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| Container | Contents | ||||||||||||
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| Series 6: Sound Recordings, 1977 (continued) | |||||||||||||
| Subseries 14: Polish (continued) | |||||||||||||
| Interview with Fr. Donald Bilinski, Polish Museum of America, Chicago, Illinois, part 1-4, June 06, 1977 (continued) | |||||||||||||
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Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20801a Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20801b Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20802a Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20802b |
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| 4 audiocassette, C-60 | |||||||||||||
| Part 1 of a 4-part interview with Franciscan Father Donald Bilinski, curator of the library at the Polish Museum of America, 984 N Milwaukee Ave.; Bilinski describes the immigration of Poles to Chicago between 1870 and 1910s; those coming from Poland at that time had little education, no study habits, wanted to group together, and wanted to go on speaking Polish; the spot where Ashland, Milwaukee, and Division Streets meet formed a triangle (there is a Polish expression for this) that was at the heart of Polonia (the name for Chicago's Polish community and their place in the city); there are about five Polish churches in the immediate area; in recent years, the neighborhood has clanged and has been changed by urban renewal and expressways; in the old days the Poles wanted to keep their ways and there was discrimination against them if they went out of the area; Polish Roman Catholic Union and other fraternal organizations were formed to help Polish Americans meet their needs, originally for things like money to bury family members; other organizations like the Polish National Alliance followed; their activities now are quite different; these organizations had cultural activities too, which is how this museum-library-archives complex grew, the library was founded in 1912 to give the neighborhood a recreation center and a chance for people to educate themselves, and it featured books in Polish on literature for enjoyment se well as self-help manuals to teach Poles skills; at that time, Polish immigrants hesitated to go to public libraries and most didn't speak English well; this service was the main function of the library for years, but its purpose has changed now, the immigrants who came after WWII are different, they want to learn English and become Americanized; Polish was taught in local schools until about 10 years ago; the Polonia neighborhood grew on a pattern like what was left behind in Poland; the church was the center, built first and then a school started, and social life revolved around these; the first schools taught in Polish; the second generation learned Polish in the schools as a second language, "the whole purpose behind these parochial schools was to retain the spirit and the customs . . . ."; interruption in the recording; the library has a large selection of children's books in Polish and is very proud of it, although they are not used much now; they are in very fragile condition and Bilinski discourages handling them; today, the library is mainly a research facility; they seek to acquire works on Poland in English; the holdings are about 80 percent in Polish and few people today can use them: "The third generation doesn't speak Polish"; many non-Poles who don't speak the language also do research in the library; they have 20, 000 volumes; Polish American students do use the library, high school and college age, if they get an assignment about ethnicity or whatever, then they favor their own background, there were many such projects during the Bicentennial; scholars from Poland use the library; here they get the true story unlike in communist Poland where things are slanted; the main, really the only, way that Polish is taught today is in the Saturday schools; there are 700 classes (or schools ?) in Chicago but since only meet once a week, they can't teach much language; for the most part, they introduce students to the culture and customs of Poland; the library doesn't work with the Saturday schools; Polish American young people in public schools may start a Polish club, there are several in colleges in area, e.g, one at the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle campus and one at Lane Tech; the Museum will cooperate with these if they ask for a display; the library is non-circulating except for fiction and literature, on for these categories, they lose many volumes; one goal is to acquire more music books, partly to put in the Paderewski room of the museum; the library collection had been cataloged up to 1950; then for about 20 years nothing was done to catalog acquisitions; recently they have been working on cataloging new acquisitions, now using Dewey Decimal system (the library had its own system through 1950), all books need to be re-cataloged. Part 2 of a 4-part interview with Franciscan Father Donald Bilinski, curator of the library at the Polish Museum of America, 984 N Milwaukee Ave.; no detailed summary of this part of the recording exists. Part 3 of a 4-part interview with Franciscan Father Donald Bilinski, curator of the library at the Polish Museum of America, 984 N Milwaukee Ave.; how lack of space is a big problem for the library; discusses periodicals, with a focus on American titles, they have 22 but none are complete runs; they are working to organize their prints, there is much demand for these from the press, artwork and photos, this serves the non-Polish community; many Chicago Polish Americans are not aware of the museum; there is not enough publicity; they were given a big batch of stuff from a world's fair held in New York before WWII, and they were swamped, able only to concentrate on housing and preserving it, not putting it in order; this happened in about 1941; now some of the materials that were in that fair are being claimed by people who lent them, they want money for them, this has resulted in many court cases for the museum; the library does have control of their clippings files, this is work done by volunteers; the museum hours are form 1-4, and they have a good guide (docent) Monday through Friday but the guide for the weekends does not have good command of English; the museum includes an art gallery with 400 original pieces, done by Poles and Polish Americans; they acquire works on Polish subjects or by Polish artists, if they get something else, they trade it for if they can; the museum's gallery is not for Polish American artists since there is a Polish Arts Club in Chicago that concentrates on this category; the museum and library has a [fund-raising] affair once a year, in different places, the event used to be at the gallery but many in their public do not like to come to this neighborhood in the evening anymore; the library is only open on one evening a week, Monday; since the museum does not sell paintings, Polish American artists are not so interested in showing there; they have 30 pieces from the Warsaw museum that came with the World's Fair lot, all classical; Father Bilinski prefers this to modern art; he was trained as an archivist but didn't use the training for a long time; he grew up in Chicago, though was not born here; he came to the museum 5-6 years ago, at that time, no one was doing much, the original director, Mr. Heiman, died in 1949 and things were left in the hands of a man who preferred other activities; he arranged for cultural events like concerts and the Polish dance troupes, in order to raise money, and tended to let the museum and archives go; they are currently publishing letters written by Kosciusko during the American Revolution; the museum is now supported by members; there is a four year old ladies auxiliary that runs the gift shop and an annual fund-raising affair, a dinner and theater party; the auxiliary also helps out when there is a temporary show in the gallery; they have had one man shows by various artists, e.g., the exhibit "Poles in Detroit," a display of Polish medals and medallions from Krakow, an exhibition of work by an artist named Zabrowski (Leszek Zebrowski ?) who did sketches of Polish scenes in America; one miniature painter, a woman who worked in flaming wax; each artist must leave a piece behind in exchange for the opportunity to show works in the gallery, this gives them a chance to be seen as most are unknown; in addition, the museum hosted a Smithsonian traveling exhibit on folk art, and invited artists to display and demonstrate reverse glass painting and wicynanki (paper cutting), these weren't from the Chicago area, the museum does not feature local artists but do feature work from Poland or other parts of the U.S.; the woman who did the wicynanki is from Connecticut, keeping up the tradition by publishing books on this, her books are sold in the gift shop; interruption in the recording; Bilinski shows books on crafts which are very popular, people use them or buy from gift shop, the shop is a convenience for people, a place where they can find such books, more of a service than a money maker; the museum had 7,000 visitors last year, tour groups come, especially consisting of senior citizens; there are five areas in the museum complex, the main hall is what was once a social hall, with an auditorium and stage, the choir loft is now used as the art gallery; there are two biographical rooms, the Kosciusko and the Paderewski, which are museum rooms; Mr. Heiman had been a friend of Paderewski so they have much memorabilia connected to him; interruption in the recording; discussion of books that sell. Part 4 of a 4-part interview with Franciscan Father Donald Bili?ski, curator of the library at the Polish Museum of America, 984 N Milwaukee Ave.; this part contains a fragment of sentence, duration less than one minute. | |||||||||||||
| Tape ID: AFC 1981/004: AFS 20803 - AFS 20803_02 | Identification of photographs in Sajewski collection, Chicago, Illinois, part 1-2, June 08, 1977 | ||||||||||||
| MBRS shelflist: RYA 0801 | |||||||||||||
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Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20803 Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20803_02 |
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| 2 audiocassette, C-60 | |||||||||||||
| Part 1 of a 2-part interview with sister and brother Jania Sajewski (Jeannette Sajewski Terley or Jeanette Sajewski Terlikowski) and Alvin Sajewski in their music store, 1227 Milwaukee Ave, made as the fieldworker photographed a number of historical photographs, record labels, and other materials in the store, as shown on rolls of film with the call numbers AFC 1981/004: b48692, b48693, and b48701; the log sheet for those rolls provide summary descriptions of the images, while these two interview recordings include elaborated descriptions. Part 2 of a 2-part interview with sister and brother Jania Sajewski (Jeannette Sajewski Terley or Jeanette Sajewski Terlikowski) and Alvin Sajewski in their music store, 1227 Milwaukee Ave, made as the fieldworker photographed a number of historical photographs, record labels, and other materials in the store, as shown on rolls of film with the call numbers AFC 1981/004: b48692, b48693, and b48701; the log sheet for those rolls provide summary descriptions of the images, while these two interview recordings include elaborated descriptions. | |||||||||||||
| Tape ID: AFC 1981/004: AFS 20804A - AFS 20804B | Interview with Alvin Sajewski and Jeannette Sajewski Terlikowski, Chicago, Illinois, part 1-2, June 03, 1977 | ||||||||||||
| MBRS shelflist: RYA 0802 | |||||||||||||
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Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20804a Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20804b |
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| 2 audiocassette, C-60 | |||||||||||||
| Part 1 of a 3-part interview with sister and brother Jania Sajewski (Jeanette Sajewski Terley or Jeannette Sajewski Terlikowski) and Alvin Sajewski in their music store, 1227 Milwaukee Ave; topics include earlier version's of the family's store in Chicago, the current iteration is the sixth; the basement has special features to control dampness; their family includes 3 girls and 5 boys, father died in 1948; about the demolition of one store because of urban renewal; in youth, Alvin Sajewski spent the most time in the store with his father, learned the business; Polish was spoken at home, there was pride in being Polish; Jeannette explains that her husband's name Terlikowski was shortened to Terley for ease in spelling; Poles and Polish Americans always stopped at Sajewski store, "if we didn't stay here no one could find us"; musical trends, earlier favored accordions and concertinas, today guitars; Alvin grew up with the record business; we give credit to buyers; about how proud ethnic Americans were to own a phonograph; in 1914, Columbia started recording polkas and waltzes, how the Sajewskis suggested to the big companies that they start recording what people wanted, which the Sajewskis knew about; Alvin's first chore in the store had been to wind up the photographs and play records for customers, his older brother taught him to tantalize customers by only playing part of the record, this task made Alvin very aware of customers' tastes, psychology of selling, play a few good ones, a few bad ones; joke about Halley's comet, at about the time of the passing in 1910. Part 2 of a 3-part interview with sister and brother Jania Sajewski (Jeanette Sajewski Terley or Jeannette Sajewski Terlikowski) and Alvin Sajewski in their music store, 1227 Milwaukee Ave; the recorded level (volume) on this part is too low to hear. | |||||||||||||
| Subseries 15: Lithuanian | |||||||||||||
| Tape ID: AFC 1981/004: AFS 20806A - AFS 20809A | Interview with Antanas Poskocimas, Lithuanian American woodcarver, Chicago, Illinois, part 1-7, April 20, 1977 | ||||||||||||
| MBRS shelflist: RYA 0804-0807 | |||||||||||||
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Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20806a Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20806b Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20807a Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20807b Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20808a Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20808b Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20809a |
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| 7 audiocassette, C-60 | |||||||||||||
| Part 1-7 of a 7-part interview in Lithuanian with woodworker Antanas Poskocimas at his home, 6354 South Rockwell, Chicago 60629; topics include Poskocimas's comments about America, reminiscences of Lithuania, and remarks about the place of folk art in the lives of Lithuanian refugees. | |||||||||||||
| Tape ID: AFC 1981/004: AFS 20809B - AFS 20810B | Interview with Lithuanian American woodcarver Antanas Poskocimas, and his apprentice Tony Markus, Chicago, Illinois, part 1-3, April 23, 1977 | ||||||||||||
| MBRS shelflist: RYA 0807-0808 | |||||||||||||
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Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20809b Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20810a Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20810b |
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| 3 audiocassette, C-60 | |||||||||||||
| Part 1-3 of a 3-part interview primarily in English with woodworker Antanas Poskocimas and his apprentice Tony Markus, at the Poskocimas home, 6354 South Rockwell, Chicago 60629; Markus is a third generation Lithuanian American. | |||||||||||||
| Tape ID: AFC 1981/004: AFS 20811A - AFS 20811B | Interview with Aldona Veselka, Lithuanian American weaver, Chicago, Illinois, part 1-2, April 25, 1977 | ||||||||||||
| MBRS shelflist: RYA 0809 | |||||||||||||
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Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20811a Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20811b |
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| 2 audiocassette, C-60 | |||||||||||||
| Part 1-2 of a 2-part interview in Lithuanian with weaver Aldona Veselka, at her home, 6531 South Washtenaw; discussion of her biography, when and how she learned her weaving skills, reasons for continued involvement in the art form. | |||||||||||||
| Tape ID: AFC 1981/004: AFS 20812A - AFS 20812B | Recording of performance and interview with Lithuanian American musician Balys Pakštas, Chicago, Illinois, part 1-2, April 27, 1977 | ||||||||||||
| MBRS shelflist: RYA 0810 | |||||||||||||
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Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20812a Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20812b |
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| 2 audiocassette, C-60 | |||||||||||||
| Part 1-2 of a 2-part interview in Lithuanian, together with musical performance, with Balys Pakstas, birbyne player, and his daughter, Ruta Pakstas, kankles player, at the Pakstas home, 2801 West 38th St. (in other notes, this address is also referred to as Paktas Hall); Balys Pakstas discusses his life and his reasons for reviving birbyne music. | |||||||||||||
| Tape ID: AFC 1981/004: AFS 20813A - AFS 20814B | Recording of rehearsal and discussion with members of the Pakštas trio, Chicago, Illinois, part 1-4, April 27, 1977 | ||||||||||||
| MBRS shelflist: RYA 0811-0812 | |||||||||||||
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Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20813a Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20813b Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20814a Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20814b |
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| 4 audiocassette, C-60 | |||||||||||||
| Part 1-4 of a 4-part recording of rehearsals by the Pakstas trio, together with discussion in Lithuanian, at the Pakstas home, 2801 West 38th St. (in other notes, this address is also referred to as Paktas Hall); the musicians include Balys Pakstas, Vincas Vaitkus, and Liubomiras Bichnevicius, all of whom play birbynes; the discussion is varied but includes biographical information about Balys Pakstas. | |||||||||||||
| Tape ID: AFC 1981/004: AFS 20815 - 20817 | Recording of traditional Lithuanian music by the Pakštas Ensemble, Chicago, Illinois, part 1-3, April 27, 1977, June 14, 1977; July 12, 1977 | ||||||||||||
| MBRS shelflist: RXA 1083-1085 | |||||||||||||
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Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20815 Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20816 Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20817 |
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| 3 audiotape reel, 7 in. | |||||||||||||
| Part 1 of a 3-part recording of traditional Lithuanian music by the Pakstas Ensemble; Balys Pakstas, Vincas Vaitkus, Liubomiras Bichnevicius, birbyne (Lithuanian aerophone), and Ruta Pakstas, kankles (Lithuanian chordophone); unnamed song; unnamed song (recordings starts with song in progress); repeat selection; "Softly, softly, Nemunas Flows" ("Tykiai, tykiai Nemunelis Plaukia"); unnamed song; repeat selection; song fragments; unnamed song. Part 2 of a 3-part recording of traditional Lithuanian music by the Pakstas Ensemble; Balys Pakstas, Vincas Vaitkus, Liubomiras Bichnevicius, birbyne (Lithuanian aerophone), and Ruta Pakstas, kankles (Lithuanian chordophone); "Lopsine" (lullaby); repeat selection twice; unnamed song (recording begins with song in progress), fragments are played; repeat selection; "Run Along Furrows" ("Bekit Bareliai"); "A Boat Sails" ("Plaukia sau laivelis"); "Precious Lithuania" (notes state "Lithuania, My Country"; in Lithuanian "Lietuva brangi, mano tevyne"); "I Stand, Leaning" ("Stoviu as parymus"); "Cuckoo Bird, Fly on Home" ("Gegutele"); repeat selection; "A Call is Going Out From Vilnius" ("Eina. garsas nuo pat Vilniaus"); "Song Without Words" ("Daina be zodziu"), Svedas; repeat selection; "You, My Mother" ("Tu mano motinele"), arranged by Zdanius; song fragments. Part 3 of a 3-part recording of traditional Lithuanian music by the Pakstas Ensemble; Balys Pakstas, Vincas Vaitkus, Liubomiras Bichnevicius, birbyne (Lithuanian aerophone), and Ruta Pakstas, kankles (Lithuanian chordophone); "Precious Lithuania" (notes state "Lithuania, My Country"; in Lithuanian "Lietuva brangi, mano tevyne", arranged by Navjelis; repeat selection; same selection, third stanza played through twice; repeat selection; "Nemunelis" featuring kankles, played twice; kankles player Ruta Pakstas comments on her preferences in music. | |||||||||||||
| Tape ID: AFC 1981/004: AFS 20818A - AFS 20819B | Interview with Kazys Bartašius, Lithuanian American weaver, Chicago, Illinois, part 1-4, April 28, 1977 | ||||||||||||
| MBRS shelflist: RYA 0813-0814 | |||||||||||||
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Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20818a Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20818b Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20819a Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20819b |
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| 4 audiocassette, C-60 | |||||||||||||
| Part 1-4 of a 4-part interview in Lithuanian with weaver Kazys Bartasius, recorded at Mr. Bartasius home, 6229 S. Campbell; the interview was conducted in Bartasius's basement workshop and covers biographical information, his learning of weaving skills; how he makes his looms; and about the demand for his work in the Lithuanian community. | |||||||||||||
| Tape ID: AFC 1981/004: AFS 20820A | Elena Bradunas interviewed by Algimantas Kezys on Chicago's Lithuanian American television, Channel 26, Chicago, Illinois, May 05, 1977 | ||||||||||||
| MBRS shelflist: RYA 0815 | |||||||||||||
| Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20820a | |||||||||||||
| audiocassette, C-60 | |||||||||||||
| Elena Bradunas interviewed in Lithuanian by Algimantas Kezys on Lithuanian TV Channel 26; the discussion concerns the Chicago Ethnic Arts Project and ethnic folklife in general. | |||||||||||||
| Tape ID: AFC 1981/004: AFS 20821A | Interviews with Aldona Veselka, Lithuanian American weaver; interview with Emilija Pakštas, Lithuanian American community organizer, Chicago, Illinois, part 1, June 06, 1977 | ||||||||||||
| MBRS shelflist: RYA 0816 | |||||||||||||
| Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20821a | |||||||||||||
| audiocassette, C-60 | |||||||||||||
| Interview in Lithuanian with weaver Aldona Veselka, at her home, 6531 South Washtenaw; discussion of ways that the Illinois Arts Council could support the Lithuanian American arts in Chicago, duration about 6:30 minutes; followed by part 1 of a 2-part interview in Lithuanian with Emilija Pakstas, Lithuanian American community organizer and daughter of Balys Pasktas (in other project interviews); the two parts of the interview concern Emilija Pakstas's own musical career, involvement with the Lithuanian Opera, her work with Lithuanian American youth in schools, camps, organizations, etc.; duration about 24 minutes. | |||||||||||||
| Tape ID: AFC 1981/004: AFS 20821B | Interview with Emilija Pakštas, Lithuanian American community organizer, Chicago, Illinois, part 2, June 10, 1977 | ||||||||||||
| MBRS shelflist: RYA 0816 | |||||||||||||
| Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20821b | |||||||||||||
| audiocassette, C-60 | |||||||||||||
| Part 2 of a 2-part interview in Lithuanian with Emilija Pakstas, Lithuanian American community organizer and daughter of Balys Pasktas (in other project interviews), the two parts of the interview concern Emilija Pakstas's own musical career, involvement with the Lithuanian Opera, her work with Lithuanian American youth in schools, camps, organizations, etc. | |||||||||||||
| Tape ID: AFC 1981/004: AFS 20822A - AFS 20823B | Interview with Lithuanian American kankles maker Kvirinas Ruminas, performances by his daughter Dana Ruminas, Chicago, Illinois, part 1-4, June 07, 1977 | ||||||||||||
| MBRS shelflist: RYA 0817-0818 | |||||||||||||
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Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20822a Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20822b Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20823a Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20823b |
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| 4 audiocassette, C-60 | |||||||||||||
| Part 1-4 of a 4-part interview in Lithuanian with Kvirinas Runimas and performances on kankles (Lithuanian chordophone) by his daughter, Dana Runimas, recorded at the Runimas home; the 4-part discussion concerns their family history and Kvirinas Runimas's interest in making kankles with his own modifications; Dana Runimas performs a few songs and discusses her reasons for taking up the instrument. | |||||||||||||
| Tape ID: AFC 1981/004: AFS 20824 | Performances of Lithuanian music on kankles, guitar, and voice by Dana Runimas, Chicago, Illinois, June 08, 1977 | ||||||||||||
| MBRS shelflist: RXA 1086 | |||||||||||||
| Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20824 | |||||||||||||
| audiotape reel, 7 in. | |||||||||||||
| Performances of Lithuanian music on kankles, guitar, and voice by Dana Runimas, the luthier is her father Kvirinas Runimas; unnamed song; kankles solo; unnamed song; song fragments; unnamed songs and song fragment; Dana Runimas discusses her reasons for playing; unnamed song on guitar; "A Folksong" (Christmas carol, featuring voice and guitar, sung in Spanish), unnamed song, also sung in Spanish; unnamed song, guitar and voice, sung in Lithuanian; "Red River Valley," guitar and voice, sung in Lithuanian. | |||||||||||||
| Tape ID: AFC 1981/004: AFS 20825A - AFS 20825B | Interview with Stase Tallat-Kelpša, Lithuanian American knitter, Chicago, Illinois, part 1-2, June 08, 1977 | ||||||||||||
| MBRS shelflist: RYA 0819 | |||||||||||||
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Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20825a Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20825b |
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| 2 audiocassette, C-60 | |||||||||||||
| Part 1-2 of a 2-part interview in Lithuanian with fabric artist Stase Tallat-Kelpsa in her home, 6919 South California; the two parts cover crocheting (and knitting) clothing and decorative pieces with Lithuanian designs; Stase Tallat-Kelpsa's biography, how her interest in textile folk art began while she was still in Lithuania, her reasons for continuing with the craft in America. | |||||||||||||
| Tape ID: AFC 1981/004: AFS 20826A - AFS 20829B | Interview with Paulina Barauskas about early Lithuanian immigrants to Chicago and performances of Lithuanian folk songs, Chicago, Illinois, part 1-6, June 07, 1977; June 09, 1977 | ||||||||||||
| MBRS shelflist: RYA 0820-0823 | |||||||||||||
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Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20826a Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20826b Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20827a Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20828 Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20829a Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20829b |
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| 6 audiocassette, C-60 | |||||||||||||
| Part 1-6 of a 6-part interview together with performances of song, primarily in Lithuanian, with and by 90-year-old Paulina Barauskas (Barauskiene), recorded at her home 732 W, 19th St.; the fieldworker's notes describe Mrs. Barauskas as a long-time resident of the Bridgeport neighborhood, although this address is in the Lower West Side, just north of Bridgeport; Mrs. Barauskas's daughter is present for part of the interview; during the six parts of this series, Mrs. Barauskas sings old Lithuanian folk songs, reminisces about community activities among the Lithuanian immigrants who came to Chicago before World War I, and especially about drama clubs; the fieldworker's notes leaves some confusion about sequence and recording dates; parts 5 and 6 may have been the first recorded on 7 June 1977, with parts 1 through 4 recorded on 9 June 1977. | |||||||||||||
| Tape ID: AFC 1981/004: AFS 20830 - AFS 20831 | Performances of Lithuanian folk songs and conversation with Paulina Barauskas, Chicago, Illinois, part 1-2, June 09, 1977 | ||||||||||||
| MBRS shelflist: RXA 1087-1088 | |||||||||||||
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Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20830 Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20831 |
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| 2 audiotape reel, 7 in. | |||||||||||||
| Part 1 of a 2-part recording session with performances of song and related conversation, primarily in Lithuanian, by 90-year-old Paulina Barauskas (Barauskiene), recorded at her home 732 W, 19th St.; in some selections, an unidentified male voice joins for duets; selections of music (interspersed with conversation) include an unnamed song performed twice; four unnamed songs; three unnamed duets, joined by male voice. Part 2 of a 2-part recording session with performances of song and related conversation, primarily in Lithuanian, by 90-year-old Paulina Barauskas (Barauskiene), recorded at her home 732 W, 19th St.; in some selections, an unidentified male voice and an unidentified third voice join for certain selections; selections of music (interspersed with conversation) include duet with male voice; three unnamed songs; unnamed song sung by trio; unnamed song; unnamed duet with male voice; two unnamed songs; duet with female voices; unnamed song. | |||||||||||||
| Tape ID: AFC 1981/004: AFS 20832A - AFS 20832B | Interview with Antanas Poskocimas, Lithuanian American woodcarver, in English, Chicago, Illinois, part 1-2, June 09, 1977 | ||||||||||||
| MBRS shelflist: RYA 0824 | |||||||||||||
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Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20832a Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20832b |
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| 2 audiocassette, C-60 | |||||||||||||
| Part 1-2 of a 2-part interview in English with woodworker Antanas Poskocimas at his home, 6354 South Rockwell, Chicago 60629; the interviewed was conducted by Chicago Sun-Times reporter Donald M. Schwartz, who was interested in Mr. Poskocimas's biography and his reason for carrying on with his craft. | |||||||||||||
| Tape ID: AFC 1981/004: AFS 20833 - AFS 20836 | Recording of Lithuanian American wedding reception at Pakštas Hall, Chicago, Illinois, part 1-4, June 26, 1977 | ||||||||||||
| MBRS shelflist: RXA 1089-1092 | |||||||||||||
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Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20833 Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20834 Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20835 Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20836 |
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| 4 audiotape reel, 7 in. | |||||||||||||
| Part 1 of a 4-part recording of the wedding reception of Emilja Pakstas and Romas Sakadolskis, a Lithuanian American couple, at Pakstas Hall, 2801 West 38th St.; virtually all the remarks and vocal music is in Lithuanian; the acoustically difficult setting yields recordings of moderate-to-low quality; selections in this part include remarks by a single male speaker; the Azuolas Stelmokas Band plays "The March for the Bride and Groom" (drums and organ), crowd applauds; unnamed polka; speech of welcome by Balys Pakstas, father of the bride; introduces the masters of ceremonies, Mr. Slajus and Vanda Stankus; Vanda introduces the wedding of the wreath," a drinking ceremony; Mr. Slajus, the matchmaker, gives a speech in Lithuanian upland dialect, and invites the priest, Father Vaisnys, S.J., to give a prayer; the priest prays, followed by greetings and jokes; Mr. Slajus invites everyone to fill their glasses and get ready for toasts; the song "Long Life," a wish for a long and fertile life; Vanda Sankus makes remarks, telegrams from overseas are read; Balys Pakstas introduces a 99-year-old artist named Varnas, who reads a note; Vanda Stankus displays Varnas's portrait of the bride, which includes a violin and kankles; Vanda Stankus introduces the groom; Romas Sakadolskis thanks the parents of the bride, his mother, and concludes with a wish that his life will be like that of the artist and his wife; Vanda Stankus introduces the first dance for the bride and groom, the "Newlywed's Waltz." Part 2 of a 4-part recording of the wedding reception of Emilja Pakstas and Romas Sakadolskis, a Lithuanian American couple, at Pakstas Hall, 2801 West 38th St.; virtually all the remarks and vocal music is in Lithuanian; the acoustically difficult setting yields recordings of moderate-to-low quality; selections in this part include medley of waltzes that includes "The Newlywed's Waltz" and "Flows the Little Boat"; "Tango of the Roses" introduced by master of ceremonies Vanda Stankus, with vocal; unnamed song (foxtrot) accompanied by sccordion, organ, drums, and guitar, male voice and much crowd noise; "La Paloma" as a polka; unnamed tango featuring guitar; "Beer Barrel Polka"; "Whatever Roads I Travel," a popular song from 1967 or 1968, of German origin, sung in Lithuanian; "My Little One" tango sung by Vanda Stankus; "Never on Sunday" with altered lyrics. Part 3 of a 4-part recording of the wedding reception of Emilja Pakstas and Romas Sakadolskis, a Lithuanian American couple, at Pakstas Hall, 2801 West 38th St.; virtually all the remarks and vocal music is in Lithuanian; the acoustically difficult setting yields recordings of moderate-to-low quality; selections in this part include "Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown" (recording picks up song in progress); unnamed dance medley, going from a two-step to a tango; the bringing in of the dowry chest, Vanda Stankus invites the relatives (mother) to take the wreath off, and to put on the marriage headdress; "Oh Mother, You Raised Your Daughter Not For Yourself," with Balys Pakstas playing birbyne, Vanda Stankus leads the singing; "I Planted Myself a Green Rue, Darling You Will Be Mine, Mine," call and response song, part of the reception ritual; unnamed folk song by Vanda Stankus in Lithuanian dialect; inspection of the dowry and of the bride's worksmanship, response in the form of wolf whistles; a patterned, traditional oration; the bride gives presents of her own handiwork to her in-laws; the matchmaker comes in and, a ritual play, is attacked, much crowd noise; the matchmaker, Mr. Slajus, defends himself; the dowry is taken away; "The Dawn Will Start Breaking," a Lithuanian folk song in waltz tempo, sung by the attendees; tango medley; the attendees sing, Balys Pakstas sings. Part 4 of a 4-part recording of the wedding reception of Emilja Pakstas and Romas Sakadolskis, a Lithuanian American couple, at Pakstas Hall, 2801 West 38th St.; virtually all the remarks and vocal music is in Lithuanian; the acoustically difficult setting yields recordings of moderate-to-low quality; selections in this part include singing at the tables, mostly female harmonizing; unnamed spontaneous song with male and female voices; "Turn, Turn the Circle" with Vanda Stankus singing and talking; a polka-variation of a folk dance is led by Vanda Stankus; she tells the groom."goodbye" as the dance is in progress and a human tunnel is formed for the bride and groom to crawl through; this music is a lengthy medley of waltzes and polkas; "Kiss Me Hotly" sung by Petros (?) in Italian; "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree" sung in English; "Spanish Eyes"; "Proud Mary." | |||||||||||||
| Tape ID: AFC 1981/004: AFS 20837A - AFS 20838B | Interview with Mr. and Mrs. Vilius Variakojis, Lithuanian American woodcarver and textile artist, Chicago, Illinois, part 1-4, July 12, 1977 | ||||||||||||
| MBRS shelflist: RYA 0825-0826 | |||||||||||||
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Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20837a Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20837b Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20838a Digital content available: afc1981004_afs20838b |
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| 4 audiocassette, C-60 | |||||||||||||
| Part 1 of a 4-part interview in Lithuanian with Mr. and Mrs. Vilius and Bronislava Variakojis, recorded at their home at 6919 South California, adjacent to Marquette Park; he is a woodcarver and model maker, including the creation of miniature models of Lithuanian farmsteads; she is a fabric artist, whose work includes embroidering textiles with Lithuanian folk motifs; the basement of their home is a personal museum in which they display their work; part 1 is with Bronislava Variakojis and topics include discussing her embroidery patterns and the development of her interest in the craft, some patterns were drawn by her husband, she makes place mats, "only in America," for a craft fair (Kazuiko Muge, English Kaziukas fair), organized by Lithuanian scouts in Chicago; about the influence of the Tamosaitas family on developing respect for Lithuanian folk patterns; Bronislava Variakojis's aesthetic has changed, new appreciation for folk patterns, "they are uniquely our own"; about Girl Scouts and their interest in crafts, they seem to prefer non-Lithuanian expression, e.g., clowndolls; in general most craft items are made by adults while youngsters sell them at the fair; about learning from her mother who died at 97, has an heirloom from her mother; Bronislava Variakojis has three tablecloths brought from Lithuania, everything she made; about leaving Lithuania, done in haste, though it only temporary, she was in Dresden during the U.S. bombing of that city; refugee story continues in part 2. Part 2 of a 4-part interview in Lithuanian with Mr. and Mrs. Vilius and Bronislava Variakojis, recorded at their home at 6919 South California, adjacent to Marquette Park; he is a woodcarver and model maker, including the creation of miniature models of Lithuanian farmsteads; she is a fabric artist, whose work includes embroidering textiles with Lithuanian folk motifs; the basement of their home is a personal museum in which they display their work; part 2 begins with Bronislava Variakojis; refugee story continued from part 1; about DP (Displaced Persons) camps, then to the U.S. via New Orleans, met by nuns and an orchestra; first impressions of America, dirty, depressing; in Chicago, Marquette Park seemed rural; husband Vilius Variakojis got a job with [Behardt's ?] construction, carried bricks, exploited as a DP, no overtime, cheated, later got a job at the Campbell Soup Co., Bronislava Variakojis worked in a shoe factory, paid as piece work, low pay; "without the language, what can you do"; she also taught piano to Lithuanian children in Bridgeport, about 50 students over time; "I was always shy and afraid to look for other jobs"; retired in the 1960s; recap Vilius Variakojis's jobs: Behardt's, Campbell Soup, railroads as a mechanic, maintenance man at Wilson's; about Vilius Variakojis's woodcarving, symbolic value of folk art, if everyone had remained in Lithuania, the same appreciation would not have developed; lack of interest in these crafts among young people, adults ready to pass on to apprentices but few come forward; Bronislava Variakojis notes that some recent publications from Lithuania offer images of excellent textile patterns; at this point, Vilius Variakojis arrives and joins the conversation; he talks about carving in Lithuania, decorated rakes, given to girls; he learned how to make carved wooden chains from his grandfather;, in Lithuanial, he lived in an old homestead with linden and oak trees, but has heard from relatives recently who report that where the lindens grew, now only wheatfields sway and pigs graze; Vilius Variakojis wrote down his family history as dictated by his illiterate grandfather; comments on the family surname, surgery, copper (varis) pin in foot gave rise to the name of a veteran ancestor; his grandfather fought in the czar's army in the Russo-Japanese War; Vilius Variakojis has some knowledge of Latvian, Russian, Ukrainian, German, and Polish; he knew no English when he came to the U.S., learned numbers by listening to the bus driver call out street names; studied English at night at Englewood High School for 3 years, prepared him to pass his U.S. citizenship test; he has been called Willie, Bill, and William in English. Part 3 of a 4-part interview in Lithuanian with Mr. and Mrs. Vilius and Bronislava Variakojis, recorded at their home at 6919 South California, adjacent to Marquette Park; he is a woodcarver and model maker, including the creation of miniature models of Lithuanian farmsteads; she is a fabric artist, whose work includes embroidering textiles with Lithuanian folk motifs; the basement of their home is a personal museum in which they display their work; topics include discussion of Vilius and Variakojis's models of Lithuanian building and farmsteads, says "I make them for young people, to show them what the Lithuanian countryside looked like"; scouts in Lithuania are different from those in the U.S., there, they rough camped, hiked, unlike the pampered scouts in the U.S.; U.S. scouts do woodcraft and textiles, not done in Lithuania; carving wooden chain links came from his grandfather; when Vilius Variakojis got to Germany as a DP (Displaced Person) there was no time to carve, he has taken this up in his retirement, there is nothing else to do, he does not drink and does not got to taverns, his wife wants him to stay out of the kitchen; discusses trees, the Paradise Tree, the Golden Apple tree, had thought this a folktale but recently learned it is known in Greek mythology; then discussion of carved wooden objects; towel racks, in the museum, made in Lithuania by others, may hang near doorways with water, may be used for decoration; black trees, priest's hell, motif related to tar kettles in hell; world tree with stars; about other items, something with form of a cube, spoons, utensils, he is looking for horns the convert into drinking horns; Vilius Variakojis discusses why he does this craftwork, "I want to leave something behind"; he has written a will, to bring things back to Lithuania, he hopes "free" Lithuania, no longer oppressed; about the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture in Chicago but Vilius Variakojis demurs, it is too possessive, wants to donate in a way that gives to all Lithuanians; discussion of exhibiting his work, one attempt had not worked, hence the museum in his home; some of his farmstead models were made from memory, some from photographs; grandchildren do not show any special appreciation; additional comments on Balzekas museum, includes some inauthentic items; about windmills, very prominent in Lithuania'a Birzai region; Vilius Variakojis plans to do some writing later, after his hands can no longer work wood; about Lithuanian coins, books; about assembling his museum, what might its future be; comment about real estate taxes, their house has higher tax because across the street from Marquette Park. Part 4 of a 4-part interview in Lithuanian with Mr. and Mrs. Vilius and Bronislava Variakojis, recorded at their home at 6919 South California, adjacent to Marquette Park; he is a woodcarver and model maker, including the creation of miniature models of Lithuanian farmsteads; she is a fabric artist, whose work includes embroidering textiles with Lithuanian folk motifs; the basement of their home is a personal museum in which they display their work; topics include comment by fieldworker Jonas Dovydenas, offering a black walnut carving for the museum; Vilius Variakojis discusses carving of Christ in a boat with the apostles, he is interested in both themes, those that relate to hell and the devil and those that feature positive aspects of relgion; comment, "Sun and beauty, one cannot hide"; about how he remembers tales told by his father and grandfather, both are Protestants; his wife belongs to another Lithuanian Protestant denomination; Protestantism in Lithuania goes back to the Reformation; about how Vilius Variakojis prefers not to carve crucifixes, the cross is a symbol of death; discussion of religion; the carving of Christ in the boat is related to a hymn that Bronislava Variakojis sings. | |||||||||||||
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