Influence of globalisation on contemporary Lithuanian wedding customs

Straipsnyje nagrinėjama globalizacijos įtaka XXI a. pr. vestuvių mergvakariams ir bernvakariams. Bandoma išsiaiškinti, kaip globalizacija pakeičia prasmės konstravimo kontekstą: kaip ji paveikia žmonių kultūrinį tapatumą vestuvių papročiuose, kokį poveikį daro žmonių sampratoms ir vertybėms, laiko ir erdvės suvokimui. Pagrindinis darbo šaltinis - lauko tyrimai, autorės atlikti 2008-2009 m. (apklausta 110 respondentų). Mergvakariai ir bernvakariai, perimti iš vakarų pasaulio, yra gana populiarūs šiuolaikinėse vestuvėse. Jų struktūra nėra griežta, nes jie švenčiami kaip improvizuoti pramoginio pobūdžio vakarėliai. Straipsnyje išskyrėme 3 šiuolaikinių mergvakarių modelius: 1) modernius, karnavalinius vakarėlius; 2) tradicinius mergvakarius, 3) pramoginio pobūdžio vakarėlius, kuriuose derinami senieji bei šiuolaikiniai papročiai. Moderniuose mergvakariuose sąmoningai atsisakoma senųjų tradicinių papročių. Tai radikalus senosios tradicijos atmetimas ir inovacinių populiarios kultūros reiškinių integracija šiuolaikinėse vestuvėse. Bernvakarių šventėse išskyrėme 2 šventės modelius: 1) ekstremalių pojūčių vakarėlius; 2) pasilinksminimo vakarėlius pirtelėje, kavinėje ar klube. Aptartų vakarėlių šventės liudija globalizacijos apraiškų gajumą, vartotojiškos kultūros plitimą, tradicinių vertybių bei tautinio identiteto transformaciją. XXI a. pr. mergvakariuose ir bernvakariuose aptinkamos asimiliacijos, kreolizacijos apraiškos bei modernios tapatybės paieškos.The paper focuses on contemporary Lithuanian wedding customs and looks at the influence of globalisation on contemporary hen and stag nights. The paper draws on the field research carried out in 2008-2009. The paper also draws on previous research and media articles. Globalisation manifests itself in numerous aspects in Lithuanian families and customs. On one hand, they destroy the elements of Lithuanian identity, but on the other, it opens up new possibilities to rethink and reinterpret it. Contemporary wedding customs are dynamic. They develop constantly and adapt to the changing environment. Current research suggests that contemporary hen and stag nights have no determined structure, and that they are improvised. However, several types of hen nights can be distinguished. Two types of hen nights were determined during the Soviet times: 1) a traditional reconstructed hen night with the ancient meaning of the rite existed in the second half of the 20t h c.; 2) an alternative way to celebrate hen nights emerges in the 1970-80s. The current research proves that not a single case of a stag night party was documented during the Soviet times. This tradition must have died out. Restoration of the independence hen and stag nights re-emerge with a new transformed form. Contemporary hen and stag nights are improvised entertainment parties. There are many customs inherited from Western Europe and the US, as well as manifestations of popular culture and consumer values due to globalisation in hen and stag night customs. The paper singles out three types of hen nights: 1) contemporary, carnival type parties; 2) traditional hen nights; 3) entertainment parties that combine ancient and contemporary customs. Contemporary parties consciously refuse traditional customs. They radically reject the old tradition and integrate innovative, popular culture phenomena into contemporary weddings. Two stag night types have been singled out: 1) extreme sensation parties; 2) entertainment parties in saunas, cafes or clubs. Both types of parties testify to the persistence of globalisation, spreading of consumer culture, transformation of traditional values and national identity. The influence of popular culture determines open and vulgar eroticism of both hen and stag night parties. Contemporary pre-wedding parties in both cities and villages vary greatly in their means of expression. The old traditions change, transform and arc replaced by those which arc new, adapted and imported from Western Europe and the USA. Contemporary hen and stag night customs arc manifold. The meaning of their actions and elements are quite far removed from the ancient traditional ones. Due to globalisation they have acquired completely different significations. Both manifestations of assimilation and crcolisation as well as a search of contemporary Lithuanian identity are apparent in contemporary hen and stag parties. Hen and stag night parties arc like a mirror reflecting objectives and .values of our society as well as developments in life-style and Lithuanian identity