread loaf, which served as both nourishment and symbol.
Amber Day: “Jūratė and Kastytis” and the Magic of True Amber
The camp culminated in a trip to Palanga. After reading Maironis’s legend “Jūratė and Kastytis,” the children visited an amber workshop led by folk artist Albertas Bukauskas, where they learned to distinguish real amber, its types and origins. In the workshop “Amber Afternoon,” they created their own amber bracelets. Later, a visit to the Amber Museum enriched their knowledge of Baltic gold – a vital part of our cultural identity.
The camp not only introduced children to ancient Lithuanian crafts but also fostered creativity, cultural appreciation, and cooperation. Every meeting with artisans and cultural professionals became an experiential journey, where living traditions were passed on in warm, engaging, and inspiring ways. By touching, smelling, listening, and creating, the children naturally engaged in the activities—carving wood, molding clay figures, dipping beeswax candles, spinning flax thread, or crafting amber bracelets.
This was experiential learning that leaves lasting memories—like a warm summer day woven together with ancient crafts and the sounds of folk songs and tales. Activities like these nurture not only knowledge but also respect for one’s roots.
Camp Organizer:
Ethnic Culture and Traditional Crafts Center of Šiauliai District Municipality
Project partly funded by:
Šiauliai District Municipality
Partners:
Šiauliai District Municipality Cultural Center
Vytautas Vitkauskas Public Library of Šiauliai District Municipality
Association “Folk Artists’ Community of Šiauliai District”
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