Living in a multicultural society, I have heard many different opinions and beliefs about my country from various people. Some of them (not surprisingly) got to know about Lithuania for the first time in their lives when they met me, but those, who heard about it before, were usually mistaken by a bunch of stereotypes. Let's admit that all of us like to imagine, that a country has some things that are very typical and unique about it, but most of the time it's not so far from the truth. With Lithuania it's a bit different - most of the myths and stereotypes don't resemble the reality at all - almost like a shot in the dark, trying to hit the target. But the target is not even near.
So here comes a list of myths and stereotypes, that (in my opinion and based on my own experience) people could have about a little country on a Baltic shore - Lithuania.
1) Lithuania's capital is Riga.
Well, Riga is a well- known capital, because of it's harbor. Vilnius is much harder to pronounce (and to remember) and has more historical importance, which, in a modern world, can be easily ignored by common people, who aren't so keen on reading about history. The difference between Latvia and Lithuania are also a bit too slight for them.
2) People speak Russian as the main language.
No. The older generation might still speak it, as it was an important school subject, but younger citizens are very unfamiliar with it. People are proud to have preserved Lithuanian language, one of the most ancient languages in the world, even though in the time of Russian Empire, it was forbidden to speak or read it. They try to wipe our language of the surface of Earth, but didn't succeed. Maybe that's why it hits a painful spot, whenever we hear the question, if it's Russian that we speak in Lithuania.
3) People are poor.
It's a very general statement. A level of poverty might be high, but it's mostly in the villages and small cities. I would dare to claim, that people, getting the average salary can afford a normal life without trembling for tomorrow. Maybe not too luxurious, but definitely enough to not call it "poor".
4) Basketball is the only sport we have some achievement in.
Not true! We have great athletes, cyclists, and tennis players! Enough to check our achievements in latest Olympic games - we have many medals in different spheres. Our citizen was also nominated as World's Strongest Man and was a champion among heavy athletes.
5) There is no good music in Lithuania.
It's true that we don't have many international artists, but that doesn't mean there's no good music in Lithuania. The worst thing is that even some Lithuanians believe that... This topic definitely needs a separate topic with Youtube links and tips about good music!
Picking piano pieces for my students Mila and Niki, is not easy. I know their tastes in music, so I always try to find something, that they will really like. Mila prefers melodic, minor-scaled pieces, with some chromatic elements, she's a serious and musical 12 years old girl, and 10 years-old Niki likes to play fast and cheerful pieces, just as cheerful and fun, as she is herself. I pick classical songs, that would suit them, and most of the time I pick the right ones! For the summer, Mila got to play the Swan Song and the famous Hungarian Dance, and Niki's songs were - Mozart's Minuet "Don Giovanni" and Curious Story. They were both happy by this choice!
