"On the Day of World Lithuanian Unity, let's mentally reach out to every compatriot on this planet. No matter where we are at the moment, we are all connected and united by Lithuania - our common Motherland", said the President when inviting to celebrate this holiday Dalia Grybauskaite. And Kirtimiu Cultural Center for the ninth year in a row on July 17. at 17 p.m. Vilnius residents and city guests will be invited to symbolically congratulate Lithuanians scattered all over the world by meeting in the very heart of Vilnius, near the Lithuanian National Drama Theater.
The origins of the holiday
World Lithuanian Unity Day is celebrated every year on July 17, when 85 years ago legendary pilots Steponas Darius and Stasys Girėnas (real names - Stanislovas Girskis) embarked on a fateful flight across the Atlantic. At that time, black aimed to unite Lithuanians living on different sides of the Atlantic and thus symbolically reduce the distance between distant compatriots.
Although July 17th was celebrated for a long time only by Lithuanians living abroad, this tradition is becoming more and more prominent in Lithuania as well - Kirtimiu Cultural Center was the first institution, in 2009 initiated the celebration of this holiday. Later, in 2013 in may Seimas supplemented the Law on Days of Remembrance and declared July 17 as World Lithuanian Unity Day.
Sending postcards around the world and instant Polaroid photos
17 - 18 p.m. Anyone who wishes will be able to send a postcard created by designer Pijaus Buraks to friends, relatives or acquaintances living in any country in the world for free, and immortalize themselves at a special photo wall with the legendary plane "Lituanica" of S. Darius and S. Girėnas.
Although the real "Lituanica" in 1933 crashed in flight, but the contours and color of the plane are still etched in the memory of many as a symbol of freedom. Interestingly, the cockpit of the Lituanica was only 90 cm wide, and the pilots sat on inflatable rubber cushions placed on top of the oil tank, leaning against the petrol tanks. Since the plane was already overloaded, the pilots did not take radio equipment or parachutes to save space and weight.
Groups "Klaipeda SKA foundation concert
18 p.m. the band from the seaside "Klaipėda SKA foundation" will congratulate and dance on World Lithuanian Unity Day. This project, assembled on the basis of Klaipėda Jazz Orchestra performers, is playing ska,reggaewhen jazzstyles of music and is characterized by an abundance of brass instruments.
Inspired by the legendary group "Skatalites", matured with Miles Davis, and "color" Bob Marley- "Klaipeda SKA Foundation" will make listeners of all ages move.
Venue: Gediminas pr. 4, Vilnius, next to the Lithuanian National Drama Theatre
Event free of charge
The event is organized by Kirtima Cultural Center
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/219571402029215/
