Highlights From Lithuanian Independence Day Celebrations

Sioux City, Iowa

by Agnes Dicpetryte-Donovan

Lithuanian-Americans and their friends convened Sunday, February 15, 1998 at the Sioux City Convention Center to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the declaration of Lithuania's independence.

Birute Vindasius, Chairperson of the Lithuanian-American Community of Mid-West Region States, was the main speaker at Sunday's celebration. She spoke to the nearly 100 attendees about the history of Lithuania, present economic conditions, and the Lithuanian-American Community organization. Agnes Donovan, mistress of ceremonies, welcomed Richard Zvirgzdinas as an honored speaker. Councilman Tim Jacobs attended the function also.

Donovan said that Lithuanians are innately patriotic and have proved their loyalty to their new homeland of America. But, she added, they are aware of their Lithuanian culture and heritage, which has been instilled in them.

The colors of the Lithuanian flag  yellow, green and red  abounded in decorations at the celebration. Credits for organizing this event go to Donovan, Donna Christopherson, Jeanne Maskevich, Irene Reburn, Ann Yorkus and Vera Ulanskas.

Kansas City, Kansas

by Kazys and Margarita

Zemaitis

The celebration of Lithuania's freedom was held in the Conference Center at the Kansas Community College, Kansas City on February 15th at 1:00 p.m.

The program theme was "Growing up in a Lithuanian Community" with emphasis on the old Lithuanian church of St. Casimir's in Kansas City. The church was torn down in 1947 and only a few people remember it. They recalled events and people of that time period.

Some of the speakers expounded about the Kansas City Lithuanian dance group, "Aidas", traveling to Lithuania in 1992. They had danced and sung songs of freedom at the Parliament building with other dance groups from Vilnius. Most of these families have returned to Lithuania and exchanged family stories.

An update was given on the community's support of five Lithuanian girls who came to live and attend college on basketball scholarships in Kansas City. These girls continue to break school records across the area: Aneta and Jurgita Kausaite, Rima Petronyte, Sonata Pranaityte, and Rasa Sukeviciute. Aneta, Jurgita and Rima were asked to return to Lithuania last summer to play on the national team that won the European Women's Basketball Championship.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

by Jeanne Dorr

The Philadelphia Chapter of the Lithuanian-American Community celebrated the 80th anniversary of Lithuania's independence first with Mass at St. Andrew's Lithuanian Church, and then at the Lithuanian Music Hall.

The Mass was celebrated with an opening procession of men, women, and children dressed in beautiful Lithuanian folk costumes. The flags of The United States, Lithuania, The Knights of Lithuania, Lithuanian Scouts, and Ateitininkai added splendor to the occasion. Father Petras Burkauskas, administrator of St. Andrew's, celebrated Mass with Monsignor Leon Peck and Father Joseph Rymdeika.

The formal program at the Music Hall was opened with Father Rymdeika's moving invocation. Philadelphia Mayor Edward Rendell, presented to the audience by Roma Krusinskas, (Pres. of the Philadelphia chapter), praised area Lithuanians for all their contributions to the city of Philadelphia and spoke of his admiration for the people of Lithuania. The community gave the Mayor an amber map of Lithuania and offered him an invitation to visit the country. He was truly appreciative of both.

The next two speakers were Dr. Paul Goble, director of the Washington bureau of Radio Free Europe, and Asta Banionis, the outgoing director of the Lithuanian-American Community's Public Affairs Office in Washington, D.C. and currently associated with Radio Free Europe.

Dr. Goble addressed the audience in English with very strong words for Lithuanian-Americans who have become complacent about Lithuania and especially about Lithuania's acceptance into NATO. He urged the audience to become active again and not be lulled into complacency by a false sense of security.

Ms. Banionis, speaking in Lithuanian, discussed the role Lithuanians can play during this time of change. She told the audience that they could do what no person living in Lithuania can Ö they can be sure to let their representatives know that they expect them to act on legislation that will benefit Lithuania  especially the NATO issue.

Dalia Jakas, the Lithuanian Fund's representative, presented a check to the Lithuanian Sunday School. The children later performed with Lithuanian folk dancing. Parents and grandparents were justifiably filled with pride.

The Viltis choir, under the direction of Anele Kaulinis, performed an especially meaningful song, "My Homeland". Music was written by Ms. Kaulinis and the words by one of our local authors, Mr. Balys Raugas. The Lithuanian Country Band accompanied the Zilvinas Folk Dancers, directed by Estera Washofsky.

The program ended with the singing of "Lietuva Brangi", children waved Lithuanian flags, and, as typical of Lithuanian hospitality, refreshments were served. The Lithuanian-American Community thanked all who made the day an overwhelming success. A special thanks went to the Knights of Lithuania, Council 3, for their participation.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

from "What's Going On", The Lithuanian Citizen's Society newsletter

The annual Lithuanian Independence Day Celebration took place on Saturday, March 21st at the Lithuanian Hall on the South Side in Pittsburgh.

Social hour began with a cash bar at 2:00 pm, followed by a sit down dinner of ethnic and American food, entertainment, and plenty of fellowship.

Highlights From Lithuania

Source: ELTA News Agency at www.elta.lt/eng

Vytautas Landsbergis Awarded the Highest Honor

The Parliamentary leader of Lithuania, Vytautas Landsbergis received the Vytautas Magnus 1st Grade Order award from President Valdas Adamkus at a solemn Seimas session on March 11th.

After receiving the order, Landsbergis said he felt distinguished and hoped that other "March 11th brothers-in-arms" would also get awards. Adamkus said he granted the order because he felt history and personalities warranted such an honor.

Among those decorated previously with the Vytautas Magnus 1st Grade Order was poet Bernardas Brazdzionis.

Zalgiris Basketball Players Congratulated

Lithuania's Prime Minister, Gediminas Vagnorius, congratulated the Zalgiris Club basketball players, coaches, and leadership wishing them luck in the European league. In Vagnorius' congratulatory letter, he wrote "Each victory of Lithuanian sportsmen means joy and pride for a small nation. The basketball club of Lithuania is in the spotlight of Europe again."

Zalgiris, the Lithuanian league champion, beat Belgrade's Beobanka for the second time with a score of 59 to 54. This allowed them to enter the semi-finals of the European Cup's quarter final and win a pass to next season's Euroleague.

Kaliningrad's Demilitarization Issue Up For Debate In Europe

Vytautas Landsbergis, Chairman of Lithuania's Seimas, maintained he viewed demilitarization of the Russian Kaliningrad enclave as a problem for all Europe and should be a more frequent topic of discussion, during a meeting with the visiting President of Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Leni Fischer, in Vilnius on March 11th.

Fischer, who favors good relations, prompted Lithuania to continue work with Kaliningrad by involving Sweden, and other Scandinavian countries.

Fischer revealed plans to set up a European Union information center in the enclave and enlarge a European-level university.