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Baltic neopaganism is a category of autochthonous religious movements which have revitalised within the Baltic people (primarily Lithuanians and Latvians).[1][2][3] These movements trace their origins back to the 19th century and they were suppressed under the Soviet Union; after its fall they have witnessed a blossoming alongside the national and cultural identity reawakening of the Baltic peoples, both in their homelands and among expatriate Baltic communities, with close ties to conservation movements.[4] One of the first ideologues of the revival was the Prussian Lithuanian poet and philosopher Vydūnas.[2]
During the Pope Francis's visit to the Baltic states in 2018 the Dievturība and Romuva movements sent a joint letter to Pope Francis calling him to urge fellow Christians "to respect our own religious choice and cease impeding our efforts to achieve national recognition of the ancient Baltic faith".[5] The movements have said that they dislike the usage of the term "pagan" as it is "loaded with centuries of prejudice and persecution".[6]
- ^ Muktupāvels 2005, p. 762.
- ^ a b Wiench 1995
- ^ Monika Hanley (October 28, 2010). Baltic diaspora and the rise of Neo-Paganism. The Baltic Times. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
- ^ Naylor, Aliide (31 May 2019). "Soviet power gone, Baltic countries' historic pagan past re-emerges". Religion News Service. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
- ^ "Baltic pagans ask pope for help over religious status battle". France 24. 21 August 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
- ^ Svete, Aliide Naylor. "The rituals of Paganism are making a comeback deep in the Baltic states".