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LITHUANIA

ANTHEMTautiška giesmė (The National Hymn) is the national anthem of Lithuania, also known by its opening words "Lietuva, Tėvyne mūsų" (official translation of the lyrics:"Lithuania, Our Homeland", literally: "Lithuania, Our Fatherland") and as "Lietuvos himnas" (Hymn of Lithuania). The music and lyrics were written in 1898 by Vincas Kudirka, when Lithuania was still part of the Russian Empire. The fifty-words poem was a condensation of Kudirka's conceptions of the Lithuanian state, the Lithuanian people, and their past. Shortly before his death in 1899, the anthem was performed for Lithuanians living in Saint Petersburg, Russia.The first public Lithuanian performance of the anthem took place in Vilnius in 1905, and it became the official national anthem in 1919, a year after Lithuania declared its independence. Following the occupation and annexation of Lithuania by the Soviet Union in 1940, the anthem was forbidden to be played or sung in public.

POPULATIONThe name of Lithuania – Lithuanians – was first mentioned in 1009. Among its etymologies there are a derivation from the word Lietava, for a small river, a possible derivation from a word leičiai, but most probable is the name for union of Lithuanian ethnic tribes ('susilieti, lietis' means to unite and the word 'lietuva' means something which has been united). The primary Lithuanian state, the Duchy of Lithuania, emerged in the territory of Lietuva, the ethnic homeland of Lithuanians. At the birth of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (GDL), ethnic Lithuanians made up about 70% of the population.With the acquisition of new Ruthenian territories, this proportion decreased to 50% and later to 30%. By the time of the largest expansion towards Kievan Rus' lands, at the end of the 13th and during the 14th century, the territory of the GDL was about 800,000 km2, of which 10% was ethnically Lithuanian. The actual numbers of habitants in Lithuania is 2.929.323.

FLAGThe flag of Lithuania consists of a horizontal tricolor of yellow, green and red. It was adopted on March 20, 1989, almost two years before the re-establishment of Lithuania's independence and more than three years before the collapse of the Soviet Union. It was first used in Lithuania's first period of independence (in the 20th century) from 1918 to 1940, which ceased with the occupation first by Soviet Russia and Lithuania's illegal annexation into the Soviet Union, and then by Nazi Germany (1941–44). During the post-WW2 Soviet occupation, from 1945 until 1989, the Soviet Lithuanian flag consisted first of a generic red Soviet flag with the name of the republic, then changed to the red flag with white and green bars at the bottom.

CLIMATEThe climate of the Lithuania can be described as typical European continental influenced climate with warm, dry summers and fairly severe winters. January is the coldest month with daytime temperatures usually around -5°C, but in some cases winter months can be quite colder with temperatures far below zero, about -20°C or lower and strong, cold north easterly winds. Heavy snowfall or even snow storms are also possible on some days. The weather is often breezy and humid due to the proximity of the Baltic Sea.

old CURRENCY

The Lithuanian litas was the currency of Lithuania, until 1 January 2015, when it was replaced by the euro. It was divided into 100 centų (genitive case; singular centas, nominative plural centai). The litas was first introduced on 2 October 1922 after World War I, when Lithuania declared independence and was reintroduced on 25 June 1993, following a period of currency exchange from the ruble to the litas with the temporary talonas then in place.The name was modeled after the name of the country (similar to Latvia and its lats). From 1994 to 2002, the litas was pegged to the U.S. dollar at the rate of 4 to 1. The litas was pegged to the euro at the rate of 3.4528 to 1 since 2002. The euro was expected to replace the litas by January 1, 2007, but persistent high inflation and the economic crisis delayed the switch. On 1 January 2015 the litas was switched to the euro at the rate of 3.4528 to 1. The actual currency is the Euro (€)

Dalia GrybauskaitEDalia Grybauskaitė (Lithuanian pronunciation, born 1 March 1956) is the President of the Republic of Lithuania, inaugurated on 12 July 2009 and re-elected in May 2014. She is the country's first female President and the first to be elected for a second term.She was Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Finance, also European Commissioner for Financial Programming and the Budget from 2004 to 2009. She is often referred to as the "Iron Lady" or the "Steel Magnolia".

 Algirdas Butkevičius

The Prime Minister of Lithuania is the head of Lithuania's government, and is chosen by the Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas. The modern office of Prime Minister was established in 1990, although the official title was "Chairperson of the Council of Ministers" until 25 November 1992. The post was established during the turmoil surrounding the Soviet Union's collapse, and was organized by Sąjūdis, a multi-party coalition in favour of Lithuanian independence.Historically, the title of Prime Minister was also used between 1918 and 1940. This was during the original Republic of Lithuania, which lasted from the collapse of the Russian Empire until the country's annexation by the Soviet Union.

Amber in nidaThe Baltic region is home to the largest known deposit of amber, called Baltic amber or amber from the Baltic, where it is concentrated about 80% of the world amber known. Its origin dates from between 35 and 40 million years ago.Baltic amber is distinguished by the numerous fossils, which are among the oldest in amber.

HISTORY OF LITHUANIA

In 1918, Lithuania was re-established as a democratic state. It remained independent until the outset of World War II. Following a brief occupation by Nazi Germany after the Nazis waged war on the Soviet Union, Lithuania was again absorbed into the Soviet Union for nearly 50 years. In 1990–91 Lithuania restored its independence and joined the NATO alliance in 2004 and the European Union as part of its enlargement in 2004.

Basic historyThe first written record of the name for the country dates back to 1009, later neighboring lands were conquered and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was established in the 13th century. It was one of the last areas of Europe to adopt Christianity. In 1385, the Grand Duchy formed a dynastic union with Poland through the Union of Krewo. Afterwards, the Lithuanians lived under the rule of the Russian Empire until the 20th century.

Early settlement

Kernavė mounds

The first humans arrived at the end of the last glacial period. They came from two directions: the Jutland Peninsula and from present-day Poland. They brought two different cultures. In the 8th millennium, the climate became much warmer, and forests developed. During the 6th–5th millennium BC, various animals were domesticated and dwellings became more sophisticated in order to shelter larger families. Agriculture did not emerge until the 3rd millennium BC due to a harsh climate and terrain and a lack of suitable tools to cultivate the land. Crafts and trade also started to form at this time.

Before statehood

Baltic tribes around 1200. The first Lithuanian people were a branch of an ancient group known as the Balts. The main tribal divisions of the Balts were the West Baltic Old Prussians and Yotvingians, and the East Baltic Lithuanians and Latvians. The Balts spoke forms of the Indo-European languages. Today, the only remaining Baltic nationalities are the Lithuanians and Latvians, but there were more Baltic groups or tribes in the past.

Baltic tribes

Past and Present: Lithuanian history

LITHUANIA’S MUSIC

Some of the most important Lithuanian musicians are:

Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis was a Lithuanian painter, composer and writer.

Čiurlionis contributed to symbolism and art nouveau and was representative of the end

of siècle epoch. He has been considered one of the pioneers of abstract art in

Europe.During his short life he composed about 400 pieces of music and created

about 300 paintings.

Andrius Pojavis is a Lithuanian singer-songwriter. On 20 December 2012, he was

selected to represent Lithuania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2013, which was held in Malmö, Sweden on 18 Mayó 2013.

Alina Orlova (Lithuanian: Alina Orlovskaja, Polish: Alina Orłowska, born June 28, 1988) is a Lithuanian poetry singer and musician. She is of mixed Polish-Russian heritage.

LITHUANIA’S CULTURE

LITHUANIA’S TYPICAL DANCES

A lot of couples dancing on the streets of Vilnius, Lithuania, to

the rhythm of folk melodies performed with traditional

instruments. This expression of art that invades the streets

in late May Skamba part of the festival, Skamba Kankliai,

gains popularity every year. The festival is held for three decades and during it there

are outdoor concerts and all kinds of art exhibitions taking place in the historic town of

Vilnius .

Lithuanian folklore reflects the characteristics of people and their customs. Ritual dances, traditional dances, cheerful and carefree as Sadutė-dance ritual wedding - Šustas festi-dance and traditional Sukčius Dance with the

Dzūkija- Region. The sets are also popular folklore. The national song festival takes place every five years. This festival brings together many

groups and thousands of attendees and is held every year in the capital of Lithuania. The festival lasts three days. The last festival was held in 1998.

Trakai Castle

LANDMARKS IN LITHUANIAGreen lakes

Gediminas tower

Ninth FortSaint Anna's church

VILNIUS Lithuania´s capital

VILNIUS

Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania and its largest city, with a population of 539,939 as of 2014. Vilnius is located in the southeast part of Lithuania and is the second largest

city in the Baltic States, after Riga

Administratively, it houses the city of Vilnius and Vilnius district. It is also the capital of the province of Vilnius. Besides being the capital and most populous city, Vilnius is of importance in terms

of the national media, art, fashion, research industries, technology, education and entertainment.

The first written mention of Vilnius dates from 1323, letters of King Gediminas. Its historic center or "Old Town", one of the

largest and best preserved medieval quarters of Eastern Europe, was considered as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994. In

2009, it was European Capital of Culture title shared with the Austrian city of Linz.

LANDMARKS IN VILNIUS

LITHUANIAN ART

THE MO ST IMPORTANT PA INTERS WERE ANTANAS ŽMUIDZ INAV IČ IUS

, M IKALOJUS KO NSTA NT INA S Č IURL ION IS , ZOMA BA ITLER AND

SAMUEL GRO DZENSKY.

Antanas Žmuidzinavičius was a famous painter

and a collector of Lithuanian paints. He

organised the first exhibition of art in

Lithuania . The most important paintings of

Antanas Žmuidzinavičius are Gavo laišką ,

Paskutiniai spinduliai and Estijos peizažas

Antanas Žmuidzinavičius

He was a painter , drawer , diplomatic

and reporter , he was uruguayan but his

nationality was Lithuanian. He studied painting and drawing with Paul Kaufman.

Zoma Baitler

He was a painter who was born in Lithuania . He began his studies

when he was 13 years old , he discovered the original technique , the Artelanismo . He was founding member of the association of the artists and sculptors.

Two of his Works are in the museum of Tel-Aviv.

Samuel Grodzensky

LITERATURE

He was a Lithuanian poet and physician, and the author of both the music and lyrics of the

Lithuanian National Anthem, Tautiška

giesmė. He was regarded as a National

Hero in Lithuania

VINCAS KUDIRKA

She was born in Lithuania . She studied

beaux arts in Vilnius where she published her

first book. Agnė Marcinkevičiūte made a documentary about her

life.

Jurga Ivanauskaitė

She was a writer , literature critic, translator

and Lithuanian diplomatic. She spread

the Latin American literature in oriental

Europe. One of her works is : “Demain, il n'y aura

plus de trains “.

Ugné Karvelis

Cinema

He is a Lithuanian film – maker who emigrated in 1949. He is one of the

most important in experimental cinema.

Some of his works are : Guns of the Trees, Report

from Millbrook, Cassis.

Jonas Mekas

FUN

It is a type of animated fountain for

entertainment purposes that creates an aesthetic design.   This is achieved by employing the effects

of timed sound waves and timed light against

water particles. The water refracts

and reflects the light, and in doing so, three-

dimensional images can be produced.

MUSICAL FOUNTAIN

It is the fourth biggest city from Lithuania.

The capital of Šiauliai Country is Šiauliai.

In the ninteenth century, it was the

administrative centre from this area.

Šiauliai Country

It´s a tower on Vilnius ( capital of Lithuania ).

The tower was damaged in 1965 but it was

repaired in 1930 to build a museum.

It is considered an emblem for the city and the country.It appears in the national coin and in many poems and songs.

Gediminas tower

Ninth Fort

Between 1914 y 1924, it was a military fort but in 1924 it was a prison. Nowadays, it is a

museum with exhibitions about the history of the fort and

the country.

SPORT IN LITHUANIA

Basketball is the most important sport

Basketball is the most popular sport in Lithuania. In fact , the national team has achieved the European Basketball Championship three times ( 1937 , 1939 and 2003 ), three second places (1995 , 2013 and 2015) , bronze (2007 ) ; three Olympic bronze medals (Barcelona 1992 , Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000) and seventh place in 1998 and 2006 and a bronze medal in 2010 at the World Basketball Championship . According to the classification of FIBA , the Lithuanian selection occupies the 4th place in the world .

The most important basketball club BC Žalgiris Kaunas is winning Euroleague (1999 ) , a European Championship (1998 ) and 12 Lithuanian League ( LKL ) . It was also a symbol of resistance against USSR in the 80s , winning 5 League against CSKA Moscow.

Arvydas Sabonis (1964) is the most famous and the best ever Lithuanian former basketball player. His best achievements are: 3 times SSSR champion,  2 times European champion, 1 time World champion and 1 time Olympic Champion, one of the greatest centers in the world from 1980 to the end of its sportsmen career in 2003.

FAMOUS ATHLETES

Šarūnas Marčiulionis (1964) is one of the best former Lithuanian basketball players and one of the first European players which was asked to play in NBA. His best achievements are: 1 time SSSR Junior Champion, 1 time European Junior champion, 1 time Olympic Champion, 2 times European vice champion.

Šarūnas Jasikevičius (1976) – Lithuanian basketball player, 4 times Euro league champion,  2 times Spanish Champion, 2 times Israel champion,  1 time Europe champion and 1 time Greece champion. Right now is playing in Athens “Panathinaicos” club.

In Winter… Ice fishing in Lithuania

With the arrival of polar cold , thousands of amateur fishermen turn to ice Kuršiai Lagoon near Kapipeda , Lithuania, small smelt fishing (also known as chaplains)

GASTRONOMY

National Dish: Cepelinai

It is made with mashed potatoes and stuffing of minced meat , accompanied by curd cheese or mushrooms.

Lithuanian Cuisine

Lithuanian cuisine has much in common with its Baltic neighbours and, in general, Northern countries. It also shares some traditions with Polish, Ukranian, Hungarian, German and Georgian cuisines as well as Ashkenazi cuisine.

Some traditional Lithuanian dishes are: rye bread, cold beet soup, potato sausages, pancakes and different types of dishes made from potatoes, mushrooms, various grains and milk.

Drinks