Tarp žemaičių ir aukštaičių: rinktinės juostos ir riešinės
ENŠiauliai – a city on the junction of Lithuanian Highlands and Samogitia. Geographic location of the city, the surrounding districts, and a fusion of traditions in the two ethnic regions lead to the development of the modern folk art. It is important to preserve ethnic characteristics of the region in traditional crafts. Lithuanian museums with ethnographic exhibits can help the master of folk art to keep to the tradition. Šiauliai "Aušra" museum acquired very extensive collection of textile samples, collected from 1923. T.Jurkuvienė, V. Tumėnas have written on the exclusive selective bands, I. F. Juškienė published wristlets in her book. Šiauliai region folk squad consists of Samogitians as well as the Highlanders. Most of the weavers mostly weave linen towels, bedspreads, tablecloths, and only a few are band weavers. The most famous weaver of selected bands Antanas Dundulis, won the top prize - "Golden Crown" in 2009 – earlier a weaving partner with his wife Birutė, now he works with his daughter Edita. Genovaite Ivanauskienė, Onutė Lažinskienė, Stanislava Užporienė, Antanina Katilienė, Leonija Malakauskienė with daughters Vitalija Monkienė and Sigita Milvidienė are also well-known band weavers. Birute Poškienė and Danutė Areliūnienė started weaving recently. Bands of Highlanders and Samogitia differ from other regions by their ornaments, color combinations and compositions. All weavers also weave traditional bands used for folk costumes and souvenirs. Wrestle knitting is currently the recent fashion and very popular among Šiauliai folk artists, as well as in Lithuania. After nearly a 100 year break, wristlets revived not only as a part of national costume, but are worn on a daily basis. Especially popular among young people and people associated with folklore and ethnic culture.The most famous knitters are Olė Plungienė with daughter Aurelija Norvaišienė, Rasa Daukšienė, Sigita Milvidienė. Women knit traditional patterns, and also create new ornaments themselves. Exhibitions are also actively participated by Laima Jasiūnienė, Aldona Lamauskienė, Liucija Lekienė, Joana Alminienė, Dalia Poškienė, Regina Gapšienė, Rita Kavaliauskienė. Luckily, folk artists do not forget the old traditional crafts. Ethnographic treasures accumulated in Šiauliai "Aušra" museum could be a source of knowledge and new creative ideas for many folk artists.
