Punsk's region

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Punsk’s countryside is a land of Lithuanian songs, dances, intresting traditions and tasty dishes. It’s nature is pure and beautiful with lots of hills and valleys, forests, fields and lakes.

Its history and skillful inhabitants left  interesting buildings, museums, wayside crosses, stony monuments and nice farmsteads.

We encourage  you to read this publication and to make sure that this region is really worth visiting.

A little bit of history.

In Punsk’s region first inhabitant’s signs were dated from 10 000 BC. There lived the Yotvingians in the firts part of the Middle Ages. A castle hill in Engline (9 kilometres from Punsk to the north) is their inharitance.

The Yotvingians had lived there till the 13^th century, when finally they were invaded by the Order  of Teutonic Knights. For long time the land was covered by forests which were started to colonise by Lithuanians, Poles and Russians in the 15^th century. Only Lithuanians and Polish people  stayed there till these days.

In the historical dokuments Punsk is mentioned in 1559.  The Mazovien Stanislaw Zalivski established there a village. In 1606 Punsk is called a town. That period is very important in Punsk’s history because it was developing very quickly. There were a school and hospital. Unfotunately, the plague killed lots of the inhabitants and later  after the division of Poland, the town belonged to Prussia, and later to Russia. The economy got worse and that was the reason that in the 18^th century civic rights were lost.

Later there were opened a school, various  associations, a small bookshop. A lot of Jews lived there. Nowadays you can see only their old buildings and a cementary. German Evangelics also lived there. Their cementaries remained in Punsk and Paliunai.

Although nowadays Punsk doesn’t have the civic rights it is called a ‘town’ by its inhabitants.

Seivai is mantioned in the same year as Punsk in 1559. In Seivai  a mansion was established by the village’s headman. Next the mansion there is a lake called “Seiviai”. According to the stories of old people, on the island of the lake there used to be a castle. On the lake’s ground (from Vaitakiemis-country side) there is a big stone (about 2 metres height) which top is seen on the shore.  Nearby Seivai  there is a lake called “Boksis”.

Smalenai belongs to Punsk’s community. It is mentioned in 1642 as a small mansion, from the 18^th  century as a village. The name of the village comes from “smaliokai” which means the producers of  resin. Habermanas was a lord of this land, he bought it and wanted to enlarge it to the town. He tried to establishe the cloth manufactory. He built a church and monestary. But the civic rights weren’t got.

Other Punsk’s countries were establishing in the 16^th and 17^th centuries. It is worth to mention such  countries “Egline” and its Yotvingian castle hill; Kreivenai where is the monument of illegal  books distributor  P.  Matulevicius; Trakiskes where the old train station was built by tsar; Giluisiai in which forest there is  a badger’s hill. On its top there was a chapel. It is thought that in the old times there were the pagan places where the sacred fire was burning and the gods were honoured.

Museums and historic-cultural monuments.

An Open-Air Ethnic Museum with old farmstead buildings from the 19-20^th centuries (0,5 kilometres from Punskas, on the left side of the road to Sejnai). There you can see an old house, a barn, a cattleshed, a granary and a draw-well. In each of the building there are old tools such as farm implements, old textiles. Every year there are held Barn Theatres.

The Neo-Gothic church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary is the third temple which was rebuilt in the same place. In 1597 there was a wooden church but in 1772 it  was  burnt down and in 1868  a new wooden church was built. It was finished in 1881. The church was built of stones, without plastering. There are three naves and two towers of 35 metres height. In the left tower there are three bells. Inside  and the ceiling of the church is decorated with Lithuanian ornaments. In the temple there are 5 altars: the main altar is oaken one, in the centre of wich there are  sculptures of  Christ,  Mary and St John and kneeling Magdalena. There are a lot of other sculptures, paintings, stained-glasses, intresting Lithuanian  flags, and organ.

An Ethnographic Museum was established by Juozas Vaina in 1979. From 1968 he was gathering the exhibits, he gathered about 2 thousands of  them. In this museum we can see the collection of farm implements, old textiles, cloths, there is also a place  to commemorate Lithuanian pilots Darius and Girenas.  The museum is opened in the Lituanian Culture Centre.

Punsk’s Societies History Museum was established by the Sitarskai and R. Vitkauskas. This museum is in the medical centre. J. S. Paransevicius looks after it. There you can see archeological exhibits of Yotvingians and exhibition of the Suwałki, Sejny, Punsk publications.

The Old Vicarage  Museum – Gallery was opened in 1995. It is looked after A. Vaicekauskiene. You can see there  permament array of traditional textiles

In Smalenai there is St Izydor church which was built in the same year as monastery in 1839 by landholder Habermanas. Since 1897 it is a parish church. Built of stones and plastering with one nave and one tower of 14 metres height. Inside there are 3 alters. In the main alter there is crucified Christe’s sculpure. In the yard there is a chapel which was built in 1846. In the basament of it the Habermans were buried.

Other visiting places:

□ Kampuociai. There is a monument in memory of reconstitution of Lithuanian independence. “Freedom Oak-wood” grows around it. One oak was grown to commemorate John Paul II.

□ Kreivenai. The monument of illegal books distributor P. Matulevicius (when Lithuanian printing was banned 1864-1904)

□ Punskas, near the church. The monument to the partisans who were fighting against Soviet for Lithuania’s freedom

□ Punskas, Mickevicius Street. The monument commemorating  Punskas parish’s 400^th year

Punskas by Punia lake. A monument by the old Catholics’ cementary

□ Punskas, Kovo 11 Street. The new Lithuanian Culture Centre

□ Punskas, The Catholics’ new cementary (Norkaus Street) The Catholics’ old cementary (Kovo 11 Street)

□ Punskas village,  the Jewish cementary.

□ Trakiskes. The old wooden train station in  Russian style which was built 1896-1898. It is similar to Uznemunes railway.

Punskas countryside amateur performers

Punskas  countryside’s inhabitants like dances and songs therefore a lot of Lithuanian folk bands, barn theatre groups were established. Not only children and young people but also adults usually whole families take part in performances.Dances and songs are handed from generation to genaration. In repertoire there are Lithuanian folk dances, songs, poems, music. The participants usually wear Lithuanian national clothes. The musicians play the old instruments.

The Punskas ensambles:

□ choreographic ensamle “JOTVA”, it works since 1951, the leader - K. Janusoniene

□ Folk band “KLUMPE” works since 1956, the leader -  J. Zakaravicius

□ Choir “DZUKIJA” works since 1957, the leader - V. Simanauskas

□ Barn theatre  group, works since 1958, the leader  - T. Paranseviciene

□ Dance group “VYCIAI”, works since 2001, the leader  - A. Peciuliene

□ Children  artistic group “PUNIUKAI”, works since 2003, the leaders -  A. Peciuliene, J. Zakaravicius

□ Punskas secondary school students’ dance group “SALCIA” works since 2000, the leader - A. Peciuliene

□ Folk band “Gimtine”, works since 1989, the leader -  K. Sidaris

□ Folk band “ALNA”, works since 1996, the leader -  V. Batvinskas

□ Children artistic group DANCE-MIX K;  the leader -  Janusoniene

□ Band  “SESUPE” works since 1992, the leader  - D. Zimnickas

 There are also a lot of other ensembles, folk bands, various societies. Every group has an opportunity to perform in a rally in Burbiskes, in Barn Theatre festival, in the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and in other meetings.

Cultural performances

□ Shrovetide. It is a feast of spring, winter’s farewell, end of carnival. In Punsk’s countryside, schoolchildren wearing  fancy dresses like Jews, Gipsy, beggars travel from country to country. More (the symbol of winter) is burnt down.

□ Palm Sunday, Easter, Sunday after Easter. On Palm Sunday  people bring palms (it can be green little branches, flowers etc.) to consecrate them in the church. During the Great Week people tidy their houses and surroundings. Just before Easter , Easter eggs are painted. This tradition nowadays is also cherished.  Since 1997  the exhibition-competition is held by  Lithuanian Ethnic Culture Association in Poland.

□ Spring of Poem. This  festival is held in every year in  May. Poets from Poland and Lithuania, schoolchildren and young people take part in this festival. The culmination of the festival is the meeting at the foot of Egline castle hill where gathered people  listen to poems, music and songs.

□ Opening of the Tourist Season. This festival is held on  last Sunday of May or firts one in June by Seivai Lake in the Tourist Centre “Silaine”. You can listen to folk bands from Lithuania, Punskas, Suvalkai and see Lithuanian and Polish folk art exhibition.

□ St John Night. The festival takes place on Suturday by 24  June. In the Tourist Centre “Silaine” by Seivai Lake. The festival’s rites are these: entering through the gates, gathering the grass, twining  wreaths, foretelling from wreaths and grasses; songs and playings; honour the trees and crops; farewell of the Sun; the fire burning, the floating of the  wreaths in the lake; songs, dances by the fire; looking for the blossom of the fern; greeting of the rising Sun. In the festival also witches take part. During the festival local and Lithunian folk bands play.

□ Rally of Lithuanian folk bands from Punskas, Seinai, Suvalkai in Burbiskes.  Lithuanian folk bands from Punskas, Seinai, Suvalkai give perfomances on last Sunday of June every year in Burbiskes. At the foot of the hill by the lake there is a stage where folk bands give their performances.

□ St Ann’s Day. The folk festival is held on last Sunday of July in the Tourist Centre “Silaine” by Sevai lake. There is an evening party.

□ Assumption of Virgin Mary, Days of Punskas. The Assuption always take place 15 August. Each country of Punskas commune make wreaths. There are folk art exhibition of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia. You can buy there textiles, laces, neeldleworks, works of ceramic, clay, wood; palms, baskets, candles etc. You can taste and buy Lithuanian bread, cakes, honey. In the church’s square there are held  concerts  of local bands and bands from Lithuania. There is a possibility to visit a gallery with array of floral art  arranged in the old presbytary. In  evening at the bank of the Punia lake there is also held a harvest-home feast.

In the same day there are  celebrated Days of Punskas. Since 2004 the festival of bread, honey and milk has been  taking place. By the lake Sevai there are demonstrated bread baking, cheese preparation and butter beating, honey twisting, wreaths twining. You can also dance or listen to the Lithuanian music.

□ Barn theatre festival in Punskas in Open-Air Ethinic Museum. The Lithuanian performances are shown in the barn in July or August. In the festival local and from Lithuania artists take place. Most of the theatres are based on comical Lithuanian plays.

□ Meetings of national and ethnic minorities. The festival is held in November in Lithuanian Culture Centre in Punskas. Byelorussians, Ukrainians, Tatarstans, Jews, Gipsies, Russians, Germans, Kashubians and Lithuanians take place in the festival with their songs, dances, poems, music, theatre. You can also see each  of the nation folk art exhibition

Agrotourism farms

□ Kampuociai. Petras Zimnickas. Tel. (0048 87) 5161058. The house and garden are located by the lake. 3 rooms (4 beds)  shower, toilet, sauna, fully-equipped kitchen,living room with fire place. Pure nature and calmness.

□ Ozkiniai. Anele and Valdas Krakauskai (Silas). Tel. (0048 87) 5161136, www.punskas.pl/shilas; agrotourism farm „Silas” by the lake Seivai. 3 rooms (2 beds)  with common kitchen; 2 rooms (4 beds) with seperate bathroom and kitchen; living room (for 40 people) with fire place; big balcony; beach, foot bridge, boats.

□ Ozkiniai. Danute and Algis Sliauziai. Tel. (0048 87) 5161136. 3rooms (5 beds),toilet,shower, sauna, fire place, separate entrance; fishing, gathering mushrooms, hunting.Ozkiniai forest 2 km from Punskas, 3 km from Seiviai lake. Pure and calm countryside.

□ Ozkiniai (Silaine). Irena and Albinas Susceviciai. Tel. (0048 87) 5161242, 5161712; email albinas@interia.pl. Tourism and recreational centre. Agrotourism lodging with 5 rooms (12 beds), sauna, shower; camping and a place for tents; place for meetings for 50 people; mini bar, fire place. At guest disposal there are: pedalos, boats, canoes, windsurfers, a sport ground for playing volleyball, football, basketball; riding in horse-drown wagonette; 300m beach, Ozkiniai forest. Festivals: begining of tourist season, St John’s night, St Ann’s Day, sport competitions; trips to Lithuania.

□ Punskas. Elena and Jonas Bobimai. Tel. (0048 87) 5161058. 3 rooms (6 beds), full board; toilet, shower, fire place; pond. The calm place.

□ Punskas. Vilhelmina and Valentas Zukauskai. Tel. (0048 87) 5161225. 3 rooms (6 beds) shower, separate entrance, orchard with a place for rest; traditional meals; bikes. Nearest lake and forest - 4,5 km. Quiet street.

□ Sankurai. Irena and Petras Makauskai. Tel. (0048 87) 5171064. The farmstead is situated on the edge of the forest, the nearest lakes are Galvietis – 1,5 km, and Galadusis – 2 km. 4 rooms (10 beds), toilet, shower, separate entrance; bikes, riding in a horse-grown wagonette, fire place, a sport ground for playing volleyball; full board; transport.

□ Trakiskes. Petras Krakauskas. Tel. (0048 87) 5161315, mobile phone 0502574909; www.punskas.pl/sodas. 17 rooms (32+10 beds), all conveniences; a place for feasts, fire place; riding in a horse-grown wagonette, in wintersleighing; bicycles, billiards; fishing, gathering mushrooms; trips to Lithuania.

Regional cuisine

Punskas’s region is famous for its Lithianian dishes. Lithuanian pyramidal cake called “sakotis”,  “skilandis” (the kind of sausage made of smoked coarsely chopped pork meat), bread, cheese and honey are the most desirable  dishes of tourists.

The restaurant “Sodas” in Punskas, “Karciama” in Seinai Lithuanian Centre and agrotourism farms offer delicious Lithuanian cuisine. You can also taste these Lithuanian dishes during the Assumption feast.

The tastiest dishes are these: “cenakai” (stew cabbage with milled meat, grated carrot, topped with cream), Lithuanian “blynai” (grated potatoes  with meat filling roasted in frying-pan), dumplings, “vedarai” (kind of sausage made of grated potatoes stuffed into entrails and baked in the oven), “kibinai” (pastry) and red beet soup, “koldunai” (dish of meat in paste),  beetroot cold soup,  “skilandis” (the kind of sausage made of smoked coarsely chopped pork meat), smoked ham, flank, rural sausage (it can be purchased in “Desra” in Punskas). Different kinds of cake: “skruzdelynas” (anthill), “sakotis” (pyramidal cake), cake called “Napoleonas”, “simtalapis”, “kaminas” (chimney), “berzo saka” (branch of birch).

If you want to make sure of  flavour of the Lithuanian cuisine,  come and try it.

Folk art

Folk artists activity came to life in Punskas region when Lithuanian Ethnic Culture Association in Poland  had been established. Thanks to its chairwoman  A. Vaicekauskiene, we can see the works of weavers, Easter eggs’ painters, knitters, fretworkers and  smithers. Most part of the exhibits are in the gallery-exhibition in old vicarage. You cannot only see the exhibits but also buy: original textiles, woven sashes, towels, palms, Easter eggs, flax textiles, table cowers; ceramic works, earthenware etc.

The biggest number of folk artists can be met during the Assumption festival 15 August. You can also observe the process of creating their works 

In Ozkiniai (Oszkinie) village on the initiative of Petras Lukosevičius there is built a settlement of the Yatvingians and the Prussians. He wants to immortalize the memory about the tribes that used to live here hundreds of years ago.

Near the way to farmstead there are many big stones put together. According to P. Lukosevičius, they are not just simple field rocks, they are pagan gods, the only witnesses to the old past, knowing some secrets about the Yatvingians and the old Prussians. We can also see the defensive tower and a few pagan altars where the holy fire was lit by the Balts.

The owner is also going to build a castle with four towers, which will be surrounded by a moat and fortified walls. Besides, in inaccessible place there will be built a Prussian house and close to it formed a mound with Yatvingian farmstead. It is planned that in the future the place will be visited by tourists who will be able to stay here for some time in seclusion from noise, see the museum or exhibitions which will be organized here, or just enjoy the beauty of nature. The place will be available for visitors all year round.

Punskas commune nowadays

Punskas commune is situated in the north-eastern part of the Podlasie province and belongs to the Sejny county. It was erected on 1 January 1973. The neighbouring communes are: Szypliszki, Krasnopol and Sejny. The north-eastern part of Punskas commune neighbours the border of Lithuania. The commune is 138,4 km˛ in area. It encompasses 33 villages. It has a population of 4611 and 80% of the people are Lithuanians. In Punskas there are around 1120 inhabitants.

The most of the territory of the commune is hilly with forests in some parts. The biggest is Kreivenai forest, called by the local people “Giluišgiris”. There are a few lakes in this area. The biggest ones are Seivis and Boksis, the smaller ones - Trumpalaitis, Kampuotis, Juodelis, and Punia. There is the Maricha river that flows through the commune territory (its northern part is called by the local people Salcia and Juodoji).

In the Punskas commune agriculture is well developed and is the main source of living of local inhabitants. People mainly raise pigs, cows and bulls. The farms are modernized and adapted to EU standards: pigsties and cowsheds are renovated and enlarged, more attention is paid to tidiness of a farm and its surroundings as well as protection of nature.

The infrastructure of Punskas commune is well developed. 20% of roads are asphalted, around 30-50 km of country roads are repaired every year. Each farmstead has got water supply and telephone. There is a sewage treatment plant in Punskas.

The commune office is in Punskas where there are public services, educational and cultural institutions.

(Translation from Lithuanian to English: Alicija Krakauskiene) 

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