Compulsory education in Lithuania starts with the age of 6 until 16. The primary school is for four years, the basic first stage takes 6 years with students being 10 to 17 years old. After this stage, the senior secondary school starts which last for 2 years and where students can finish with the international baccalaureate.
Various cultural changes occurred throughout Lithuania's transformation from a former country of the Soviet Union to an independent Baltic state. Lithuanian is Lithuania's official language, and most Lithuanians are Roman Catholics. Folk is an influential genre on Lithuanian music, literature, and film.
Lithuania is an old country with wedding traditions that stretch back hundreds of years. Over the centuries weddings traditions and customs in Lithuania have evolved very slowly, with one thing remaining constant: the overriding importance of family. Many of the traditions practiced today have deep roots that are easily traced to customs and traditions from long ago.