Lithuanian-American Community of Eastern Long Island
Rasa Mitruleviciene, Chair
C/o Gerda Vadeikiene, Treasurer
54 Old Saddle Rd, Ridge, NY 11961

Tax Exempt #36-3625439

May 5, 2013

The Ninth Annual World Lithuanian Games will take place in Klaipeda, Lithuania from June 27th – 30th, 2013. More than one thousand athletes from all around the world will participate in 27 different events, i.e. Basketball, Soccer. Lithuania’s President Dalia Grybauskaite will be the Patron of the Games.
The goal of these friendly competitions is for all Lithuanians especially the younger generation to connect through playing the sports they love!
The North American Women’s Basketball team is very excited about this event. All the young woman from North America’s high schools and colleges will participate in representing the USA.
Your generous donations will help cover some of the expenses like the uniforms and / or the travel costs. Every business that donates $500 or more will have their company logo put on the jerseys. Please help us achieve our goal, every dollar counts.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at 631-764-1932. Please make the check payable to: Lithuanian-American Community of Eastern Long Island.

Sincerely,
Rasa Mitruleviciene
Chair

On Saturday, May 11th, the parish hall of Immaculate Conception parish in Brighton Park, Chicago hosted the ensemble „Sodžius”. The concert was organized by Lithuanian American Community National Executive Committee and the Brighton Park chapter. Dr. Elona Vaišnienė, member of the National Executive Committee, greeted the audience, described the purpose of the Lithuanian American Committee, presented some of its functions, achievements, projects. She urged people to make suggestions to the organization, new members to participate more actively, bringing their energy to the organization. In recognition of Brighton Park chapter president’s many years of work in the organization, Dr. E. Vaišnienė presented Salomėja Dauliene with the Žalgiris medal. The medal commemorates the critical battle, fought in 1410, that pitted the Lithuanian/Polish allied forces against the Teutonic order, and was decisively won by the allied forces. The program was followed by refreshments, prepared by local culinary volunteers.

On Saturday, May 11th Chicago Lithuanian Heritage school was visited by several guests: Algimantas Bariskis, Lithuanian American Community, Central Region, committee member ( on the left) and former pilot Juozas Malevskis (on the right). They met with students from 4th through 6th grade to describe the trans-Atlantic flight of Darius and Girenas, the construction of their airplane Lituanica, and the issues involved with flight at that time. The students were very interested in the model of Lituanica that was shared by the guest speakers. This is the year that Lithuanians commemorate the 80th year of the historic, brave flight attempted by Darius and Girenas, in an effort to proclaim the greatness of Lithuania to the world.

Loreta Timukienė
Lithuanian American Community National Executive Council Vice President, Information
On April 19 – 21st, Cleveland hosted the second Lithuanian Folk Dance Festival, Juventus. Participating groups from various states in the US included ,,Švyturys”, ,,Grandis”, ,,Spindulys”, ,,Gintaras” and ,,Saulėtas krantas”, delighting the audience the entire weekend.
Saturday was the folk dance concert, followed by an evening banquet. During the festival, not only was there foot stomping and hand clapping, but also an opportunity for the young adults and representatives of the Lithuanian American Community to participate in a “Young adults and the Lithuanian American Community” seminar. The seminar was led by the National Executive Council president Sigita Šimkuvienė and Liepa Boberienė, vice president for Youth Affairs. They met with the festival participants and organizers, the teachers at the Cleveland Lithuanian Heritage school, the basketball team ,,Žaibas” (older section), Lithuanian American Community – Cleveland chapter committee, and the president of the Ohio district of the Lithuanian American Community, Nomeda Vučianiene. Additionally, they chatted with the young adults, many of whom attend college in other states or work elsewhere. President S. Šimkuvienė also met with „Lithuanian Homestead“ Board representatives from the Lithuanian American Community to discuss various items related to the Homestead.
S. Šimkuvienė presented „Outstanding Educator Award“ to Amanda Mulioliene, and introduced a new publication, „Lithuanian American Community News“, which contains information about the LAC, its work, important documents, Lithuanian heritage schools, life, and interviews with active members of LAC.
Seminar participants received information about PLJS (World Lithuanian Youth Organization). Several members of the audience agreed to be representatives of the US at the next Youth Congress, to be held in the United Kingdom. Ways of working with PLJS were discussed, including organizing events, such as CuLTFest, July 12 – 14, in Kaunas, Lithuania.
Also distributed was information from the LAC Board of Directors, describing the structure of LAC. This will help newcomers better understand the work of the LAC.
L. Boberienė described her plans for Youth Affairs. She spoke about LISS, the summer internship program for US students in Lithuania, which has 34 students signed up for this summer. They will be interning in various places in Lithuania – businesses, government institutions. These students will also participate in an introductory- cultural program, allowing for a more indepth exposure to Lithuania. Audience discussed today‘s needs for LAC, and the feasibility of achieving them. As an example, the Cleveland chapter was mentioned as having many strong small groups, which unfortunately are geographically scattered. This makes it difficult for them to coordinate. Although the chapter advertises various events, the young adults claim they still are not aware of these events and cannot always participate. The efforts of the chapter to include children and young adults at times are frustrated because programs need last minute changes, due to lack of preparation by the children.
The difficulties experienced by St. Casimir parish were discussed. Many recent immigrants ceased attending the church once the Lithuanian speaking priest left. The current pastor does not participate in Lithuanian community functions.
Suggestions to the Cleveland chapter included developing closer ties with dance group ,,Švyturys”, sports team,,Žaibas” and the St. Casimir Lithuanian Heritage School by including representatives from these groups in the committee. Additionally, they (the chapter) should express an interest in the wishes of the young adults (perhaps via a survey). Another suggestion was to meet with the current pastor and discuss possibilities of increased cooperation.
More discussion included communication with LJS (the Lithuanian youth organization in the US), selecting representatives to the PLJS Congress in the UK, new chapter forming in Miami, Fl, young adult LEC seminar in Charlotte, NC, this fall.
This weekend was yet again proof that Lithuanians can participate in fun events, but are also ready to join and support organizations in their community, such as the Lithuanian American Community.

Registration for Lithuanian Youth Days, Kaunas, Lithuania, June 28-30, is continuing.
This event will take place in Zalgiris arena. Lithuanian Youth Days are a significant event in this important Year of Faith, and will attract believers, and especially youth, from all Lithuania and abroad.

Registration for this event began on January 1, 2013 and will continue until June 1, 2013.
Registered Participants: 14 – 35 years of age
Participation fee: 30 Lt
Theme for these Youth Days is based on Jesus’ words, “I name you my friends” (John 15, 1-14)
In keeping with the theme, we encourage you to form a group with your friends, or join an existing group (affiliated with a parish or youth center) and register the whole group. If you wish to start your own group, information/help can be found at: http://www.jaunimodienos.lt/ljd2013/turinys/kontaktai/

Group leaders must be adults. They should have a list of their group participants, and, if any are under age, a parent/guardian consent form for that participant.

Individual registration for LJD 2013 will be for  adults only, whether they are coming from outside Lithuania, or do not have the opportunity to join a group.

For more information about registration: http://www.jaunimodienos.lt/ljd2013/turinys/registracija/

The Achievement of Darius and Girėnas, an Emigrants‘ Expression of Love

A visit to Chicago Lithuanian Heritage School, student quiz show, in commemorating 80th anniversary of the flight of Darius and Girėnas.

“What are you always looking for, human, as though a bird? What are you waiting for, at the end of the long road? You cannot live without the sky, but you also cannot live without the earth!” These words were coming from the speakers, accompanying a visual display of documentary slides, describing the historic and tragic flight of pilots Darius and Girenas. The presentation was director R. Verbas’ 1983 documentary film made in Lithuania,  “The Wings of Lituanica”; the audience, 9^th and 10^th graders from Chicago Lithuanian Cultural School, and Maironis Lithuanian School; the location, Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture. This 30 year old film, produced for the 50^th anniversary of the Lituanica disaster, may have appeared antiquated to these young viewers, its content and subject matter, of an event ocurring 80 years ago, of little interest. The film shows the happy, proud faces accompanying the two pilots to their departure. How long ago it seemed, and yet, in the history of time, just a short while. As pointed out by the narrator, at the time of the translatlantic flight attempt by Darius and Girenas, there were less people who had successfully accomplished this flight than there are people today who have walked on the moon. At the conclusion of the movie, Stanley Balzekas, museum founder, born and raised in Chicago,  remembered this flight. He was 8 years old, and would frequently sneak off from home to Midway airfield to watch the planes take off and land. Who could have predicted that in a relatively short period of time, flights across the Atlantic were common, and a robot had been placed on Mars. Can today’s youth envision a world without computer technology? Darius and Girenas would probably have embraced all of these advancements. A closeup of the widow of Darius (Jaunutė Škėmaitė Darienė) shows her crying while watching slides of the young pilots, because “it is sad, so sad for this old lady”. Hopefully, the teens in the audience felt this sadness as well. Darius and Girenas were heroes and patriots. The goal of this field trip for the students was to emphasize these aspects of the anniversary. The trip included a variety of experiences: a tour of the 80^th commemorative Darius and Girenas “biographical excursion” exhibit at the museum (prepared by Rita Janz and Karile Vaitkute), viewing the documentary film, and participating in the quiz event (viktorina).

Rita Janz, museum director, described the life of the pilots: youth, emigration to US, education and work, Darius’ return to Lithuania, attending air force academy, marriage, daughter’s birth, participation in the Klaipėda revolution and its return to belonging to Lithuania, support of sports,  return to US with his family, vowing to return to Kaunas by air. She described the friendship of these two pilots, their desire to make Lithuania famous, purchase and preparation of the airplane, the flight, and the crash, the deep mourning in Lithuania and US, the monuments built for them.

During the movie, students were able to see Darius and Girenas as young men, preparing for the flight. The movie also included details about the investigation of the crash, interviews with investigators.

The final portion of the field trip, the quiz show, which provided an opportunity for the 9^th and 10^th graders to display their knowledge of these American/Lithuanian heroes. The quiz show began with an introductory speech from Marijus Gudynas, General Counsel of the Republic of Lithuania in Chicago, and Gintė Damušyte, Lithuania’s Secretary of State Ambassador for Special Events. This was followed by student poetry recitation, dedicated to Darius and Girėnas.

Quiz questions were prepared by history teacher Juozas Malickas. The judges were Juozas Malickas, Rita Janz and Karilė Vaitkutė. Votes were tabulated by Loreta Timukienė, assistant principal of Chicago Lithuanian Cultural School. Questions included factual information about the flight, the pilots, and some that none of the teams could answer. However, as the General Counsel, Marijus Gudynas observed, there are no losers here – all are winners in enriching their knowledge about these two incredible, heroic Lithuanians.  One of the questions was: “What do we ( the students) and Darius and Girėnas have in common?” Answer: We are Lithuanian, and many of us are emigrants of Lithuania.

Darius and Girėnas are examples of Lithuanian patriotism, and also heroic citizens of their adopted home, the country they emigrated to, the US. They are the role models for new emigrants to emulate.

Karilė Vaitkutė

The Central Region committee of the Lithuanian American Community reinstated a wonderful tradition: they organized a contest of formal oral readings of literature for students in Lithuanian Heritage schools. The goal of this contest is to encourage student interest in Lithuanian literature, foster a deeper understanding of literary works, and be able to share the readings with correct diction, and engaging, expressive interpretation.

On April 20th, after Lithuanian school, the Art museum at the Lithuanian World Center hosted 16 contestants of various ages from three different Lithuanian Heritage schools. Their readings constisted of various poetry and prose works of Lithuanian authors.

The jury committee consisted of: Giedrė Gillespie (president), Juozas Kapačinskas, and Svajonė Kerelytė. It was quite challenging for the commitee to select the best from these very gifted and motivated students. Judges based their points on pronunciation, and ability to interpret the reading, enlightening the listeners. The contestants were placed in two groups, based on grade level: grades 1 – 6, and grades 7 – 10.

The final results were as follows:

In the grade 1 – 6 group:

1st prize    Patrick Mantasky, Gediminas school

2nd prize  Ugnė Dainytė, Maironis school

3rd prize   Monika and Matas Mikuckis, Maironis school

In the grade 7 – 10 group:

1st prize    Austėja Stanevičiūtė, 10th grade, Chicago Lithuanian school

2nd prize  Indrė Dukauskaitė, 8th grade, Chicago Lithuanian school

3rd prize   Ugnė Jurgaitytė, 10th grade, Chicago Lithuanian school

All winners received prizes and certificates, and all participants received chocolates. Hopefully, this tradition, now that it has been renewed, will continue to flourish and attract more contestants each year.

This project is the inspiration of a young generation, whose desire and enthusiasm for their ethnic heritage motivates them to learn more about their ancestors, and preserve the memory of those who were deported to Siberia, never to return to their homeland: „Mission Siberia“

For the eighth year in a row, a small group of dedicated young people visits locations in Siberia that were deportation destinations for their ancestors. Their visit is funded by various organizations. There are thousands of applicants for this project, but only a small group is selected.

This year‘s expedition will be leaving for the Tiumene region of Russia, on July 17th, from Vilnius train station. How fitting that July 17th is also Unification of Lithuanians in the World Day. The participants of Mission Sibiras are highly motivated representatives of a new generation of young Lithuanians. Their commitment is not only to the actual visit, but also to expand the import of this expedition by sharing their experiences in schools, universities, organizations, in Lithuania and beyond its borders.

All support for this Mission comes from donations. All donations are appreciated.‘

Please consider helping Mission Siberia- more than an expedition- a reaffirmation of ethnicity, pride, and history of Lithuanian heritage.

If you would like to participate in this Mission: Siberia project with financial support, please make out your check to Lithuanian American Community, Inc. and in the memo section indicate Mission: Siberia

Please mail your donation to:

Algimantas Gustaitis, Lithuanian American Community vice-president for finances

The Lithuanian American Community will forward all donations to the Mission:Siberia project in Lithuanian. All donations are tax deductible.

More information can be found at www.misijasibiras.lt

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: Junior Professionals Programme “Kurk Lietuvai” (“Create for Lithuania”)

In 2012 state agencies Invest Lithuania and Enterprise Lithuania, in partnership with the Lithuanian Government launched a pioneer project Junior Professionals Programme (JPP) Kurk Lietuvai. The programme turned out to be a great success and very recently it opened up for 2013-2014 batch applications.

The JPP is aimed at providing opportunities for Lithuanian youth with graduate degrees from relevant foreign academic institutions to employ acquired skills and knowledge in the public sector. Some of the participating state institutions are the Prime Minister office, Ministries of Economy, Finance, Justice, Foreign Affairs, Environment, Culture, Invest Lithuania, Enterprise Lithuania and other agencies as well as state entities. Selected young professionals work with strategic governmental projects and are provided with an opportunity to participate in high level decision making processes. The JPP is a great leadership training foundation, an opportunity to jump-start ones career in the public sector. Participants receive a market-base level salary and benefits as well as challenging assignments, feedback for their work and an opportunity to be a part of the progress done by the Lithuanian government. Kurk Lietuvai is a one-year, 4-month rotation based programme which starts in September 2013. Individual rotations are tailor-made according to participants’ background, preferences and expectations.

Community Development Studies program at Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania

Vytautas Magnus university announces a new course of studies, Community Development.

This is an interdisciplinary program that will prepare students to work with different groups, in a multicultural environment.

The length of the course is 3.5 years.

This program is unique in offering internships with businesses, highly qualified and experienced professors. Possibilities of combining courses with Lineus University in Sweden, Liublijana University in Slovenia, and German universities are being explored.

Lithuanian communities abroad are looking for young professionals with Community Development background.

For more information,
www.vdu.lt
http://socialinisdarbas.vdu.lt
http://www.facebook.com/VDU Socialinis Darbas

email contact:
l.varzinskiene@sgi.vdu.lt

Host an Exchange Student from Lithuania who has won a US Department of State Scholarship!

These high school students will be with the host family for two semesters
beginning in August, 2013. They have earned their scholarships in a competitive
process. They must maintain a “B” average in their host high school, complete
30 hours of volunteer service, and join a leadership club or activity. They receive
a monthly stipend for spending money and some funds for school-related
expenses.

Host families must provide three meals per day, a place to sleep, a place to
study, a comfortable home environment, and transportation to and from school
and school activities (school bus is fine.)

Who can host? Couples with or without children, singles, and empty nesters.

Who to contact? James E. Kerr, Local Coordinator, American Councils for
International Education. American Councils places only State Department
Scholarship winners.

Profiles of scholarship winners are available now and placements are taking
place. We have many to place and only a limited time in which to find host
families. Please contact:

ExCEL fact sheet

James E. Kerr 618 667-9858 jekerr@charter.net

Who can apply?
JPP (Young Professionals Program), “Kurk Lietuvai” (Create for Lithuania) is designed for citizens of the Republic of Lithuania who,

• are currently living abroad, who graduated college abroad with above average/excellent evaluations
• are fluent in written and spoken Lithuanian and at least one foreign language
• are familiar with basic utilitarian computer programs
• are actively involved in local community projects
• are interested in the current events of the political and public life of Lithuania and want to actively participate
• demonstrate initiative, superior communication skills, work well with other, and have excellent analytical and project leadership abilities

How to apply?
This program begins in September, 2013, and is of one-year duration. Interested applicants should submit a letter of intent that describes their motivation, and also two recommendations. These are due by May 1st, via email to : egle.vaigauskaite@investlithuania.com

Those who qualify after the initial screening will be expected to provide copies of their diplomas and transcripts.

For more information, tel.
(+370) 5 2194313
http://www.kurklt.lt/karjera

The Ministry of Education and Science is announcing a competition for awards for scientific and educational achievements. These awards will be granted to persons of Lithuanian descent, or citizens of Lithuania living abroad.

We invite all Lithuanian communities abroad, and Lithuania’s Institutes of Higher Learning to submit candidates for these awards. In those countries where there are no sizeable Lithuanian communities, individuals wishing to be considered for these awards may submit their own candidacy.

Eligible candidates include those who either have received a university diploma and/or have a creditable reputation in their field. Candidates who are citizens of Lithuania must present proof of having lived abroad for more than three years. Candidates of Lithuanian descent must present proof of their heritage by submitting a document, signed by a representative of the Lithuanian community, which attests to this. Alternatively, these candidates can submit other documents as proof of their heritage as described in Republic of Lithuania Laws for Citizens (Newsletter 2002, No. 95-4087; 2006, No. 46-1645) in the 26th article, 4th paragraph, describing documents that are acceptable as proof of descent.

In consideration of the educational achievements of the candidates, 3 out of a possible 5 awards will be granted:

• Award for research and innovative advancements in the fields of Social Sciences and Humanitarian Studies during the last ten years
• Award for research and innovative advancements in the fields of Physical Sciences, Biomedical Sciences and Technology during the last ten years
• Lifetime Achievement Award for research and innovative advancements in the fields of Social Sciences and Humanitarian Studies
• Lifetime Achievement Award for research and innovative advancements in the fields of Physical Sciences, Biomedical Sciences and Technology
• Award for educational achievements and sharing of same by dissemination of expertise

The monetary award is 13,000 Lt. More information about this competition can be found at the Ministry’s website: http://www.smm.lt/konkursai/kiti.htm

Contestants must present the following:

1. Recommendation for candidacy from: representative of the Lithuanian community and /or an Institution of Higher Learning in Lithuania
2. The candidate‘s CV, including a description of educational achievements
3. Summary of communication with scientists and scholars in Lithuania, Institutions of Higher Learning in Lithuania, and businesses in Lithuania
4. Recommendations (optional)

Submissions and documentations will be accepted via email (until April 30th, 2013, by email: ausra.gribauskiene@smm.lt, or fax +370 5 2612077). Any questions should be directed to the given email.

In Lithuanian only.

ll Lithuanian artists living in the USA are invited to apply to the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show 2013. As you may have heard, there are 24 artists who will be coming from Lithuania to participate in the Craft Show which will take place November 7-10, 2013. Lithuanian artists who live in America may also participate, but they need to apply through this route: http://pmacraftshow.org/application/

The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show receives over one thousand applications and selects only 200 artists from America. Lithuanian artists’ works are strong and of a very high quality, so we should be able to compete successfully. It would be great if we could have a larger group of Lithuanians represented in the show.

The application needs to be submitted by April 1, so if you are interested in participating, please do not dally, but prepare your application and necessary photographs ASAP. The categories of art work exhibited at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show include: basketry, ceramics, fiber, furniture (includes all media), glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, hand made paper, wearables and wood.

If you have questions, please see http://pmacraftshow.org/application/ where you will find detailed information, or contact Honorary Consul Krista Bard: bard@kristabard.com.

At 3 am, Chicago time, on February 23rd, the General Consulate in Chicago of the Republic of Lithuania, in partnership with the Lithuanian American Community Midwest district and the Maironis Lithuanian Heritage School of Lemont, IL, organized the participation in Lithuania‘s National Dictation Contest, at the Lithuanian World Center, Lemont, IL.

After a 2 year hiatus, the reinstatement of the contest attracted 9 contestants from the Chicago area – self-proclaimed devotees of the Lithuanian language. They gathered in one of the school‘s classrooms, ready to take on the challenge. Marijus Gudynas, the Consul
General, was there to give rousing encouragement to the group, extolling them for braving the challenge at such an late hour of the night.

As in previous years, Goodwill Financial, a company formed by Lithuanians, sponsored the prizes for the Chicago contestants. A special brand name pen slated for the contestant who turned in the best dictation, and consolation prizes for all the participants.

The General Consulate thanks all participants in this event and those who helped organize it.

The Republic of Lithuania’s Ministry of Education and Science, in an effort to expand and encourage Lithuanian (Baltistic) studies outside of Lithuania, is announcing a competitive grant program for projects of Lithuanian (Baltistic) studies.

The institutions of learning and educational studies in Lithuania, along with their partners, Center of Lithuanian (Baltistic) Studies Abroad, are asked to submit cooperative projects to enable these Lithuanian studies.

The application form can be found on the Ministry of Education’s website www.smm.lt/konkursai/kiti.htm (in Lithuanian).

Applications must be submitted by March 8th, 2013 to the Higher Education, Science, and Technology for Academic Mobile and Continuing Education Department within the Ministry of Education and Science. The address is A. Volano g. 2/7, 01516 Vilnius.

Any questions should be directed to the main specialist of the Academic Mobile and Continuing Education, Daivą Žemgulienę tel. (8-5) 219 1167, el. p. daiva.zemguliene@smm.lt.

On February 13th, the Chicago mayoral council adopted a resolution, congratulating Vilnius on the occasion of a 20-year partnership as a sister city. Chicago, home of the largest population of Lithuanian emigrants beyond Lithuania‘s borders, is known as “Little Lithuania” states the resolution. “During the history of Chicago, Lithuanians have been a positive addition to its growth, and continue to play an important role in Chicago‘s cultural, public, and economic life.” Thanks in part to the efforts of Lithuanian Americans, “the city of Chicago has become a better place to live in and work.” These are just a few of the reasons that this sister city partnership should be commemorated.

The planned year long series of events, was initiated by a meeting of General Consul of the Republic of Lithuania, Marijus Gudynas, president of Vilnius-Chicago Sister City committee, Stanley Balzekas, Chicago mayor, Rahm Emmanuel, and leaders of the Sister City programs. During the meeting, the expansion of the nature of the Chicago-Vilnius partnership was discussed. The General Consul presented Rahm Emmanuel with congratulatory statement from the mayor of Vilnius, Arturas Zuokas, on the occasion of this 20th anniversary. The mayor of Vilnius pledged a similar goal of partnership expansion, to be presented to the Vilnius mayoral council for approval.

The agreement between the third largest city in the U.S. and the capital of Lithuania was signed in 1983. Both mayors have received reciprocal invitations to visit their sister city in celebration of this 20th year anniversary. Stanley Balzekas, president of the Vilnius-Chicago sister city committee, discussed initial plans of events for the year long commemoration.

Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
February 14, 2013

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Lithuania on the 95th anniversary of your independence this February 16.

The American and Lithuanian people share a long, unbroken history as partners and friends. Today our countries are tackling together some of the world’s greatest challenges as we work to spread the ideals of democracy, human rights, and rule of law to create a world that is secure, prosperous, and free.

The unbreakable spirit, strong determination, and entrepreneurial innovation of the Lithuanian people are the foundations of your success, and you provide an example for others in the region and around the world who still aspire to be free. We look forward to continuing our work with Lithuania to improve our commercial ties and advance the already strong people-to-people and political bonds between our nations.

As you celebrate this day from Klaipeda to Vilnius, please know that the United States will always stand with you as a faithful friend and ally.

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Today we all celebrate the Day of Restoration of Lithuania’s Independence, declared 95 years ago on February 16, 1918. We send you our kindest regards in recognition of this historic date.

John V. Prunskis M.D.
Honorary Consul of Lithuania in Aspen, Colorado

In Lithuanian only.

Download (in LT only)

Now available, a toll-free, anonymous psychological consultation hotline in Lithuanian. The line is open Mondays and Thursdays 6pm-9pm.

The toll-free number is: (866) 438-7400.

Calls that come in before 9 pm may extend past call hours.

In Lithuanian only.

In Lithuanian only.

In Lithuanian only.

In Lithuanian only.

In Lithuanian only.

In Lithuanian only

In Lithuanian only

The unprecedented hurricane Sandy left a painful trail on the East coast for many Lithuanian-American families. Houses were destroyed and other property was badly damaged.

LAC’s New York district and Lithuanian Scouts are seeking donations for victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Learn more

On December 13-16, 2012 in Las Vegas, NV, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania and the Consulate General of Chicago, IL plan to provide consular services to Lithuanian citizens and those of Lithuanian descent living in Las Vegas, NV and in neighboring states.

Services provided include amending/issuing passports, dealing with foreign-registered civil status documents (birth, marriage, divorce), declaration of residence, as well as requests for Lithuanian citizenship.

Honorary Consul Julianna Astra Michels helped to organize this mission.

The consular mission will take place at

We welcome you to register in advance by email (karoline@konsulatas.org) or phone 1-312-397-0382, ext. 201 or 203.

More information on consular services of the Consulate General of the Republic of Lithuania in Chicago

A new LAC board was elected at the XX session of the Lithuanian-American Community Council held in Atlanta, GA on September 28-29, 2012. For the first time in LAC’s history, LAC will be led by a representative of the newest wave of emigration. Sigita Simkuviene-Rosen (first row, third from left) came to the United States 11 years ago and now lives in New Haven, CT. Elected by majority vote, the newly elected President, S. Simkuviene-Rosen, previously served as Vice President of Organizational Affairs. The President of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, Irena Degutiene, sent a congratulatory note to Simkuviene-Rosen. The session was also attended by the Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, Arvydas Daunoravicius, the Ambassador of Lithuania to the United States, Žygimantas Pavilionis, and the Consul General in New York, Valdemaras Sarapinas.

Newly elected members include: Executive Vice President Rimantas Bitėnai (second row, first from right); Vice President, Archives – Dalė Lukienė (first row, second from left); Vice President, Financial Affairs – Algimantas Gustaitis (second row, second from right); Vice President, Information – Loreta Timukienė (in the first row, second from right); Vice President, Youth Affairs – Liepa Gust; Vice President, Organizational Affairs – Laurynas Vismanas (second row, first from left); Vice President, Sports – Arvydas Bubulis; LISS Program Director – Rasa Ardys-Juškienė (first row, third from right); Treasurer – Dr. Žydrūnas Gimbutas; LAC web team – Danguolė Navickienė (second row, second from left), Dr. Elona Vaisnys and Algis Grybas. Cultural Affairs, co-chairs Ruth Pakštaitė-Cole and Laima Apanavičienė; Academic Affairs, Chair – Dr. Regina Balčaitiėnė; Religious Affairs, Chair – Rev. Gintaras Jonikas; Social Affairs, Chair – Gražvydas Supronas (first row, first from left); Educational Affairs, Chair – Daiva Navickiene; Public Affairs, Chair – Danelė Vidutienė (first row, first from right).

A reminder that the 2012 Lithuanian Parliamentary elections are set to take place October 14th (October 13th in US) and will include a referendum on the construction of a new nuclear power plant.

We encourage you to actively participate in the election process!

More information can be found by downloading the following:

View questions for the candidates(in LT)
View answers from the candidates (in LT)
View general information booklet (in LT)
View voter guide (in LT)