November 1st is known as All Saints’ Day, a holiday celebrated in Lithuania, while November 2nd is Vėlinės, specifically dedicated to remembering and honoring the deceased. These two days often blend together, with visiting graves being more prominent on November 1st.
This Lithuanian tradition of Vėlinės originates from ancient pagan times and was previously referred to as Dziady, including 19th-century cemeteries and home feasts with offerings for the deceased. Vėlinės used to feature bonfires and eerie ghost stories, and even now it symbolizes the belief that the spirits of the departed return to earth in the autumn.
The hallowed Rasų Cemetery, also known as a national pantheon and the oldest Vilnius cemetery, is situated atop two hills, in the valley, and surrounded by oak trees. It serves as the final resting place for the 20th-century luminaries from Lithuania, Poland, and Belarus. The cemetery’s history dates back to pagan times when it was a ceremonial site, and during Vėlinės, it is transformed into a mystical place once again.
All Inclusive
Luksusowy kwartalnik turystyczno-podróżniczy. Od 2004 roku opisujemy miejsca, do których warto lecieć dłużej niż na weekend, i ludzi, którzy je prowadzą.
