Lithuanian foreign minister honours diaspora members and organisations

Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys presented honorary medals to members of the Lithuanian diaspora and diaspora organisations on Monday during ceremonies marking World Lithuanian Unity Day and Lithuanian Heritage School Day. The awards were announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighting the vital role of diaspora communities in preserving Lithuanian identity and contributing to the nation’s global presence. The ceremony took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vilnius, with awards given to individuals currently in Lithuania. Recipients included prominent figures such as Sigita Balzekas, president of the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture in the United States; Beatričė Beliavciv, a Ukrainian advocate for Lithuanian-Ukrainian relations; and Kęstutis Jonas Daugirdas, director of the Chicago Lithuanian youth choir Polėkis. Others honored were Dalia Doniela, a long-time editor of the Australian weekly newspaper Mūsų Pastogė; Janete Jakatanvisky, leader of the Lithuanian community in Brazil; and Romas Jonušonis, director of the Toronto Lithuanian folk dance ensemble Gintaras. A comprehensive list of recipients includes individuals from multiple countries, reflecting the broad reach of the Lithuanian diaspora. Among them are Nikolajus Juozeliūnas, commander of Norway’s 316th Sea Scout Company; Renata Kanarskaja, a member of the Kyiv Maironis Lithuanian community and a teacher at its heritage school; Viktorija Kašubaitė Matranga, an independent researcher and curator of Lithuanian émigré cultural heritage; and Ramutė Kemeža-Kazlauskas, a member of the Lithuanian American Community council and the US Lithuanian charity Saulutė. Additional names include Rita C. Kliorys, a promoter of Lithuanian musical culture; Rasa Irena Kuras, a figure in the Canadian Lithuanian community; and Antanas and Lilija Kušeliauskas, long-standing patrons of the US Lithuanian community. The award list also features notable contributors such as Ramunė Lapas, former editor-in-chief of the newspaper Draugas; Juozas Liubinskas, a community figure in the US; and Audrė Lukoševičiūtė, a teacher and director of the Maironis Lithuanian Saturday School in New York. Other honorees include Nerija Orentas, an activist and supporter of the US Lithuanian community; Zita Elisabeth Petkus, a board member of the Lithuanian community in Washington State and founder of the newspaper Tulpė Times; and Gintaras Alfonsas Placas, a long-time member of the Lithuanian Scouts Association in the US. The ceremony also recognized several organisations, including the Lithuanian Opera of Chicago; the Chicago Mothers’ Foundation, which supports charitable children’s health and welfare projects in Lithuania; the Lithuanian Hall in Baltimore; and the Lithuanian Heritage Museum in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. These institutions play a crucial role in maintaining cultural ties and fostering educational and social connections between Lithuania and its diaspora communities. Budrys emphasized the importance of diaspora contributions, stating that they help preserve Lithuanian language and traditions while enhancing the country’s influence internationally. He noted that these efforts support national resilience and growth, ensuring that Lithuania remains vibrant and connected to its global diaspora. Some recipients will receive their awards through Lithuania’s diplomatic missions, as they are unable to attend the ceremony in person. This approach ensures that all deserving individuals are acknowledged, regardless of their location.