Minister of Culture Š. Birutis: Lithuanians around the world are united by culture
Focusing on compatriots living outside their historical homeland is an important part of the field of culture because we are all united and strengthened by language, historical memory, common events and traditions. This opinion was expressed by Minister of Culture Šarūnas Birutis at a meeting with representatives of the Lithuanian World Community (LWC).
The meeting was attended by Dalia Henke, Chairwoman of the LWC, Jūratė Caspersen, Chairwoman of the LWC Cultural Committee, Laurynas Misevičius, Vice-Chairman of the LWC and Chairman of the Sports Commission, Antanas Vinkus, diplomat and representative of the LWC Board, Vice-Minister Edita Klaunauskaitė, Advisor to the Minister Kotryna Žukauskaitė, and other representatives of the Ministry of Culture, touching on cultural issues of importance to the Lithuanian diaspora.
The Minister was presented with the priorities of the LWC and the main projects for this year, including the 3rd Congress of World Lithuanian Writers, to be held in Lithuania in the summer, the 12th World Lithuanian Sports Games, the XVIII Seimas of the Lithuanian World Community, and the 3rd European Lithuanian Culture Days, to be held in Belgium in the autumn.
‘There is no doubt that cooperation with the diaspora is an important part of culture because it is culture — language, historical memory, common events and traditions — that unites and connects us Lithuanians both here in Lithuania and all over the world,’ Minister Birutis stressed.
The LWC representatives shared their thoughts on closer communication and cooperation with the diaspora in the field of culture. They said that the state should devote more attention and financial resources to enable the Ministry of Culture to create a strong mechanism for strengthening links with the diaspora through culture.
According to LWC Chairwoman D. Henke, Lithuanian communities around the world, as active participants in the field of culture, are always ready to participate in cultural missions of importance to Lithuania, and therefore it is very important to maintain contacts, unite, and jointly pursue the goals of importance to the state.
The Minister of Culture thanked the representatives of the LWC for their proactivity, initiatives, and suggestions. It was agreed to intensify communication with the diaspora in the field of culture and to jointly address the issues of concern.
Photo by the Ministry of Culture
Last updated: 04-02-2025