Lithuania’s independence 25th anniversary celebrated in Jonköping, Sweden

The festive events organized Lithuanian Honorary Consul Gunar Lans were attended by the Lithuanian Ambassador to Sweden Eitvydas Bajarūnas, Commercial Attaché Audrius Masiulionis, Cultural Attaché Saulė Mažeikaitė and the representatives of Alytus region of Lithuania – Deputy Mayor of Alytus Nijolė Makštutienė, Director of Regional Development Department Vilija Vervečkienė, Director of Alytus County Hospital Artūras Vasiliauskas, and the principal of Alytus music school Aldona Vilkelienė.

Various seminars and meetings on business and culture topics took place in the framework of these events, as well as visits to the Jonköping culture centre and Ryhov regional hospital were organized.

A discussion about the further development of business relations between the regions of Sweden and Lithuania took place during the meeting with the Chair of the Jönköping Municipality Executive Committee Ann-Marie Nilsson, CEO of Jönköping Chamber of Commerce Jonas Ekeroth and the other representatives of the region and the city. The importance of expanding cultural relations was also highlighted.

A reception at Ryhov regional hospital concluded the sequence of events in Jonköping dedicated to the 25th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Independent State of Lithuania. The officials from Jonköping region, Lithuanian ambassador and the representatives of Alytus region gave speeches and later documentaries about Jonköping and Alytus where screened.

According to Bajarūnas, it is joyful that in Jonköping the 25th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Independent State of Lithuania is celebrated among friends. Jonköping and Alytus are developing friendly relations for almost 20 years – right after regaining independence of Lithuania. A special collaboration is being maintained between the hospitals of Ryhov and Alytus. Dozens of specialists have visited their colleagues over the sea and exchanged experience. “Facing Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and continuous threats in the region, now then never before we countries in the Nordic and Baltic region need to intensify cooperation not only in political, security, business areas, but also people-to-people level”, said Ambassador Eitvydas Bajarūnas.

The upcoming 25th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Independent State of Lithuania was also commemorated at the annual Swedish-Lithuanian association meeting in Ödeshög on 7th March. The members of the association were thanked for their many years lasting active contribution to the successful cooperation between the countries. The association unites Lithuanian and Swedish institutions and individuals who seek to strengthen business ties between the two countries, and to develop relations in such areas as environment, education and culture, as well as those who engaged in charitable activities.

Commemoration of 11th March in Stockholm is being organized by the Lithuanian community in Sweden. A Lithuanian film „We will sing“ will be screened at the event which is to take place at the Embassy of Lithuania. On the same day in Halmstad, with the initiative of another Lithuanian Honorary Consul Evert Grahn, an event for the commemoration of the Restoration of the Independent State of Lithuania will take place. Lithuanian ambassador Bajarūnas will also have bilateral meetings with Mayor of Halmstad Carl Fredrik Graf and governor Lena Sommestad.

Some other events are planned in Malmö, Kristianstad and other cities of Sweden.