Relations of Lithuanian and polish folk songs: methodological aspects

For a long time Lithuanian ethnomusicologists were interested in internal local musical features inside Lithuania (Dzūkija, Žemaitija, Aukštaitija, Suvalkija, historical Lithuania-Minor and Klaipėda district) only. There were made great achievements in the 20th century. And now the time comes to start with comparative studies with the musical folklore materials of all the neighbouring countries. The Polish materials give us the new facts about strong and wide relations between a great number of Lithuanian and Polish folk songs, both in their poetic texts and their melodic lines. There are great influences of Byelorussian (possibly - also Ukrainian) influences in Polish folk songs recorded in Lithuanian Polish speaking localities. It is necessary to make clear it. We have to make clear about special Lithuanian-Polish musical folklore contacts generally. In near future we also have to get here information about possible common folklore features with other Slavonic nations (Byelorussian, Ukrainian, Czech, Russian, Bulgarian, up to former Yugoslavian nations - Slovenia, Croatia, Macedonia, etc.). In this task it is necessary to collaborate with linguists - specialists of each Slavonic language including local dialects. All the comparative studies in this field are possible having strong and productive personal contacts with the scientific people and scientific institutions of all the neighbouring nations and countries only. This way only we all will be able to get full information about the sources, rising, developments of our musical folklore, its regional individuality and local uniquity in one hand, or more or less wide international relations in other hand