Vilnius, Lithuania.
44
Vilnius, Lithuania.
Lithuania was the last pagan nation in Europe. Although the rulers and elite converted to Catholicism in the 14th century, they made no particular effort to stop popular pagan practices, which continued on for another couple centuries. This map shows the spread of Christianity in 1300 - take a look at Lithuania, the only blank spot in a sea of dates and colors.
That pre-Christian influence is still visible in Lithuania’s distinctive style of crosses, which reflect imagery of the pagan World Tree.
Young Jewish girls, Eišiškės, Lithuania, 1941.
the square in front of vilnius cathedral has one ‘special’ cobblestone, spin around on it three times and your wish will be granted. or so the legend would like us to believe.
A coin tossed into a beggar’s hat in Vilnius can be costly charity.
Lithuania’s capital recently introduced a ban on panhandling that not only punishes those who beg but those who give, with fines of up to 2,000 litas ($770).
Outraged rights groups say the ban spells misery for the needy in one of Europe’s poorest countries, as winter kicks in and economic turmoil spreads across the continent. Like other European Union nations, Lithuania has been implementing severe welfare cuts that promise to hit the homeless hard.
“Begging is a human right,” said Linas Kukuraitis, director of the Lithuanian chapter of Catholic charity group Caritas. “It was there long before cities emerged. There have always been those who begged and those who helped them.”
But Vilnius Mayor Arturas Zuokas says the ban will help beggars to find more sustainable ways to make a living.
“Giving money to people on the street is wrong,” Zuokas said. “By doing this we doom them to stay there forever.”
The ordinance took effect last week, but local police in Vilnius are not issuing fines just yet. Instead they are handing out cards to beggars with addresses and phone numbers of charities and homeless shelters. Stricter enforcement is expected to begin in January.
A mosque in Niemieza, Lithuania.
