“Mano migracijos istorija” (My migration story) – event organized by Lithuanian National Museum Istoriju Namai

September 16, 2023

Merienda – Filipiniečių Užkandžiai/ Filipino snacks was invited by the Lithuanian National Museum Istoriju Namai, located at  T. Kosciuškos str. 3, Vilnius, Lithuania, to participate in organizing the migration storytelling festival “My Migration Story” this year. For the third time, the Festival of Migration Stories will invite participants and visitors to delve into the experiences of migration. The festival is an integral part of the Fair of Nations (Tautų Mugė). Since various national communities have been living in Vilnius for a long time, everyone is invited to become part of the festival and present their culture through music, food, and history. The concept of the activity is that national communities become hosts and present themselves through food, games, stories or other activities.

Merienda – Filipiniečių Užkandžiai/ Filipino snacks was invited to be part of the festival, to introduce the Philippine culture, music, art, history and especially food to the visitors that day, during its “Living Room” event, which was held from 13:00 to 15:00. Full program in this link (https://lnm.lt/en/events/festival-of-stories-my-migration-story-2/?fbclid=IwAR1gxDC8S1DhoYHoydmoefz5tgjeJHOaDbRZNQcdmGMhN42OfDNlwXjuzvo). However, this was made possible by Ms. Milda Varnauskaitė, a famous storyteller, who is not only famous in Lithuania, but also in other European countries, such as Norway, Sweden, Netherlands and Germany. Her recommendation paved a way for Merienda to be invited to this event. Thank you so much Milda! You are such an inspiration!

An article was written about this event by LRT.lt and published here: https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/kultura/12/2076982/istoriju-namuose-treciasis-istoriju-pasakojimo-festivalis-sildys-pokalbiai-ir-sriuba?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3WYQ0VMyka_19cDBDGLJRB12DMHnhQ_SB5Ci-13vSoyWRz5jP0I7lSidM_aem_-5dPpBAc7ud_Dhy2iB9Bww

I consider this as my major event in 2023 and one that I am truly proud of. For two hours (13:00-15:00-Living Room Event), during this free educational event, I showcased Filipino-made crafts, some of them I brought from the Philippines, and I brought Filipino snacks such as dried mangoes, boy bawang, ube and langka candies, and stik-o with different flavors. I made a jeepney photo frame for the participants, and a bahay kubo (nipa hut) backdrop. Most importantly, I introduced my lengua de gato cookies in 6 different flavors – ube, coconut-pandan, classic vanilla, chocolate, mango and coffee – (cat’s tongue cookies/ katiniuku liežuvis sausainiai), which was a hit for adults and children alike. I made coconut-pandan and mango tapioca drinks for all the participants as well. The visitors I have met came back many times to take more cookies, boy bawang, stik-o and drinks. Participants showed great interest towards the Filipino culture, crafts and food, and some even tried the game of “sipa” (which means to “to kick“).

It was a very successful event, and because of that I was invited again by the same museum this November 22, 2023 to the opening of their exhibition. They happily ordered my assorted lengua de gato cookies (https://meriendainlithuania.com/product-category/cookies/) and cupcakes – ube, pandan, yema (with coffee/salted caramel), tropical (jackfruit, mango, pineapple), and strawberry (https://meriendainlithuania.com/product-category/cupcakes/), which will be catered during the exhibition opening. They also interviewed me and documented my migration story to Lithuania. The video and photos will be released and added to the museum archives in November 2023 (https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=307517028695387&set=a.128486573265101). More about this event in future posts.

Photo credits: FOTO Studija MannazPavel StudijaMannaz

Shirts and Mug – Saulitos siuvinėta

Filipino products – Filipino Shopping and PinoyLt

Here are some of the photos during that event: