I’m delighted to be working with state folklorist Maggie
Holtzberg in Lowell this summer. On the summer solstice, Maggie
and I went to visit Jonas Stundzia at his home in Lawrence to
learn about Rasos Svente, the Dew Festival, and the ways
Lithuanians celebrate the longest day of the year. He will be
demonstrating how to make floral head garlands at this year’s
Lowell Folk Festival. Garlands, or wreaths, are an important
part of this solstice festival, also known as the festival of
Saint John. Jonas is a wealth of folklore. When we got to his
house, he welcomed us with a traditional Lithuanian greeting.
From a decorative ceramic pitcher, he poured water over our
hands, and held out a woven Lithuanian cloth to dry them. He
then offered us cucumbers dipped in honey and small cups of
samagonas (rye moonshine). He said that cucumbers dipped in
honey are eaten as a summer treat only in the northeast area of
Lithuania. Jonas showed us his garden blooming with plants
native to Lithuania, including wild sorrel, used