RATELIS
LITHUANIAN FOLK ARTS GROUP


Martina Reisgys spinning
The group "Ratelis" came into existence about 1982, the chosen name "ratelis" meaning a little wheel (for spinning wool). Up to that time only within our families had we maintained Lithuanian traditions - prepared Christmas Eve meals with all the traditions, decorated Easter eggs, baked Lithuanian cakes to celebrate family events. The years came and went; our family grew up and there now was some free time to immerse ourselves in Lithuanian cultural heritage.
The more organised activities of "Ratelis" formalised themselves after two years. The founders of "Ratelis" were Elena Birkmanis (a director of the Sydney Lithuanian Club at the time), Martina Reisgys and Emilija Šliogeris. We advertised through SBS Lithuanian radio, Lithuanian newspapers and began our work. During the first lessons we wove only sashes, keeping in mind that the sash, woven according to folk traditions, is the oldest type of weaving. We waited to see what would be the response within the community. We got about 20 "pupils", among them not only Lithuanian girls, but also several Australians, one Swede and one German textile specialist, who wanted to get acquainted with Lithuanian folk weaving.

Straw Art decorations
on Christmas Tree
After a year "busy hands" Elena and Emilija left with their families to live on the Gold Coast. So as to maintain enthusiasm and work progress, support was sought from the then Committee of the Sydney Lithuanian Community. The Committee was happy to aid "Ratelis" in its stated aims and activities. A forward plan for a year's activities was produced. We obtained a table loom and began weaving cloth with Lithuanian patterns.
As the years passed, the requirements changed also. Into the activities of "Ratelis" we brought in other folk arts - straw art for adorning Christmas trees and for decorating wedding festivities, Easter egg decorating and many more. We put on folk art exhibits within the Lithuanian community and beyond. Often a display of the life cycle of flax, the so called "life of woe of flax " ("lino muge") was organised, where viewers could see the complete flax life cycle - flax seeds, flax in bloom, flax being gathered, combed flax being spun and finished cloth being woven on a loom.
In the days when Lithuania had still not reestablished its independence away from the Soviet Union, Australians showed a great deal of interest towards Lithuanian folk art. Invitations flooded in from churches, schools, museums and individual persons. Everyone wanted to see the folk art of that unknown country.


Lithuanian Folk Art
1991. The Australian Museum in Sydney invited "Ratelis" to take part in a festival for school children organised by it. Having chosen the theme "Lithuanian cultural heritage", we demonstrated how sashes are woven, how traditional patterns are woven onto cloth strips ("takeliai") with miniature looms, how flax and wool are spun on a traditional Lithuanian spinning wheel. The school children showed a great deal of interest in the Lithuanian spinning wheel and our blue flowered flax plant. Interest was shown in woven linen cloth, especially when we showed a 100 year old example of this and how the use of the special characteristics of flax has been maintained in Lithuanian folk art. To the children of visitors we gave a demonstration on how to weave a small sash, which could then be used as a bookmark.


1991 Lithuanian Cultural Heritage Exhibition
at The Australian Museum in Sydney
1992. The Maritime Museum of Sydney expressed a wish to have a Lithuanian woman's national costume with amber decorations. M. Reisgys lent to the Museum her own costume for a year.

1993, 1994. "Ratelis" put on two day fairs for the Lithuanian community and Australian friends. As well as the numerous folk art exhibits, this time Lithuanian folk songs and Lithuanian cuisine were also introduced. Guests were given a demonstration of the baking of the Lithuanian "tree cake" ("raguolis"). The "tree cakes" on the tables were like a formation of "kings" on a chess board. All this was thanks to our Lithuanian sisters, who having recently migrated to Australia, gladly joined "Ratelis" activities. A guest from the museum kept shaking his head in disbelief as to how the Lithuanians could bake a cake in a horizontal oven!


Lithuanian food, with the traditional Tree cake, "Raguolis"
1995. At the Sunnybrook Convention Centre, Liverpool, there was an ethnic symposium, organised by Centacare director, Irena Eirošyte - Ross. The Lithuanian folk arts exhibition was prepared by Leta Kramilius and Onute Kapočius. All the exhibits were provided by M. Reisgys.

1996. At the beginning of the year there were rumours that Lithuanian orphans were in great need. The "Ratelis" women put aside all folk arts and began a drive to help the needy orphans. They knitted jumpers, caps, socks, "begged" from shops for new clothes, shoes, toys and other items suitable for children. They personally helped out with money, when needed.

Dolls dressed in Lithuanian National Costume
The same year, to celebrate 50 years of cultural input to Australia, Ruta Mataitis OAM, an advisor to the Premier of NSW Ethnic Communities Council, invited "Ratelis" to put on an exhibition in Wollongong, in which displayed were beautiful sashes, woven cloths, a national costume and three dolls, named "The Three Sisters", dressed in national dress. The porcelain dolls were made by the many-talented artist and active "Ratelis" member, Dr. Angonita Wallis, and the dolls' costumes were woven by Martina Reisgys.

Martina Reisgys weaving
After years of much activity the work of "Ratelis" has slowed, but has not stopped. Before Christmas 2001 "Ratelis" gave a lesson to students at the Lithuanian Language Classes on how to make straw decorations and adorn Christmas trees. There is enough enthusiasm around and willingness to foster our folk arts. On April 10, 2002, there was a "refresher" lesson for grown-ups.
"Ratelis" was a major contributor to the very successful Lithuanian Culture and Folklore Exhibition at Waverley Library in Bondi Junction, March 8 -16, 2003. There were demonstrations of spinning and weaving, straw art making, a performance of Lithuanian music, displays of books, artworks, amber, wooden devil masks. The guests were offered coffee, tea and the famous Lithuanian tree cake "raguolis", which was declared very tasty by all.
"Ratelis" now provides a service in helping with alterations, additions and help with the acquisition of new authentic Lithuanian folk costumes.


Written by Martina Reisgys, March 2003
Translated by Ramutis Zakarevicius