1547

1997

450th Anniversary of the First Lithuanian Book by Martynas Mažvydas

COMMEMORATION

at the Opera House, Vilnius, January 8, 1997

First Part

Martynas Mažvydas

. “Knygelės pačios bylo ...” a fragment of 1 min.36 seconds
recited by actor Algirdas LATĖNAS.

 

Hymns from M. Mažvydas' Catechismus, performed by the Aidija Chorus and by singers from the Čiurlionis Gymnasium of Arts, conducted by Romualdas GRAŽINIS

Hymn, a fragment of 52 seconds.

Hymn, a fragment of 1 min. 22 seconds

Text of the speech by prof. Vytautas LANDSBERGIS, Chairman of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, Chairman of the Anniversary Committee

Recording of the speech  by prof. Vytautas LANDSBERGIS,
a fragment of 45 seconds

 

Just. Marcinkevičius. Mažvydas (fragments) performed by the cast of Vaidila Theater.

"Kai į Ragainę atėjo..." When he came to Ragainė... a fragment of 1 min. 06 seconds

Mažvydo žodžiai apie ąžuolą a fragment of 19 seconds about an oak-tree

Text of the Speech by Justinas MARCINKEVIČIUS, writer,  member of the State Committee for the commemoration of the 450th anniversary of the first Lithuanian book

  Recording of the speech by Just. Marcinkevičius, a fragment of 1 min. 09 seconds

Blessed is the hand stroking a child's head, holding a book or extending it - like bread - to another.

Three times blessed is the hand which for 450 years has extended to us, to Lithuanians and Samogitians, our written language. All Lithuania has today assembled before that hand, has gathered around her book. Although only a few have seen it, everyone believes that it exists. It  must exist, for without it Lithuania would not exist either. Therefore, we can say that we have two kings: Mindaugas, who created the Lithuanian state, and Mažvydas, who created the Lithuanian book.<...>

Justinas Marcinkevičius

 

Second Part

Br. Kutavičius, "The North Gate," part 2 from a four-part composition The Gates of Jerusalem. Performed by the St. Christopher  Orchestra. Conducted by prof. Donatas KATKUS

  Br. Kutavičius, “The North Gate”, a fragment of 57 seconds

Text of the speech by Ingė LUKŠAITĖ,  member of the State Committee for the commemoration of the 450th anniversary of the first Lithuanian book (in Lithuanian)

  Recording of the speech by Ingė LUKŠAITĖ, a fragment of 40 seconds

Br. Kutavičius, “The West Gate” (Stabat Mater) part 4 from four parts composition “The Gates of Jerusalem”. Performed by the St. Christopher  Orchestra and the Aidija Chorus. Conducted by prof. Donatas KATKUS “. Organist Živilė SURVILAITĖ

  Br. Kutavičius, “The West Gate”, a fragment of 1 min 09 seconds

Director - Nerijus PETROKAS
Designer - Henrikas CIPARIS

   The fragments used here are from the Lithuanian RTV audio recording.