My Culture

Culture is a hard concept to describe...it involves every part of one's existence from the country they were born in, to their values, to their appearance and to their form of dress. I personally can describe my culture as something that is a form of thinking, what one was brought up as. I am Lithuanian (Eastern European) and value this dearly, it is a culture of many things; of potatoes and pork, of large heavy wool and linen folk costumes, of rainy weather, of flat farmlands, of vodka and good beer, a mix of Christinity (and religiousness), of highly valued post-secondary education and certain strict values of being. I have found that my culture is a mix of polar opposites from being very strict and rigid in the ways of thinking and being to very fluid forms of existence and the enjoyment of everyday life. It is a culture of travel and emigration to look for greener grass but also a large network of closely knit peoples globally. Lithuanians are religious about basketball and are very tall to accommodate this, we enjoy our evenings with good Lithuanian beer 'Svyturys' and a nice side of smoked pork's ears. The way of thinking is free in terms of meeting and experiencing new cultures without fear but also very nationalistic and proud. Some grand events which have shaped the Lithuanian culture recently have been the existence and the fall of the USSR.
As a Lithuanian (by the way there is only about 4 million of us worldwide) in Canada, I have recognized certain morals that are greatly important like the complete equality of women, non-discriminating actions, the freedom of opinion and religion which I value greatly and as well evaluate my presupositions and engrained values. Also, for me it is greatly important to keep up the traditions of my ancestors, through Folk dancing, through polka music, through the food, through the language and I feel that my country is so small that if Lithuanians do not gather together and appreciate our customs that soon such a beautiful country will disappear. I find that culture not only involves one's certain origins and customs and their way of thinking but they ability to accept others and learn other culture to be appreciative of them in order to keep all cultures alive. It is important to have an open mind and yet be critical and stand by your values because of such globalization occurring, we must not forget where we come from and just follow suit. I greatly encourage people to learn more about others, to step out of their box and not be stereotypical and ignorant but to see beauty in all cultures and participate in them. PS: I hope all the bloggers get a chance to read this and to know a little more about Lithuania and I hope you will get a chance to visit it one day !!!

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Part of trip: Colombia

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