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Eastland Waters: Melody, Verse, and Lithuanian Legacy in Chicago
Description
Join us as we journey into the heart of early 20th century Chicago, turning back the hands of time to explore the life and culture of the largest Lithuanian community outside of Lithuania. The raw beauty of Lithuanian folk music, performed by the group Žalvarinis/Robertas Semeniukas sets the stage for our exploration - a poignant reminder of the resilience of this community. We'll take a walk through the forgotten streets of Chicago, unearthing hidden narratives and painting a vivid picture of a rich and diverse culture.
In the shadow of the thriving Lithuanian community, however, lies the haunting echoes of the Eastland Disaster of 1915. This tragedy, which claimed numerous Lithuanian lives, serves as a grim backdrop for our story today. Sifting through primary sources like early newspapers and obituaries, we begin to grasp the depth of this catastrophe. We share the challenges faced in identifying Lithuanian victims and the heartbreaking stories of young lives brutally cut short.
As we wind down our journey, we close with Eastland Waters, a poem by Agnes Lee which is a fictional dialogue between Eastland victims Niels, Mary and Anna.
Music (used by permission)
Žalvarinis - Kabice (Ko neskridai bitela)
Music: Robertas Semeniukas
Lyrics: Traditional, Žalvarinis
Other Links and Resources
- "Eastland Waters." Agnes Lee. Poetry Magazine, Chicago. February 1916
- Sinclair, Upton. "The Jungle". Project Gutenberg, 2006
- Illinois Newspapers Collection
- Book website: https://www.flowerintheriver.com/
- Substack: https://nataliezett.substack.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-z-87092b15/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zettnatalie/
- YouTube: Flower in the River - A Family Tale Finally Told - YouTube
- Medium: Natalie Zett – Medium
- The opening/closing song is Twilight by 8opus
- Other music. Artlist