„Dvasios pakilimo dienos“: Lietuvos valstybės švenčių transformacijos 1918–1940 metais

Abstract

The article is reviewing the history of state holidays of Republic of Lithuanian in 1918-1940. The analysis of Legal acts of the Republic of Lithuania in 1918-1940, reveals the transformation of meaning of some of the state holidays in the 1930s. The history of the Lithuanian state holiday regulation reveals the development of the Lithuanian political thought. It shows that when political circumstances change, attempts were made to change the meaning of state holidays and to adapt them to the needs of the political regime. The brightest transformation was experienced on May 15th. In 1920s the May 15th was celebrated as the Day of Constituent Assembly and symbolized values of democracy and parliamentarism. After the coup d’état in December 17th of 1926, the state holiday Mai 15th became a reproach to the authoritarian regime of the President Antanas Smetona. This state holiday symbolized the conflict between the President and the parliament of the Republic, also denial of democracy and violation of the constitution. Therefore the 15th of May became the Day of military and social gathering instead the Day of Constituent Assembly.