The Modern Church Festival of the Assumption (Žolinė) In Lithuania. Understanding and Motives for Observation

Abstract

Based on information from ethnographic studies carried out during the Feast of the Assumption in Pivašiūnai on 15 August 2001 and literary material, this article seeks to determine how people understand this church festival, what aspects of the feast are important to them, and what the motives are for their participation. Information from the study showed that pilgrims understand the Assumption as a feast, and an opportunity to realize their religious needs and honour the Blessed Virgin Mary. A significant motive for participating in the church festival was seeking absolution and penance.

***

Na osnovi informacij, zbranih pri etnografskih raziskavah v času praznika Marijinega vnebovzetja v Pivašiūnai 15. avgusta 2001, in pisnega gradiva, skuša avtor ugotoviti, kako ljudje razumejo cerkveni praznik, kateri vidiki praznika so jim pomembni in kateri so najpomembnejši motivi za udeležbo. Zbrane informacije kažejo, da romarji razumejo Marijino vnebovzetje kot praznik in priložnost, da uresničijo svoje religiozne potrebe in počastijo Blaženo Devico Marijo. Zelo pomemben motiv za udeležbo pri prazniku je iskanje odpuščanja in odveze.