In the district of Panevėžy, where the sister library is located, is the small town called Naujamiestis. It is known for its impressive “Art Gallery” where they nurture local customs and develop new traditions.
One of them is creating a straw sculptures. The project called „Above the grass, below the sky“ has become traditional as it has been there for 15 years. These straw sculptures join together like-minded people for creativity and bring straw to new life. Themes of sculptures range from improvised fairy tales to musical instruments and the struggle to preserve trees.
When a cloudy and rainy autumn arrives, usually in November, the citizens organize a ritual called ” The Secret of Fire”. Visitors, usually up to 3,000, gather for recitals, dancing and music. The highlight of the evening is the burning of straw sculptures, which symbolizes the ephemerality of everything on earth.