Lukenskai House is set in the beautiful surroundings of the Ukmergė district, among mature forests close to the River Šventoji. It was created by members of the Lukenskas family, who developed it as a business to provide tourism services. Educational events and sampling take place here, along with seminars, lessons, lectures and cookery courses.
Rūta (a teacher trainer and biochemist), who has delved very deeply into old national traditions, has lots of experience in preparing food, such as ancient methods of drying, pickling, baking, smoking and salting. ‘Calendar Dishes’ shows how house-bound Lithuanians, who lived in difficult climatic conditions, managed to stay in harmony with nature’s internal rhythms, the peasant work cycle, and holidays. Rūta presents the yearly cycle, which depends on the movements of the moon and the sun, in her educational programmes. She shows the importance of seasonal cuisine in a healthy diet, its economic aspects, and how it benefits the environment. ‘Calendar Dishes’ takes place in a cellar, a vegetable patch, a garden, and greenhouses. Rūta also organises festive events, and special forays into nature.
Česlovas (an artist and associate professor) presents his work in the private CHESIUX Gallery, puts on exhibitions and performances, and organises educational and practical activities, plein airs and camps. He devotes much time to working with wood, metal and other materials, and has set up a workshop complete with tools and machines.
There is an outdoor stage at Lukenskai House, where summer concerts and film screenings are held. Camps are organised in the grounds, as well as plein airs and the EXI festival, devoted to actors and performers who are just setting out in the musical arts and learning.
Lukenskai House offers premises for large events without accommodation, and for small events with accommodation. Guests can use the sauna, which is beside a pond, the summer house, outdoor furniture, camp fire, smoker and barbecue. There is a site for camper vans and tents in secure and beautiful surroundings. There is also a shop where you can buy works of art, souvenirs and food products.
You can find Lukenskai House at: Ateities street 1, Kultuvėnai village, Vepriai eldership, Ukmergė district. You must register in advance if you intend to visit:
+370 682 44627, +370 614 37721, ruta.lukenskiene@gmail.com, ceslovas.lukenskas@gmail.com.
The article is part of the project “Promotion of innovative tourism in Ukmergė by improving the skills of employees and online marketing service systems.” The project is implemented with funding from the Agency for Science, Innovation, and Technology.
