Society
Lithuania celebrated Restoration of Statehood Day
On Monday, Lithuania celebrated Restoration of Statehood day, which featured a solemn sitting in Seimas, marches in the cities and various events. […]
Society
History
Cartography of a private domain: the 1645 map of the Duchy of Biržai
European cartography experienced a considerable rise in the 16th and the first half of the 17th century when maps became a practical necessity. Their importance rose in Lithuania too as people required more precise pictures of different localities due to intensifying economic ties with Europe, military conflicts and local land and administrative reforms. This is how the view of southern Lithuania emerged in 1559 according to the description of forests by Grigalius Valavičius. […]
Society
Vilnius University has become the first academic institution in Lithuania to evaluate gender equality
At the request of Vilnius University (VU), the evaluation of gender equality was performed by the Office of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson. A unique research method called ‘gender equality ruler’ was used. VU is the first higher education institution in Lithuania that has participated in such research, a press release from the university states. […]
Society
Lithuanian capital elects first openly gay politician to city council
Last weekend, the Lithuanian capital city of Vilnius elected the first openly gay politician to its city council. Human rights activist Tomas Vytautas Raskevičius has become the first proudly open gay person to be elected to the political office in Lithuania. The candidate was running on the list of the current liberal mayor Remigijus Šimašius, who has made headlines by stating that “Vilnius is LGBT-friendly city.” […]
Society
Vilnius celebrates female travellers
A pioneer in women’s voting rights; one of just a few European cities with female traffic light symbols; a past and present filled with strong women, including current President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė – Vilnius deserves the attention of female travellers from around the world, a press release from Go Vilnius states. […]
Society
Concerns continue over Gediminas Hill: risk of landslide remains
The Ministry of Culture is to make a decision on how to continue restoring Gediminas Hill, lrt.lt writes. […]
Society
Survey: only one in every 11 Lithuanians ranks own health as excellent
Although in many areas Lithuania is showing progress and catching up with Western European countries, we are still one of the worst-looking countries in the European Union when it comes to public health. Population surveys also show that only a small number of Lithuanians enjoy an impeccable health. A public opinion poll conducted by Eurovaistinė, a pharmacy network, revealed that actually only one in every 11 Lithuanians ranks own health as good. Medical experts say that this is due to the lack of attention of the population to the disease prevention and healthy lifestyle. […]
Society
Vilnius to celebrate March 11: march, tours and free public transport
On 11 March, Vilnius city dwellers and city guests will follow the Roads of Freedom in Vilnius. Everyone is invited to the march at which a 400 metre long Lithuania’s flag will be carried and to take free of charge tours around the Old Town. The tours will be given in a number of different languages by almost forty guides. Excellent news to everybody: public transport will take passengers to the festive events of 11 March free of charge as well, a press release from Vilnius city municipality states. […]
Society
Lithuania will mark the Day of Re-establishment of Lithuania’s Independence
This year, Lithuania will mark the 29th anniversary of the re-establishment of its independence, commemorating the adoption of the Act on the Re-establishment of the State of Lithuania by the Supreme Council – Reconstituent Seimas on 11 March 1990. On this occasion, a lot of festive events will take place in the Seimas and throughout the country to celebrate Lithuania’ liberation from the Soviet occupation, recall the success of the united fight for freedom and share the joy of living in the independent democratic republic cherished by all Lithuanian people. […]
History
Food in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania
In the 13th and 14th centuries, both pagans and Christians suffered from starvation because the lack of food was a common. Low economic productivity and the shortage of alternative crops to compensate poor harvests caused dire calamities to people’s lives, as did adverse weather conditions, plant and animal diseases, epidemics, and wars. Lack of everything, especially food, and repeated famines led to a form of social welfare. Those who could afford or had access to enough food and clothing would store everything safely in warehouses, barns or sheds. The abundance of food, which usually indicates prosperity, might, and wealth, accompanied by social responsibility, has been meticulously described in many sources while speaking of feasts, both pagan and Christian, which a generous and hospitable host was expected to arrange. […]
Society
VRK and police count complaints related to the elections: number exceeds 50
The municipal election marathon that launched on Wednesday has brought with it a slew of breaches, which will be investigated by not only the Central Electoral Commission (VRK), but also police officers, lrt.lt writes. […]
Society
“Living chain” saves drowning women and children
A walk on Sunday afternoon in Klaipėda‘s Melnragė I near the pier could have ended in tragedy for four people, klaipeda.diena.lt reports. […]
Society
Lithuania enters world university law study ratings for the first time
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2019 were announced on February 27, 2019. This year four Lithuanian universities were ranked in different study and research areas. For the first time in Lithuania’s history, it was ranked in the field of law. Mykolas Romeris University was the only Lithuanian university that appeared in the subject ranking for law among the 300 best universities of the world, taking the 251-300 position, a press release from the university states. […]
Society
Bank of Lithuania warns about false messages to Swedbank clients
The Bank of Lithuania reports that Swedbank clients are receiving false text messages about how Swedbank will supposedly cease operations on March 2, that their accounts will be transferred to another bank and an account number is presented to transfer funds. […]
Society
4 out of 5 Vilnius University study fields are now among top 400 in the world
Vilnius University is strengthening its positions in the newest review of QS World University Rankings by Subject 2019. 30 out of 48 subject areas were evaluated, among which 23 fields improved its quality indicators, a press release from the university states. […]
Society
VGTU is among the top 100 universities in the world: the highest position in the history of Lithuania
For the first time, a Lithuanian university is among the top 100 best universities in the world in Engineering – Civil & Structural subject group according to the latest “QS World University Rankings by Subject 2019” results, which have been announced on 27 February. In total, 4 higher education institutions from Lithuania are listed in this ranking, a press release from VGTU states. […]
History
The mythology of the Battle of Saulė
The raid of the Christian army against Lithuania in 1236 was dictated by the political circumstances that occurred after the Curonians’ surrender to Livonia in 1229-1230. It was then that Germans readied themselves to invite the pagans living south of Dauguva into the “sweet yoke of Christ’s faith.” It was at this point that the Christian German immigrant community of Riga and the interests of the Pope’s curia intersected. […]
Society
Your guide to the Jewish heritage of Vilnius
With bagels making a delicious comeback in Lithuania’s capital and a number of traditional Jewish celebrations becoming part of city life again, there’s a sense that Jewish culture is experiencing somewhat of a rebirth in Vilnius, which has many looking back at the city’s historic ties with its Jewish, or Litvak, community. And though the time machine has yet to be invented, it’s now possible to travel back in time to when Vilnius was known as the Jerusalem of the North. Unlocking the Jewish cultural heritage deeply embedded into the city’s streets, buildings, and history has just become a lot easier thanks to the new free guide entitled, Discover Jewish Heritage in Vilnius, a press release from GO Vilnius states. […]
Society
Historical breakthrough – there are no more obstacles to building a multifunctional complex in Vilnius
Residents of Vilnius and sports community of the country can mark today as a day to remember – the Council of Vilnius gave the green light to the concession agreement of the multifunctional complex in Šeškinė, and there are no more obstacles to signing it. Having signed the agreement, starting works of construction of the National Stadium and another 15 sports objects on Šeškinė hills will be possible in the nearest future. […]
Society
Different faces of the queen of furniture: Why do Lithuanians dislike what Germans are fond of?
The furniture designers who design products for the markets of Western countries note that customer needs differ considerably: Lithuanian residents choose completely different soft furniture than, for example, Germans. The trend both in Western Europe and in Lithuania is clear: not a single, even the most minimalist, apartment can do without a sofa, which has become a real standard of a multifunctional item of furniture and got painted in bright colours. […]