HERMAN VAN ROMPUY AND JERZY BUZEK OPENED THE CELEBRATION OF LITHUANIAN INDEPENDENCE AT THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
Lithuania is celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Restoration of Independence on March 11, 1990. On this occasion the concert and the reception was held at the European Parliament in the evening of March 17. Rytis Martikonis, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Lithuanian to the EU, Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council and Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament welcomed the guests. Inaugural speech wasl delivered by Vytautas Landsbergis, President of the Supreme Council - Reconstituent Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania (1990-1992). Video.
Rytis Martikonis
Dear President of the European Parliament Mr Buzek, Dear President of the European Council Mr Van Rompuy, Dear President of the Supreme Council - Reconstituent Seimas MEP Landsbergis, Dear Commissioner, Dear Ambassadors, Dear Colleagues, Dear Compatriots,
On 11 March, 1990 Lithuanian Parliament adopted an act re-establishing Lithuania's Independence and sovereignty.
It was an act expressing the will and determination of the people of Lithuania; it was an act of freedom and an act of responsibility;
It was yet another important turn in the history of my country; it was a signal - a part I believe - of a wider geopolitical shift, asserting human dignity, democratic legitimacy and historic justice.
We are here tonight to mark the act of 11 March 1990 - and the 20 years as a blink in the long Lithuanian journey in Europe, to Europe and for Europe.
We are here tonight to listen to Lithuanian choir music in the European Parliament's hall of Yahudi Menuhin; youth choir "Aidija" is 20 and half years old: the right vintage for this special occasion! (Selected by prof. V.Landsbergis)
But - before that we are privileged and honoured to listen to three dignitaries; three men of conviction, of remarkable fulfilments and actors in the European endeavour that we cherish tonight. Please welcome Mr. Jerzy Buzek, Mr Herman Van Rompuy, Mr. Vytautas Landsbergis.
Herman Van Rompuy
Jerzy Buzek
Vytautas Landsbergis Lithuanian Chamber Youth Choir "Aidija" (conductor Romualdas Graužinis) performed musical pieces by Bronius Kutavičius and other Lithuanian composers.During the visit in Brussels, choir “Aidija" presented its programme of religious music in St.Michel church on the 16th of March.
The evening “Living History: 1990 03 11 – 2010 03 11” held at Lithuanian Permanent Representation to EU on the 11th of March was dedicated to the screening of documentary films „Tikras garsas Valstybės Atgimimo 1989-1993“ by Domantas Vildžiūnas and „Lithuania and the Collapse of USSR“ by Jonas Mekas.
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