#baltictraditions

[balticapocalypse]

❄️Another photo from the Mask Traditions Festival in Latvia. Photo by Aizkraukles novads. #baltictraditions #latvia https://www.instagram.com/p/CprGISBuu5H/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[balticapocalypse]

🕯 In the old Latvian mythology, when the days get shorter and evenings get darker, it is the time when the "veļi" or the dead souls of our ancestors come to the house to help find answers to the deepest and toughest questions we have stored in our minds during the year. Our ancestors are among us as long as you remember them, and as long as you talk about them. Ancient Latvians were making feasts for the dead with separate table and specially prepared food. Balts believed that death is natural part of life cycle, and is not to be feared. It seems that it has been a common understanding in all Northern Europe and fear of death as part of culture appeared later. Word itself comes from Proto-Baltic *weli̯a-, *weli̯ā-, from Proto-Indo-European *wel- (“tear; pluck; rob; hurt; kill”). Live today - as today is all you have. Live so, that there is no fear and no regret when your time comes. #veļi #latvia #autumn #baltictraditions (at Latvia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkkFc6_LgV0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[balticapocalypse]

🔥KALVIS MIŠKINIS • Traditional ironwork by Lithuanian blacksmith MATAS MIŠKINIS. #ironwork #blacksmith #baltictraditions (at Dzūkija) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmDrATWu1tW/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[balticapocalypse]

❄️Traditional Lithuanian mittens in the snow. These mittens are by LINA PUPŠTAITĖ-DUBOSIENĖ, you can find her on Facebook. #mittens #baltictraditions https://www.instagram.com/p/CmH24FkSvu5/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=