Dainų šventės ir lietuvių tautinė tapatybė
ENThe article distinguishes the four main aspects of national identity: language, common historical memory, customs (traditions) and structures of specific collective subconsciousness. The specific collective subconsciousness structures are comprised of archetypes, which form when the same or similar actions are performed many times and the respective emotions are experienced. The key fields for the expression and formation of stereotypes - mythology, philosophy, religion, art. Song Festivals perform a unique role in the formation and dissemination of Lithuanian national identity, first of all because they are traditional events, taking place periodically, in Lithuania, and a large part of the nation’s people either participate or observe. The main part of the Song Festivals’ repertoire is made up of folk music and art, which best reveals the contents of collective subconsciousness. And, finally, Song Festivals have become an integral part of our history; thus, losing them would mean not only cultural, but also existential loss.
