Merry Christmas or Linksmų Kalėdų! See Ursula Astras’ handmade straw ornaments
Frederik Meijer Gardens opened its annual University of Michigan Health-West: Christmas and Holiday Traditions exhibition. Meijer Gardens’ theme this year focuses on the honoring cultures and holiday traditions from around the world—has grown to 46 unique displays depicting fact and folklore, past and present, so the Lithuanian Christmas tree with Ursula Astras’ handmade ornaments is getting a prominent spot in front of the desert gardens.
Astras family nieces decorate Lithuanian Christmas tree
Don Astras’ nieces, Elizabeth Geshel and her sister Katrina Meyers, had the honor of decorating the Lithuanian Christmas tree at Meijer Gardens. Each ornament was delicately assembled out of wheat or rye straw. It was an honor for the nieces because their Močiutė (grandmother) was the artist who handmade almost every ornament.
Straw Art Workshops held
November 18 – Straw Ornament Making at Chicago Lithuanian Center
November 18 – Straw Ornament Making at Balzekas Museum
We hope you enjoy our family Christmas tradition and hope to see you next year. Until then, Linksmų Kalėdų (Merry Christmas)!