About Minija

2007-04-05

MINIJA If someone would ask anyone from Gargždai, what is "Minija", it might be that everyone would answer that it is a river. But it won’t be surprising if every second will also remember that group of folk dances and songs from Gargždai Cultural centre has the same name. HISTORY In autumn, 1971 on bright memory art leader’s Vytautas Mačiuitis initiative there was established a group of youth folk-dances in Cultural house of Gargždai. One year later they organized the interregional dance festival „Šokim, trypkim, linksmi būkim“(„Let‘s dance and me merry“). On it‘s 10th anniversary the group of youth folk-dances from Cultural house was honoured with the name of representative company of dances and songs "Minija". FESTIVALS AND AWARDS The group takes part in many republican contests and festivals and has won a lot of prizes. In 1988 in a republican dances and songs contest „Draugystės ratelis”(“The Circle of Friendship”) , "Minija" got a prize for a culture of scenic costume. In 2001 in the same contest, but under the name of “Kadagys” (“The Juniper”), the group was awarded for an artistically prepared program. Time and again it was commended for nurturing traditions of folk-dance, and also for enriching the national culture. In 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990 "Minija" took place in republican song festivals, as well as in 1994, 1998 and 2003 in a worldwide Lithuanian‘s song festivals. In 2004 in the dance group contest „Iš aplinkui“ in Širvintos "Minija" won a second degree diploma, the singers were accepted as the best vocal group. At the festival „Klumpakojis“ "Minija" won the second place and the main prize for the most professional „Klumpakojis“ (traditional Lithuanian dance). "Minija" won the laureate name at the contest „Pora už poros“ in 2005. In 2007 "Minija" got an award „Aukso paukšė” (“Golden Bird”). It is given to the best art groups and their leaders for organizing festivals, wining prizes in republican and international contests, preparing original programs.     “Minija” has contacts with groups from Latvia, Estonia, Denmark, Germany, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Norway, Romania, Bulgaria and Portugal. Since 1982 on "Minija‘s" initiative, international dance festivals are being organized in Gargždai. Members of the group have traveled to the mentioned countries, introducing Lithuanian culture to people and popularizing Lithuanian folk-dance.