News

The XV World Lithuanian Youth Congress (WLYC) took place in Helsinki on 6-7th of July. During the congress the World Lithuanian Youth and the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania to the Republic of Finland with the congress initiators, the Finnish Lithuanian Youth organisation “SILTA” and the Lithuanian Community in Finland “SLB”, together celebrated the State Day of Lithuania – Coronation Day of King Mindaugas.

After a warm welcome at the Embassy of Lithuania, the official WLYC opening ceremony which took place at the Finland National Opera and Ballet amphitheater started with a welcoming speech by the ambassador of Lithuania to Finland Valdemaras Sarapinas. The ambassador greeted Lithuanians who arrived to Helsinki from all over the world and reminded, that not without a reason the WLYC took place in Finland when Finland’s 100-anniversary motto is “Together”. The ambassador highlighted that the initiative and motivation of youth organisations is important for strengthening national self-consciousness of Lithuanians living abroad, dissemination of Lithuanian culture with the purpose to inspire young generations of Lithuanian communities to actively continue their work abroad. The ambassador expressed his hopes, that the friendly relationships that have been established during the congress will further strengthen the connection of Lithuanians that are spread all over the world with their homeland.

Lithuanian folk dance group in Stockholm “Baltija” and Vilnius chorus “Dainos mylėtojų klubas” performed at the opening ceremony of the event. The festive evening ended with the singing of the national anthem.

On 7th of July The Archbishop Metropolitan of Vilnius, Gintaras Grušas, gave a lecture at the Embassy of Lithuania in Helsinki and in the evening hold the Holy Mass together with the priest Antanas Saulaitis in St. Henry's Cathedral. After the Holy Mass songs and cantos will perform by Vilnius chorus “Dainos mylėtojų klubas”.