BY ILYA KUDRIASHOV The article by Vytautas J. Šliūpas about “Napoleon’s First and Last Steps in Lithuania,” and the report of the discovery of the mass grave of Napoleonic soldiers in Vilnius—both of which appeared in the July/August 2002 issue of Lithuanian Heritage— stirred more interest among readers of this …

SPLIT PEA SOUP Žirnių sriuba 1 lb. split peas 1½ lbs. smoked sausage cut into chunks ¾ cup carrots, diced 1 onion, minced 1 stalk celery, diced 6-8 cups water Salt and pepper Rinse peas. In large pan bring water and peas to boil for about 30 mins. Skim off …

BY K. PAUL ZYGAS The complete absence of gold or silver-bearing ores in their country has never stopped the Lithuanians from appreciating and crafting the noble metals. Jewelry found in archaeological sites reveals that silver has been prized and fashioned in Baltic lands continuously since times immemorial. While small deposits …

Traditional Kūčios dishes Although in previous years we have featured dishes you can make for your Christmas Eve supper table,  we continue to get requests for more. By tradition Lithuanians abstain from eating meat on this day, and the Kūčios supper consists of twelve meatless dishes that usually include fish,  …

By Tom Gregg Webster’s defines Bohemian as a person, often a poet or artist, with an unconventional lifestyle. World War II Lithuanian refugee and longtime filmmaker and poet Jonas Mekas has consistently qualified. HE BEATNIKS were the hippies of America’s 1950s. If you remember the era, you certainly remember them. …

LET’S COOK LITHUANIAN with Dana Siliūnas For those hot, hot days of summer RADISH  SALAD Ridikų  mišrainė 1 bunch fresh large radishes 2-3 scallions  (green onions) 2-3  Tbsps sour cream Salt and pepper to taste Wash and trim radishes.  Grate coarsely either in food processor or by hand. Drain for  …

BY JOHN MILLAR Almost 70 years later, the true cause of the fateful crash of the “Lituanica” and the death of its two pilots remains an unsolved mystery. IN THE YEAR 1993 LIETUVOS BANKAS, Lithuania’s National Bank, issued a Treasury note, valued at 10 litas, on the face of which …

by Galina Bogdel Stories of the Castle Watchman I WAS BORN AND GREW UP IN an old Karaite house which had been bought and repaired by my father. The house stood between the lakes Totoriškiu and Galve opposite Trakai Castle. Later on, the local authorities tore down the house and …

LET’S COOK LITHUANIAN Lithuanians have some favorite dishes Lm they have been enjoying for centuries. They still prepare them the same old- fashioned way their grandparents and great-grandparents used to prepare long time ago. Here in America many of us are either not familiar with some of these dishes, or …

By Tom Gregg (Grigonis) Not all professional foot – ball players are motivated outside of athletics. But as the 2001 National Football League season wound down, Joe Jurevicius had not just one big offseason plan but two. First, he would return to college to complete studies for his Fiuman Development …