{"id":72,"date":"2022-03-17T18:02:38","date_gmt":"2022-03-17T18:02:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/their-paths-are-peace\/?post_type=chapter&p=72"},"modified":"2023-04-28T20:27:07","modified_gmt":"2023-04-28T20:27:07","slug":"lithuanian-cultural-garden","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/their-paths-are-peace\/chapter\/lithuanian-cultural-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"Lithuanian Cultural Garden"},"content":{"raw":"\"\"\r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\nThe <\/span>Lithuanian <\/span>Cultural Garden <\/span>extends <\/span>between <\/span>the <\/span>upper <\/span>and <\/span>lower East Boulevard, <\/span>commanding <\/span>an <\/span>inspiring <\/span>view <\/span>from <\/span>both <\/span>levels, <\/span>and <\/span>constructed <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>shape <\/span>of <\/span>a large <\/span>lyre, emblematic <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>Lithu\u00ad<\/span>anian love <\/span>for <\/span>music <\/span>in <\/span>which, <\/span>through <\/span>centuries <\/span>of <\/span>national <\/span>oppression, <\/span>the <\/span>Lithuanian people has <\/span>ex\u00ad<\/span>pressed <\/span>both <\/span>its <\/span>sorrows <\/span>and its <\/span>joys. <\/span>\r\n\r\nThe <\/span>stone work <\/span>in this <\/span>garden <\/span>portrays <\/span>three <\/span>epochs <\/span>of <\/span>Lithuanian <\/span>history.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe <\/span>unification <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>three Lithuanian <\/span>provinces <\/span>or <\/span>tribes <\/span>under the <\/span>rule <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>Grand <\/span>Duke <\/span>Gedi\u00ad<\/span>minas <\/span>at <\/span>the <\/span>beginning <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>fourteenth <\/span>century-<\/span>-an <\/span>event which <\/span>inaugurated <\/span>an <\/span>era <\/span>of <\/span>pride and <\/span>strength <\/span>for the <\/span>Lithuanian <\/span>nation--is <\/span>represented <\/span>by <\/span>a sculptured wall in <\/span>the <\/span>lower garden. A repro\u00ad<\/span>duction <\/span>of <\/span>a three-pillared <\/span>symbolic piece of <\/span>sculp\u00ad<\/span>ture <\/span>built <\/span>by <\/span>Gediminas <\/span>to <\/span>commemorate <\/span>Lithuanian <\/span>unity <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>City <\/span>of <\/span>Vilnius <\/span>in <\/span>ancient <\/span>Lithuania, <\/span>it <\/span>stands <\/span>as <\/span>a memorial <\/span>to <\/span>Lithuania's <\/span>past greatness.<\/span>\r\n\r\nAnother <\/span>stage <\/span>in Lithuanian <\/span>history <\/span>is symbolized <\/span>by <\/span>the <\/span>large <\/span>stone Fountain <\/span>of <\/span>Biruta, <\/span>the <\/span>central <\/span>feature <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>upper <\/span>boulevard level <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>garden. <\/span>It <\/span>represents <\/span>the <\/span>era <\/span>of <\/span>pagan worship <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>country <\/span>before <\/span>the <\/span>Christianizing <\/span>of <\/span>Lithuania. <\/span>Biruta, <\/span>Grand <\/span>Duchess <\/span>and first <\/span>Queen <\/span>of <\/span>Lithuania, <\/span>was, <\/span>according <\/span>to <\/span>legend, the <\/span>daughter <\/span>of <\/span>a fisherman. <\/span>Consecrated <\/span>a vestal virgin <\/span>to <\/span>the <\/span>goddess Praurime, whose shrine stood on a lofty mound overlooking the shore of the Baltic Sea, Biruta, when on the verge of becoming a priestess to the goddess, was seen by Keistutis, the son of Gediminas, who had stopped at the shrine to give thanks to the goddess on his return from battle with the Crusaders in Prussia. <\/span>\r\n\r\nOn <\/span>beholding Biruta, <\/span>he <\/span>fell <\/span>in <\/span>love with her <\/span>and <\/span>bore <\/span>her <\/span>away <\/span>with him <\/span>to <\/span>make her his <\/span>wife. <\/span>Their <\/span>son, <\/span>Vytautas <\/span>the <\/span>Great, <\/span>in <\/span>1410 <\/span>defeated <\/span>the <\/span>Crusaders <\/span>at <\/span>Gruenwald. <\/span>After <\/span>this <\/span>event, <\/span>Lithuania voluntarily <\/span>espoused Christianity. <\/span>\r\n\r\nBiruta <\/span>is <\/span>revered <\/span>by <\/span>the <\/span>Lithuanian people <\/span>as <\/span>an <\/span>ideal <\/span>of <\/span>feminine virtue, <\/span>and <\/span>many <\/span>little <\/span>Lithuanian <\/span>daughters have <\/span>been <\/span>proudly named <\/span>in <\/span>her honor. <\/span>\r\n\r\nBy <\/span>implication, an emblematic <\/span>fire <\/span>is <\/span>assumed <\/span>to <\/span>illuminate <\/span>the <\/span>Biruta <\/span>Fountain, <\/span>symbol of <\/span>the <\/span>ever\u00ad<\/span>lasting <\/span>flame <\/span>kept <\/span>by <\/span>the <\/span>vestal virgins <\/span>in the <\/span>pagan <\/span>temple <\/span>of <\/span>old <\/span>Lithuania. <\/span>\r\n\r\nThe <\/span>Fountain-of <\/span>Biruta <\/span>is dedicated <\/span>to <\/span>the <\/span>Lithu\u00ad<\/span>anian <\/span>women <\/span>of <\/span>Cleveland, <\/span>and <\/span>bears <\/span>a plaque <\/span>testi\u00ad<\/span>fying <\/span>to <\/span>their generous contributions <\/span>and <\/span>enterpris\u00ad<\/span>ing <\/span>fund-raising <\/span>which have <\/span>made <\/span>this monument <\/span>possible. <\/span>\r\n\r\nA <\/span>unique <\/span>and <\/span>fascinating <\/span>feature <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>Lithu\u00ad<\/span>anian <\/span>Garden, <\/span>also <\/span>traceable <\/span>to <\/span>pagan influence, <\/span>is <\/span>the <\/span>zig-zag motif used <\/span>as <\/span>a decorative theme. <\/span>This symbolizes lightning<\/span>\u00a0in honor of Perunas, ancient god of thunder, once worshipped in Lithuania.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_262\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"322\"]\"Basanavicius\" Basanavicius[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe third stage of Lithuanian history-that of its rebirth after the First World Was, is commemorated in the stone-paved lower court of the garden by a bust of Dr. Jonas Basanavicius (1851-1927), scholar, historian, and first president of the Lithuanian Republic in 1918. The bust is a gift of the Lithuanian Government.\r\n\r\nIn a nook of the upper level garden, which is planted with alleys of oak leaf and mountain ash, there is a bronze bust of Vincas Kudirka (1859-1899), poet, author, and composer of Lithuanian national anthem. The Kudirka Society of Cleveland, and was dedicated on September 21, 1938.\r\n\r\nOne the opposite of the garden, a nook has been appropriated for the placement of a bust of Maciulis <\/span>Maironis, the <\/span>poet-priest <\/span>whose poems <\/span>were <\/span>the inspiration <\/span>for <\/span>the Lithuanians' struggle <\/span>for <\/span>independence. <\/span>Funds <\/span>for <\/span>this <\/span>bust, <\/span>at the <\/span>pres\u00ad<\/span>ent writing, are <\/span>being <\/span>raised <\/span>by <\/span>St. <\/span>George's <\/span>Church.<\/span>\r\n\r\nBoth <\/span>the <\/span>Basanavicius <\/span>and Kudirka <\/span>busts <\/span>are <\/span>copies <\/span>of <\/span>originals <\/span>by <\/span>Jonas <\/span>Zikaras, <\/span>now <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>garden <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>Museum <\/span>of <\/span>Kamas, <\/span>Lithuania. <\/span>\r\n\r\nAlso <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>Lithuanian Garden are <\/span>two <\/span>oak trees, <\/span>dedicated <\/span>respectively <\/span>to <\/span>the <\/span>Lithuanian <\/span>Alliance <\/span>of <\/span>America <\/span>and <\/span>the <\/span>Lithuanian <\/span>Roman <\/span>Catholic <\/span>Al\u00ad<\/span>liance <\/span>of <\/span>America in <\/span>appreciation <\/span>for <\/span>their <\/span>large <\/span>financial contributions and <\/span>moral <\/span>support <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>building <\/span>of <\/span>the garden. <\/span>A <\/span>linden tree <\/span>was dedicated <\/span>to <\/span>the Lithuanian Metropolitan opera star, <\/span>Miss <\/span>Anna <\/span>Kaskas, whose <\/span>concert yielded <\/span>a <\/span>contribution <\/span>to <\/span>the Lithuanian Garden <\/span>sufficiently <\/span>large <\/span>to <\/span>wipe <\/span>out <\/span>debts <\/span>incurred during <\/span>construction.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe <\/span>original <\/span>design <\/span>was <\/span>drawn up <\/span>in <\/span>Lithuania <\/span>by <\/span>Professor Dubinecras, <\/span>and <\/span>was <\/span>modified <\/span>to fit <\/span>the <\/span>boulevard <\/span>topography <\/span>by <\/span>the <\/span>City <\/span>Plan <\/span>Com\u00ad<\/span>mission <\/span>of <\/span>Cleveland. <\/span>WPA <\/span>funds for <\/span>the <\/span>con\u00ad<\/span>struction <\/span>of <\/span>the garden <\/span>were approved to <\/span>the <\/span>amount <\/span>of <\/span>$27,000.<\/span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_220\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"320\"]\"Kudirka\" Kudirka[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe <\/span>Lithuanian Garden <\/span>was <\/span>dedicated <\/span>on <\/span>October <\/span>11, <\/span>1936, <\/span>with the unveiling <\/span>of <\/span>the statue <\/span>of <\/span>Dr. <\/span>Jonas <\/span>Basanavicius. <\/span>An <\/span>impressive procession <\/span>marched <\/span>to <\/span>the strains <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>Lithuanian national <\/span>anthem, and about <\/span>2000 <\/span>spectators <\/span>witnessed <\/span>the <\/span>ceremonies. A <\/span>wreath <\/span>of <\/span>Lithuanian rue, red <\/span>roses, <\/span>and foliage <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>diemedis, <\/span>or <\/span>Gods <\/span>tree, <\/span>was <\/span>placed <\/span>before <\/span>the <\/span>bronze <\/span>statue <\/span>by <\/span>ladies <\/span>in <\/span>Lithuanian national costume.<\/span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_217\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"757\"]\"Panoramic Panoramic View of Lithuanian Cultural Garden From Lower Boulevard[\/caption]\r\n\r\nPrincipal speaker was Bronius <\/span>K. <\/span>Balutis, Lithu\u00ad<\/span>ania\u2019s <\/span>Minister <\/span>to <\/span>the United <\/span>States.<\/span>\r\n\r\n\u201cAside from <\/span>being a picturesque <\/span>lesson <\/span>on <\/span>the <\/span>origins <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>diverse <\/span>population <\/span>of <\/span>this <\/span>city, <\/span>the <\/span>Cultural Gardens <\/span>development <\/span>offers <\/span>also an ex\u00ad<\/span>cellent <\/span>course <\/span>in <\/span>international relations,\u201d <\/span>Mr. Balutis <\/span>sad. <\/span>\u201cIt <\/span>is <\/span>an <\/span>encouraging <\/span>sight <\/span>to <\/span>see <\/span>a <\/span>great <\/span>municipality actually <\/span>demonstrating that its <\/span>citizens <\/span>may <\/span>speak <\/span>many <\/span>different <\/span>tongues, <\/span>may <\/span>have <\/span>many <\/span>distinct <\/span>customs, <\/span>may <\/span>be partisans <\/span>of <\/span>various <\/span>politi\u00ad<\/span>cal <\/span>or <\/span>religious <\/span>beliefs--and <\/span>still be <\/span>peacefully united <\/span>in <\/span>a common <\/span>purpose, <\/span>for <\/span>a common <\/span>and <\/span>noble <\/span>achievement.\u201d<\/span>\r\n\r\nMr. <\/span>Balutis also <\/span>spoke <\/span>on <\/span>behalf <\/span>of <\/span>his govern\u00ad<\/span>ment <\/span>in <\/span>the Lithuanian language. K. <\/span>S. <\/span>Karpius, <\/span>editor <\/span>of <\/span>Dirva, Lithuanian <\/span>weekly, <\/span>and <\/span>the <\/span>Rev\u00ad<\/span>erend <\/span>Vincent <\/span>G. <\/span>Wilkutatis <\/span>of <\/span>St. <\/span>George\u2019s <\/span>Cath\u00ad<\/span>olic Church, also <\/span>spoke <\/span>in <\/span>Lithuanian.<\/span>\r\n\r\nMayor <\/span>Ray <\/span>T. <\/span>Miller <\/span>accepted <\/span>the <\/span>bust <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>Lithuanian hero <\/span>on <\/span>behalf of <\/span>the <\/span>city. <\/span>Mrs. <\/span>John <\/span>L. <\/span>Mihelich, <\/span>first <\/span>vice-president <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>Lithuanian <\/span>Cultural Garden Federation, together <\/span>with <\/span>Mrs. <\/span>Lottie <\/span>Sukys, <\/span>secretary, unveiled <\/span>the <\/span>statue. <\/span>Mrs. <\/span>Mihelich <\/span>also acknowledged <\/span>the <\/span>co-operation <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>nineteen <\/span>Lithuanian <\/span>societies <\/span>which worked <\/span>to <\/span>es\u00ad<\/span>tablish <\/span>the garden. <\/span>\r\n\r\nOther <\/span>distinguished visitors <\/span>to the <\/span>Lithuanian <\/span>Garden, <\/span>in <\/span>addition <\/span>to <\/span>Mr. <\/span>Balutis, Minister Pleni\u00ad<\/span>potentiary to <\/span>the United <\/span>States, have included <\/span>the <\/span>late Antanas <\/span>Smetona, <\/span>President <\/span>of <\/span>Lithuania; <\/span>Mikas Bagdonas, attache <\/span>of <\/span>the Lithuanian <\/span>Em\u00ad<\/span>bassy, <\/span>and <\/span>Mykolas <\/span>Skipitas <\/span>of <\/span>Lithuania.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe <\/span>Sportsmen <\/span>of <\/span>Lithuania <\/span>also <\/span>staged <\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>basketball\u00a0<\/span>game with the <\/span>local <\/span>St. George\u2019s <\/span>Church <\/span>team, <\/span>for <\/span>the <\/span>benefit <\/span>of <\/span>the garden.<\/span>\r\n\r\nFunds <\/span>for <\/span>the garden <\/span>were raised <\/span>by <\/span>a local <\/span>cul\u00ad<\/span>tural <\/span>committee <\/span>and <\/span>by <\/span>the <\/span>Cultural Garden <\/span>Fed\u00ad<\/span>eration <\/span>by <\/span>sponsoring <\/span>picnics. <\/span>concerts, <\/span>theatrical <\/span>events, <\/span>and <\/span>bazaars; <\/span>and <\/span>by <\/span>solicited <\/span>contributions <\/span>through <\/span>individuals <\/span>and <\/span>the contributions <\/span>of <\/span>twenty-<\/span>one affiliated <\/span>clubs <\/span>and <\/span>societies <\/span>in <\/span>the Lithuanian <\/span>Cultural Garden Federation. <\/span>In <\/span>this manner, <\/span>$11,\u00ad<\/span>000 <\/span>was raised.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe <\/span>first meeting <\/span>of <\/span>the Lithuanian Cultural <\/span>Garden <\/span>Association occurred <\/span>on <\/span>October <\/span>4, <\/span>1929. <\/span>The <\/span>first officers <\/span>were Vincent <\/span>P. <\/span>Chesnul, <\/span>presi\u00ad<\/span>dent; <\/span>John <\/span>T. <\/span>Derichter, first vice-president; <\/span>Mrs. <\/span>John <\/span>L. <\/span>Mihelich, <\/span>second <\/span>vice-president; <\/span>K. <\/span>S. <\/span>Kar\u00ad<\/span>pius, executive <\/span>secretary; and <\/span>Peter <\/span>P. <\/span>Muliolis, <\/span>treasurer.<\/span>\r\n\r\nOfficers <\/span>at <\/span>the <\/span>present <\/span>writing are <\/span>John <\/span>Brass, <\/span>president; Florionas <\/span>Saukevicius, <\/span>first vice-president; <\/span>Joseph Grazulevicius, <\/span>second <\/span>vice-president; Mrs. <\/span>John <\/span>L. <\/span>Mihelich, recording secretary; <\/span>and Mrs. <\/span>Jus\u00ad<\/span>tin <\/span>Mischik, <\/span>financial <\/span>secretary. <\/span>\r\n\r\nActive members who <\/span>have <\/span>contributed <\/span>generously <\/span>of <\/span>their <\/span>time <\/span>and <\/span>efforts <\/span>through the <\/span>years since <\/span>the <\/span>beginnings <\/span>of <\/span>Lithuanian Garden <\/span>history, have <\/span>been <\/span>Mrs. <\/span>John <\/span>L. <\/span>Mihelich <\/span>and Mrs. <\/span>Justin Mischik, <\/span>both continuous <\/span>office-holders <\/span>in <\/span>the Lithuanian <\/span>League <\/span>and its parent organization, the Cultural <\/span>Garden Federation. <\/span>Mrs. Mihelich <\/span>is also <\/span>president <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>Women\u2019s <\/span>Committee <\/span>of <\/span>the Cultural Garden <\/span>Federation. <\/span>Mrs. <\/span>Pola <\/span>Glugodas has <\/span>been <\/span>active <\/span>as <\/span>a <\/span>tireless publicity chairman, <\/span>and <\/span>in fund <\/span>raising <\/span>since <\/span>the <\/span>garden\u2019s <\/span>inception. Mr. <\/span>V. <\/span>P. <\/span>Chesnul, <\/span>first <\/span>president, rendered outstanding <\/span>service <\/span>during the <\/span>planning and <\/span>dedication <\/span>of <\/span>the garden. <\/span>Mr. <\/span>John <\/span>Brass <\/span>has <\/span>ably succeeded <\/span>him <\/span>as <\/span>president. <\/span>Mr. <\/span>Peter <\/span>P. <\/span>Muliolis has <\/span>served <\/span>on <\/span>the <\/span>board <\/span>since <\/span>its <\/span>inception, <\/span>in <\/span>charge <\/span>of <\/span>organization <\/span>finances. <\/span>Mr. <\/span>K. <\/span>S. <\/span>Karpius, <\/span>secretary, <\/span>has <\/span>,successfully secured <\/span>contacts <\/span>with Lithuania <\/span>and <\/span>aid <\/span>from the Lithuanian <\/span>government, <\/span>for <\/span>the benefit <\/span>of <\/span>the garden. <\/span>Mr. <\/span>George <\/span>Vensluvas, <\/span>successor <\/span>to <\/span>Mr. Karpius, <\/span>deserves <\/span>credit <\/span>for <\/span>his direction <\/span>of <\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>Lithuanian\u00a0<\/span>Sportsmen\u2019s <\/span>show. <\/span>Mr. <\/span>Joseph <\/span>Blaskevicius <\/span>has led <\/span>committees <\/span>raising <\/span>largest amounts <\/span>in <\/span>funds.<\/span>\r\n\r\nBy <\/span>such <\/span>loyal <\/span>efforts <\/span>as <\/span>these <\/span>has <\/span>the <\/span>beautiful <\/span>Lithuanian Garden <\/span>been <\/span>added <\/span>to <\/span>the Cultural Gar\u00ad<\/span>den chain.<\/span>\r\n\r\n ","rendered":"

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The Lithuanian Cultural Garden extends between the upper and lower East Boulevard, commanding an inspiring view from both levels, and constructed in the shape of a large lyre, emblematic of the Lithu\u00adanian love for music in which, through centuries of national oppression, the Lithuanian people has ex\u00adpressed both its sorrows and its joys. <\/p>\n

The stone work in this garden portrays three epochs of Lithuanian history.<\/p>\n

The unification of the three Lithuanian provinces or tribes under the rule of the Grand Duke Gedi\u00adminas at the beginning of the fourteenth century--an event which inaugurated an era of pride and strength for the Lithuanian nation–is represented by a sculptured wall in the lower garden. A repro\u00adduction of a three-pillared symbolic piece of sculp\u00adture built by Gediminas to commemorate Lithuanian unity in the City of Vilnius in ancient Lithuania, it stands as a memorial to Lithuania’s past greatness.<\/p>\n

Another stage in Lithuanian history is symbolized by the large stone Fountain of Biruta, the central feature of the upper boulevard level of the garden. It represents the era of pagan worship of the country before the Christianizing of Lithuania. Biruta, Grand Duchess and first Queen of Lithuania, was, according to legend, the daughter of a fisherman. Consecrated a vestal virgin to the goddess Praurime, whose shrine stood on a lofty mound overlooking the shore of the Baltic Sea, Biruta, when on the verge of becoming a priestess to the goddess, was seen by Keistutis, the son of Gediminas, who had stopped at the shrine to give thanks to the goddess on his return from battle with the Crusaders in Prussia. <\/p>\n

On beholding Biruta, he fell in love with her and bore her away with him to make her his wife. Their son, Vytautas the Great, in 1410 defeated the Crusaders at Gruenwald. After this event, Lithuania voluntarily espoused Christianity. <\/p>\n

Biruta is revered by the Lithuanian people as an ideal of feminine virtue, and many little Lithuanian daughters have been proudly named in her honor. <\/p>\n

By implication, an emblematic fire is assumed to illuminate the Biruta Fountain, symbol of the ever\u00adlasting flame kept by the vestal virgins in the pagan temple of old Lithuania. <\/p>\n

The Fountain-of Biruta is dedicated to the Lithu\u00adanian women of Cleveland, and bears a plaque testi\u00adfying to their generous contributions and enterpris\u00ading fund-raising which have made this monument possible. <\/p>\n

A unique and fascinating feature of the Lithu\u00adanian Garden, also traceable to pagan influence, is the zig-zag motif used as a decorative theme. This symbolizes lightning\u00a0in honor of Perunas, ancient god of thunder, once worshipped in Lithuania.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Basanavicius\"
Basanavicius<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The third stage of Lithuanian history-that of its rebirth after the First World Was, is commemorated in the stone-paved lower court of the garden by a bust of Dr. Jonas Basanavicius (1851-1927), scholar, historian, and first president of the Lithuanian Republic in 1918. The bust is a gift of the Lithuanian Government.<\/p>\n

In a nook of the upper level garden, which is planted with alleys of oak leaf and mountain ash, there is a bronze bust of Vincas Kudirka (1859-1899), poet, author, and composer of Lithuanian national anthem. The Kudirka Society of Cleveland, and was dedicated on September 21, 1938.<\/p>\n

One the opposite of the garden, a nook has been appropriated for the placement of a bust of Maciulis Maironis, the poet-priest whose poems were the inspiration for the Lithuanians’ struggle for independence. Funds for this bust, at the pres\u00adent writing, are being raised by St. George’s Church.<\/p>\n

Both the Basanavicius and Kudirka busts are copies of originals by Jonas Zikaras, now in the garden of the Museum of Kamas, Lithuania. <\/p>\n

Also in the Lithuanian Garden are two oak trees, dedicated respectively to the Lithuanian Alliance of America and the Lithuanian Roman Catholic Al\u00adliance of America in appreciation for their large financial contributions and moral support in the building of the garden. A linden tree was dedicated to the Lithuanian Metropolitan opera star, Miss Anna Kaskas, whose concert yielded a contribution to the Lithuanian Garden sufficiently large to wipe out debts incurred during construction.<\/p>\n

The original design was drawn up in Lithuania by Professor Dubinecras, and was modified to fit the boulevard topography by the City Plan Com\u00admission of Cleveland. WPA funds for the con\u00adstruction of the garden were approved to the amount of $27,000.<\/p>\n

\"Kudirka\"
Kudirka<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Lithuanian Garden was dedicated on October 11, 1936, with the unveiling of the statue of Dr. Jonas Basanavicius. An impressive procession marched to the strains of the Lithuanian national anthem, and about 2000 spectators witnessed the ceremonies. A wreath of Lithuanian rue, red roses, and foliage of the diemedis, or Gods tree, was placed before the bronze statue by ladies in Lithuanian national costume.<\/p>\n

\"Panoramic
Panoramic View of Lithuanian Cultural Garden From Lower Boulevard<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Principal speaker was Bronius K. Balutis, Lithu\u00adania\u2019s Minister to the United States.<\/p>\n

\u201cAside from being a picturesque lesson on the origins of the diverse population of this city, the Cultural Gardens development offers also an ex\u00adcellent course in international relations,\u201d Mr. Balutis sad. \u201cIt is an encouraging sight to see a great municipality actually demonstrating that its citizens may speak many different tongues, may have many distinct customs, may be partisans of various politi\u00adcal or religious beliefs–and still be peacefully united in a common purpose, for a common and noble achievement.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr. Balutis also spoke on behalf of his govern\u00adment in the Lithuanian language. K. S. Karpius, editor of Dirva, Lithuanian weekly, and the Rev\u00aderend Vincent G. Wilkutatis of St. George\u2019s Cath\u00adolic Church, also spoke in Lithuanian.<\/p>\n

Mayor Ray T. Miller accepted the bust of the Lithuanian hero on behalf of the city. Mrs. John L. Mihelich, first vice-president of the Lithuanian Cultural Garden Federation, together with Mrs. Lottie Sukys, secretary, unveiled the statue. Mrs. Mihelich also acknowledged the co-operation of the nineteen Lithuanian societies which worked to es\u00adtablish the garden. <\/p>\n

Other distinguished visitors to the Lithuanian Garden, in addition to Mr. Balutis, Minister Pleni\u00adpotentiary to the United States, have included the late Antanas Smetona, President of Lithuania; Mikas Bagdonas, attache of the Lithuanian Em\u00adbassy, and Mykolas Skipitas of Lithuania.<\/p>\n

The Sportsmen of Lithuania also staged a\u00a0basketball\u00a0game with the local St. George\u2019s Church team, for the benefit of the garden.<\/p>\n

Funds for the garden were raised by a local cul\u00adtural committee and by the Cultural Garden Fed\u00aderation by sponsoring picnics. concerts, theatrical events, and bazaars; and by solicited contributions through individuals and the contributions of twenty-one affiliated clubs and societies in the Lithuanian Cultural Garden Federation. In this manner, $11,\u00ad000 was raised.<\/p>\n

The first meeting of the Lithuanian Cultural Garden Association occurred on October 4, 1929. The first officers were Vincent P. Chesnul, presi\u00addent; John T. Derichter, first vice-president; Mrs. John L. Mihelich, second vice-president; K. S. Kar\u00adpius, executive secretary; and Peter P. Muliolis, treasurer.<\/p>\n

Officers at the present writing are John Brass, president; Florionas Saukevicius, first vice-president; Joseph Grazulevicius, second vice-president; Mrs. John L. Mihelich, recording secretary; and Mrs. Jus\u00adtin Mischik, financial secretary. <\/p>\n

Active members who have contributed generously of their time and efforts through the years since the beginnings of Lithuanian Garden history, have been Mrs. John L. Mihelich and Mrs. Justin Mischik, both continuous office-holders in the Lithuanian League and its parent organization, the Cultural Garden Federation. Mrs. Mihelich is also president of the Women\u2019s Committee of the Cultural Garden Federation. Mrs. Pola Glugodas has been active as a tireless publicity chairman, and in fund raising since the garden\u2019s inception. Mr. V. P. Chesnul, first president, rendered outstanding service during the planning and dedication of the garden. Mr. John Brass has ably succeeded him as president. Mr. Peter P. Muliolis has served on the board since its inception, in charge of organization finances. Mr. K. S. Karpius, secretary, has ,successfully secured contacts with Lithuania and aid from the Lithuanian government, for the benefit of the garden. Mr. George Vensluvas, successor to Mr. Karpius, deserves credit for his direction of the\u00a0Lithuanian\u00a0Sportsmen\u2019s show. Mr. Joseph Blaskevicius has led committees raising largest amounts in funds.<\/p>\n

By such loyal efforts as these has the beautiful Lithuanian Garden been added to the Cultural Gar\u00adden chain.<\/p>\n

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