Forms of ethnic culture activities in non-formal education of Lithuania

Abstract

In the European documents, non-formal education of children and the youth is given a high priority by highlighting the opportunities offered to a person to become an active member of the society, successfully function in the society, and to help satisfy oneís personal needs for knowledge and self-expression. Non-formal education is much more appealing to children and youth than formal learning. It is a purposeful activity that helps a child to acquire competences which would help him or her become a conscious personality that would be able to solve personal problems responsibly and creatively and actively function in society, adapt to the changing environment (Ruškus, Živirdauskas, Stanišauskienė 2009: 185). Various forms of activities of ethnic culture allow children and the youth to cognize, take over our nationís traditions and customs, form their national identity and the values of nationalism and patriotism, compose an image of the nationís cultural integrity.