Publisher's Foreword

The Lithuanian Charter tells us "A Lithuanian treasures his national heritage and customs." Lithuanians and their descendants dispersed throughout the world, strive to keep their Lithuanian culture, language, art, songs and dance, customs and traditions alive amongst their families, organizations, and communities. Therefore, the "Lithuanian Customs and Traditions", 1st and 2nd edition (1989 and 1993), published by the Lithuanian World Community, became a very successful book. Popular demand encouraged the Lithuanian World Community and its Education Commission to publish a 3rd edition. We are especially grateful to the author and editor, Danute Brazyte Bindokiene, for her original work and revised new edition. We appreciate the administration of all three editions by he Lithuanian World Community Foundation, and particularly for having financed the last two editions. We believe that this 3rd edition of "Lithuanian Customs and Traditions" will be useful and invaluable to families of Lithuanian heritage, schools, and all those who seek their roots, or have an interest in the customs and traditions of Lithuania.