In 1968, on the initiative of the school teacher Valerija Rimkienė and her students an exposition dedicated to Maironis was mounted in the homeland of the poet. On 29th May 1982, the first event named ‘The Seventeenth Poetry Spring’ was held there to mark the 120th anniversary year of the poet’s birth. Special attention to Maironis was paid in 1987 when the 125th anniversary of the poet’s birth was celebrated. Near the substructure of Maironis’ manor house recited poet’s verses were heard and speeches were made. In the path section between two places precious to Maironis, his birthplace in Pasandravis, and his home in Bernotai, 125 oak trees were planted by the guests of the event. The anniversary years of Maironis’ birth are celebrated at the place every five years with musical editions of Maironis‘ texts and poems. In 1995, the 100th anniversary of the collection of Maironis’ poems ‘Pavasario balsai’ (The Voices of Spring) was marked. During the period of Lithuanian revival, the interest in Maironis, his personality, and in the home environment of the poet increased. Since 1988, on the first Saturday of each month, regular events named ‘Maironis’ Hours’ took place at the venue. On 27th August 1988, the first meeting of the Reform Movement of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Persitvarkymo Sąjūdis) was organized at Maironis’ birthplace. In the summer of 1989, the territory and buildings of Maironis’ birthplace and his native place were assigned to Raseiniai Region History Museum, and in 1990, Pasandravis cultural and historical reserve was established. In 1989, an exposition in a rebuilt Maironis’ sister’s Kotryna’s residential house was mounted, and Bernotai cross, re-erected in the same year, was sanctified. Then, the idea of setting up crosses and pillar-type chapels in Pasandravis cultural and historical reserve was first mooted. In the summer of 1991, during the festival at Maironis’ native place, 10 oak crosses and wooden pillar-type chapels were sanctified. Nowadays, a plethora of traditional events, public poetry recitations, and concerts take place at Maironis’ native land.
On 27th August 1988, the first meeting of the Reform Movement of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Persitvarkymo Sąjūdis) was organized in Raseiniai district. It was organized in Pasandravis. At that time, Maironis’ birthplace and native land were announced as Pasandravis cultural and historical reserve. It was also decided to establish Maironis museum, to construct a monument, and to rename the street leading to Maironis’ native land into Maironis street again. Thirty years later, on 27th August 2018, Raseiniai Region History Museum invited people of Raseiniai land to attend the rally ‘Hearts were brought to life and naturalized…’ (Lithuanian: Atgijo širdys. Prigijo…) in support of the Reform Movement of Lithuania, and to commemorate the 30th anniversary year of the first meeting of the Movement. (The photos by Domas Katkauskas and Vitalijus Judickas)
In 1995, the 100th anniversary of the collection of Maironis’ poems ‘The Voices of Spring’ (Lithuanian: Pavasario balsai) was commemorated. Antanas Juška, the Lithuanian honorary member of regional studies from Betygala, mentioned that the collection of Maironis’ poems was as the Holy Scripture we gained wisdom, and fostered our spirits from. During that time, the participants and laureates of the event named ‘The Poetry Spring of 1995’ gathered converged on Maironis’ native land. The event is celebrated at the place every five years when special anniversaries of Maironis’ life events are marked.
Since 2003, the unique choral festival ‘We perform for Maironis’ (Lithuanian: Dainuojam Maironiui) has been taking place at Maironis’ native place. On the substructure of the poet’s manor house, among mighty autumnal maple trees, fine voices of more than 200 choristers can be heard.
The picturesque setting of Jonas Mačiulis Maironis’ native place is well-liked among local people and visitors from Lithuania. The poet’s native land is often chosen as the venue for unique Lithuanian Literature lessons, for reciting verses, or for excellent concerts and performances since the timeless spirit of the poet casts the certain glamour over both the performers and the audience. The photographs depict the festival of creative churchmen ‘The Blossom of the Soul’ (Lithuanian: Sielų žydėjimai) (Year 2012), the poetry festival ‘Maironis Returns’ (Lithuanian: Maironis sugrįžta) (Year 2012), and the events of International Museum Night.
Since 1987, the anniversary years of Maironis’ birth have been celebrated at the poet’s native land every five years with Maironis’ poems and musical editions of Maironis‘ texts given by massed choirs of performers. Kaunas State Choir, ‘Ąžuoliukas’ Choir, ‘Polifonija’ Choir, and other choirs sang in Pasandravis on several occasions. Maironis’ verses were recited by famous Lithuanian actors such as Laimonas Noreika, Tomas Vaisieta, Ramūnas Abukevičius, Egidijus Stancikas, Virginija Kochanskytė, or Petras Venslova.
