Lithuania celebrated the Millennium of its name with great pomp Monday. Outgoing President Valdas Adamkus adressed the visting monarchs and presidents gathered on the Daukanto Square for 'King Mindaugas Coronation Day'.
To celebrate the Millennium, Vilnius is visited by Queen Margarethe II of Denmark, King Harald V of Norway, and King Carl Gustaf XVI and Queen Silvia of Sweden.
"In 1009 five letters were written by the hand of a convent nun: LITUA. These letters signified the name of Lithuania (Lietuva)." Adamkus underlined that the birth of a nation, like the birth of a person, is symbolized by a name. "The emergence of the name of Lithuania witnesses the historical beginnings of a political community and national self-awareness."
According to the President, "Lithuania, then and today, is not just a territorial area - it is its people who are aware of belonging to one single nation. This awareness is conveyed not only inside the country, but also through its links with the outside world, which make us richer in knowledge and spirit".
The celebrations started with a flag Hoisting Ceremony on the Daukanto Square and the address by the president after which the guests attended Holy Mass at Vilnius Cathedral. President Adamkus then opened the rebuild Palace of Rulers of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
In the afternoon the royal and other guests watched "The Song of the Centuries" concert in Vingio Park. After the concert, the President of Lithuania hosted a gala reception in the courtyard of the Presidential Palace, dedicated to the Millennium of the First Mention of the Name of Lithuanian in Written Records and the Lithuanian State Day (King Mindaugas Coronation Day).
King Carl XVI Gustaf was one of the speakers there. Other guests were presidents Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson of Iceland, Valdis Zatlers of Latvia, Lech Kaczyski of Poland, Viktor Yushchenko of Ukraine, Tarja Halonen of Finland, prime minister Andrus Ansip of Estonia, and president Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia.
© GPD; Photos by © GPD AP
That is a great Gathering of the Scandinavian Royals for the Celebration of the Millenium of of Lithuania's name!
They all look very good and happy!
Congratulations to the Lithuanians on this great Day!
God bless Lietuva!
Posted by: Cornelius (James) Krissilas | July 07, 2009 at 05:38 AM