Stebuliai village becomes a hub for community life, drawing people from across Lithuania

A small village in southern Lithuania has transformed into a vibrant community centre, attracting members not just from the local area but from cities across the country, including Vilnius, reports LRT.

Stebuliai, a village of around 100 residents in Lazdijai district, has seen its community association grow into a magnet for people seeking connection and shared activity. The group, with roughly 40 active members—many from other towns—organises gatherings, excursions, and collective work projects that have revitalised local life.

“We want to come together and socialise. But why limit ourselves to just singing and eating when we can also get things done?” said Rita, the community’s leader, who reintroduced the tradition of collective volunteer work (talkos) to the village.

Members describe the group as a lifeline. “I come here to recharge—it makes me happy,” said Elena, one of the founders. “Some people ask, ‘Why do you go there?’ But why wouldn’t I? Without this, I’d feel alone. This community is my family; they’d never leave me in trouble.”

The association’s reach extends far beyond Stebuliai. “People come from Druskininkai, Marijampolė, even Vilnius. They tell us, ‘You Dzūkians [residents of the Dzūkija region] are amazing,’” Elena said. Without the group’s efforts, she added, “the village would be dead. There’s no cultural centre, no library. If not for us, everything would be abandoned.”

Giedrė, a farmer from Alytus district, joined after being drawn to the community’s energy. Now she writes grant proposals to support its projects. “Serving others brings deeper fulfilment than just looking after yourself,” she said. “People today live comfortably but can feel isolated. Here, we bridge generations—our children grow up alongside older members, learning from their experiences.”

Laima, who lives 17 km away, travels regularly to participate. “Life must be lived with people. Joy and conversation give it meaning,” she said. Even Antanas and Zita, who belong to another community in Metelia, prefer Stebuliai for its warmth. “It’s our second home,” they said. “The leader’s mother keeps everyone organised—there’s always something happening.”

The group’s activities range from cultural outings to hands-on projects like gardening and maintenance, all aimed at preserving the village’s spirit. As one long-time member put it: “We’ve transformed this place with our own hands. Without us, there’d be nothing left.”