In today’s world, humanity’s relationship with nature is changing, and rituals are becoming one way to forge a connection with the environment and care for ourselves, others, and the life around us. These topics were explored on October 24–27 in Nice (France), at the University of the Côte d’Azur (French: Université Côte d’Azur), during the international academic conference “RI-NA-RI-CA: Ritualizing Nature, Ritualizing Care.” Dalia Senvaitytė, a researcher at the Kaunas Faculty of Vilnius University, also participated in the conference.
The conference brought together researchers from 25 countries representing three international academic networks: the European Network for Ethnology and Historiography “Eurethno,” the Francophonie Working Group, and the Ritual Year Working Group.
At the conference, D. Senvaitytė presented a paper titled “From Hillforts to Sacred Groves: Contemporary Pagan Place-Making and Seasonal Rituals in Lithuania.” The researcher discussed studies on the creation and interpretation of contemporary sacred sites in Lithuania, revealing how ritual practices, community activities, and cultural interpretations shape sacred spaces.