On Thursday, July 20, Vilnius residents and guests of the city are invited to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and JAV the cheerful event organized by the embassy in Vilnius in Washington Square "Together let's say 'thank you' to the USA!". Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevičius will congratulate those gathered to mark the historical declaration of Sumner Welles, with which the United States of America did not recognize the occupation of the Baltic States.
"The commemoration of the historic Sumner Welles declaration in Washington Square has already become a beautiful tradition - every year we organize a celebration of freedom, where we honor the historical memory and thank our allies for nurturing and supporting the hope of an independent Lithuania for decades. Today we are proud of our freedom and joyfully say "thank you" to those who have always supported us", says Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius.
The official start of the festival is at 17:00. – just like every year when ringing Lithuanian Army the flags of the Baltic countries and the USA will be raised for the orchestra, and the anthems of Lithuania and the USA will be performed. The organizers of the celebration invite residents of Vilnius and guests of the city to gather at Washington Square from 16:00 p.m. - food carts from well-known restaurants will sell American food, DJ Rimas Šapauskas will create a festive mood. From 17.30:XNUMX p.m. will be held by the wind jazz collective "Zaibas", which consists of the musicians of the groups "Mood Sellers" and "Ir visa tai ka yra gražu yražu", and the alternative music performer Migloko. The former Consul General of the Republic of Lithuania, Marijus Gudynas, who returned from Chicago, will host the event.
The Sumner Welles Declaration was issued in 1940 by then acting US Secretary of State Benjamin Sumner Welles. July 23 With this declaration, the USA officially announced to the whole world that it does not recognize the occupation of the Baltic States by the Soviet Union. This became the beginning of the policy of non-recognition of the US occupation of the Baltic States, by which the US condemned the aggression committed by the Soviet Union and supported the independence of the Baltic States.
The square located between White bridge and Lukiškiau Square, was named Washington Square in 1996, on the occasion of the then US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's visit to Lithuania. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with the Vilnius City Municipality, aims to make Washington Square a place for the gathering and expression of people who care about the strong relations between Lithuania and the United States, and invites you to hold various initiatives in this square and mark important dates for Lithuania and the United States.
