Embassy Celebrates 25th Anniversary in Vilnius

On this date (October 2) 25 years ago, George H. Bush was the President of the United States, Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch were sending out “Good Vibrations” across American airways, and Darryl N.  Johnson opened the U.S. Embassy in Vilnius.

The first U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania, Darryl N. Johnson, 1992

The United States has long enjoyed a close friendship with Lithuania, dating back to July 28, 1922, when the U.S. established diplomatic relations with Lithuania.  The opening of the Embassy in Vilnius in 1991 marks the beginning of an important chapter in that story.

Between 1922 and 1940, the U.S. Government maintained its diplomatic presence in Kaunas, Lithuania’s interwar capital.  In total, eleven U.S. consuls served at the American Legation in Kaunas until the USSR occupied and annexed Lithuania, as well as Estonia and Latvia.

America’s steadfast refusal to recognize the forced incorporation of Lithuania into the Soviet Union continued for 51 years.  During this period, the U.S. Government permitted Lithuanian representatives accredited by the last independent government to remain in the United States with diplomatic status. 

As Vice President Joe Biden told the peoples of the Baltics when he visited Riga in August 2016, “Even when your nation’s flags could not fly here in Riga, even when they could not fly in Vilnius, even they could not fly in Tallinn, they waved proudly in Washington, D.C. ” 

Vice President Joe Biden’s address
to the peoples of the Baltics in Riga, Latvia, August 2016

The U.S. Government was proud to recognize the restoration of Lithuania’s independence on September 2, 1991, in an announcement by President George H.W. Bush.

“The Baltic peoples of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania and their democratically elected governments have declared their independence and are moving now to control their own national territories and their own destinies,” said President Bush at a news conference in Kennebunkport, Maine. “The United States has always supported the independence of the Baltic States and is now prepared immediately to establish diplomatic relations with their governments. The United States is also prepared to do whatever it can to assist in the completion of the current process of making Baltic independence a factual reality.”

Four days later, on September 6, the United States and Lithuania resumed normal diplomatic relations when U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Curtis Kamman and the Lithuanian First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Valdemaras Katkus, signed a memorandum of understanding concerning diplomatic relations.

One month from the date of President Bush’s announcement, on October 2, the U.S. Embassy in Vilnius opened.  The ribbon-cutting was led by Vice-President Dan Quayle and Darryl Johnson, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim, who soon became the first U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania.

Vice-President Dan Quayle, Prime Minister Gediminas Vagnorius, and Chargé d'Affaires ad interim Darryl Johnson at the ribbon-cutting ceremony at U.S. Embassy Vilnius, February 1992.  Also pictured: Marilyn Quayle, Deputy Prime Minister Zigmas Vaišvila, Member of Parliament Romualdas Ozolas, and Member of Parliament Kazimieras Motieka

In the 25 years since, our shared democratic values and commitment to addressing today’s global challenges have strengthened our countries’ strategic relationship. Since 1992, the U.S. Embassy has worked diligently to deepen the connections and cultural ties between our two countries.  More than 1,000 Lithuanians have visited the United States on U.S. Government-funded exchanges and returned home to help strengthen a growing and developing Lithuania.  Many others have traveled on private exchanges, studied at U.S. universities, developed business relationships, or visited friends and family in the U.S.

Since re-establishing its independence, Lithuania has taken on increasingly prominent roles in transatlantic and global institutions to meet these challenges – roles that many would be unable to predict just 26 years ago. 

In total, six Secretaries of State have visited Lithuania and in 2002, President George W. Bush visited Vilnius.  “Anyone who would choose Lithuania as an enemy has also made an enemy of the United States of America,'' President Bush told a crowd in front of City Hall. ''In the face of aggression, the brave people of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia will never stand alone again.''

The U.S. Embassy in Vilnius has vigorously supported the U.S.- Lithuania relationship for the past 25 years, under the leadership of 13 different Ambassadors, and looks forward to continuing this support for many years to come.

Vice-President Dan Quayle arrives in Vilnius, Lithuania in February 1992

Viešnagė Ukmergėje - A Visit to Ukmerge

Šiandieną Politikos ir ekonomikos skyriaus diplomatai aprašo savo kovo 9 dienos kelionę į Ukmergę.

Ambasadorės McCarthy lankymosi regionuose programa užtikrina, jog Lietuvoje dirbantys Jungtinių Amerikos Valstijų diplomatai, turėtų galimybę pažinti ne vien Lietuvos sostinę Vilnių, tačiau ir kitas šalies vietoves.  Todėl mes, Politikos skyriaus JAV diplomatas Jonathan Herzog, Politikos/Ekonomikos skyriaus specialistė  Giedra Gureviciutė-Demereckienė ir praktikantas Jacob Keller, nuvykome į Ukmergę, kur susitikome su miesto valdžios atstovais ir moksleiviais, aplankėme vaikų globos namus ir vaikų dienos centrus.  Kadangi daug girdėjome apie mokslo ir investicijų programas, todėl norėjome daugiau sužinoti, kodėl šioje savivaldybėje studentų egzaminų rezultatai pranoksta šalies vidurkį.

Susitikę  su Ukmergės miesto meru Rolandu Janicku, bei jo komanda, kalbėjomės apie miesto istoriją, tiesiogines užsienio investicijas ir socialinius bei ekonominius iššūkius.  Vėliau aplankėme Siesikų vaikų globos namus bei Siesikų gimnaziją. Kartu su gimnazijos direktoriumi Vaidotu Kalinu kalbėjomės apie savivaldybės programą, kuria siekiama didesnius vaikų namus suskirstyti į mažesnius, siekiant užtikrinti geresnes mokslo sąlygas. 

Taip pat susitikome su gimnazijos moksleiviais, su kuriais aptarėme Lietuvos ir Jungtinių Amerikos Valstijų santykius bei skirtumus. Daugelis moksleivių prisipažino su amerikiečiais bendravę pirmą kartą.  Po susitikimo likome sužavėti moksleivių anglų kalbos žiniomis. 

Grižę atgal į Ukmergę aplankėme vieną miesto vaikų  darželį.  Dienos pabaigoje miesto meras pakvietė mus skanių pietų į vieną seniausių Ukmergės restoranų.  Jų metu aptarėme turtingą regiono istoriją, pasak kurios, senovinis Ukmergės miestas pradėjo kurtis anksčiau nei dabartinė šalies sostinė Vilnius.

***

Today, members of the Embassy’s Political and Economic Section write about their March 9th visit to Ukmerge.

Ambassador McCarthy’s Regional Outreach Program ensures U.S. diplomats serving in Lithuania get to know far more about Lithuania than just its capital city, Vilnius. Recently, we -- Political Officer Jonathan Herzog, Political/Economic Specialist Giedra Gureviciute-Demereckiene, and intern Jacob Keller -- traveled to Ukmerge to meet city officials and students, and also to tour an orphanage and child day care center. We had heard a lot about the municipality’s education and investment programs, and went to discover more about the region and why its students performed above average on their testing. 

Mayor Rolandas Janickas and his team spoke with us about Ukmerge’s history, its foreign investments and social and economic issues. Next, we visited Siesiku Children’s Group Home and Siesiku School. We discussed with the school’s director, Vaidotas Kalinas, the municipality’s program to reorganize the region’s larger orphanages into smaller ones to provide for a better learning environment.  Afterwards, we met with high school students and discussed the relationship and differences between the United States and Lithuania. Many students told us this was the first time they’d met an American. We were very impressed by the students’ English skills. 

After returning to Ukmerge, we visited a local child day care center. Lastly, the Mayor hosted a delicious lunch at the oldest restaurant in Ukmerge during which we discussed the region’s interesting history, most notably, that Ukmerge emerged earlier than Vilnius as an ancient capital town. 

Los Andželo gitarų kvartetas pakerėjo Vilnių - Los Angeles Guitar Quartet Enchants Audiences in Vilnius

Kultūros reikalų asistentės Jūratės Kirvaitienės pasakojimas apie vieną iš JAV kultūros programų, vykusių Lietuvoje, kurias remia JAV ambasada. 

Vilniaus klasikinės gitaros muzikos gerbėjai galėjo pasidžiaugti reta dovana – neseniai įvykusiu „Grammy“ apdovanojimo laureatų bei JAV instrumentinės muzikos žvaigždžių - Los Andželo gitarų kvarteto, koncertu.  Ansamblio pirmąsias gastroles Lietuvoje organizavo Baltijos gitarų kvartetas, Vilniuje susikūrusi jaunų gitaros talentų grupė, įkvėpimo kūrybai besisemianti iš atvykusių svečių. Amerikiečių virtuozų vizitą Vilniuje rėmė JAV ambasada.

Los Andželo gitarų kvarteto nariai William Kanengiser, Matthew Greif, John Dearman ir Scott Tennant klausosi jauno gitaristo iš Lietuvos - Tado Umbraso

Gruodžio 15 d. Lietuvos nacionalinės filharmonijos didžiojoje salėje gausiai susirinkę klausytojai ovacijomis įvertino Amerikos gitarų muzikos virtuozus. Subtiliai bei įkvepiančiai charizmatiškųjų muzikantų pristatyta koncerto programa, atskleidė plačią žanrinę plejadą bei neįtikėtinai aukštą gitaros meistrų muzikinį lygį.  Magiško garso istorijos viena po kitos liejosi it tobulai išbaigti vaizdiniai dailininko drobėje: nuo šiuolaikinių renesanso epochos muzikos interpretacijų, meditacinio skambesio Tilmano Hoppstocko „Transcendentinės siuitos“ iki vitališkos ispaniškos pjesės, kurios aranžuotę parengė pasaulinis gitaros muzikos meistras Pepė Romero. Koncerto metu nuskambėjo ne tik nepriekaištingai sugroti kūriniai, bet ir puiki lietuvių kalba svečių lūpose.

Los Andželo gitarų kvartetas Lietuvos nacionalinės filharmonijos didžiojoje salėje Vilniuje
 (Nuotrauka: Delfi) 

Tą pačią dieną mažojoje Filharmonijos salėje kvarteto nariai susitiko su jaunais Lietuvos atlikėjais ir gitaros muzikos studentais, mokytojais bei žurnalistais, rašančiais muzikos temomis. Chris Ruebens,  Baltijos gitarų kvarteto narys, moderavo pokalbį su svečiais iš Amerikos, kurie noriai ir atvirai pasidalino savo didžiule patirtimi, įgyta per daugiau nei tris dešimtmečius įvairiose koncertinėse salėse, kaip Čikagos Orkestro salėje, Tokijo Opera City salėje, Londono Wigmore Hall salėje bei Niujorko Lincoln Center ir Carnegie Hall salėse.

Ansamblio kūrybinio kelio vingiai ne vienam susitikimo dalyviui pasirodė įkvepiantys bei užburiantys, kaip ir jų kuriama muzika.

(Iš kairės į dešinę: John Dearman, Chris Ruebens iš Baltijos gitarų kvarteto, William Kanengiser ir Matthew Greif)

***

Cultural Assistant Jurate Kirvaitiene explores one of the American cultural programs the U.S. Embassy recently supported with a small grant.

Recently, appreciative audiences in Vilnius enjoyed a rare musical gift – a chance to hear the exquisite sound of an American Grammy Award-winning, premier instrumental ensemble, the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. The quartet made its first ever visit to Lithuania at the invitation and organization of the Baltic Guitar Quartet, an international group of guitar music talents, who drew inspiration from their American peers. The U.S. Embassy was happy to award a small grant to help bring the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet to Vilnius.

William Kanengiser, Matthew Greif, John Dearman and Scott Tennant of the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet listen to Lithuanian guitar students, Tadas Umbrasas, perform

On December 15, the great hall of the National Philharmonic attracted a full house of 500 patrons, who delighted in the performance by the American guitar virtuosi, popularly known as “LAGQ.” The program presented by the charismatic and distinctive musicians transported music lovers on a magical journey through a myriad of genres and concert masterworks. It was a tapestry of the sublime: from a modern interpretation of the music of the Renaissance to the other-worldly sound of contemporary “Transcendental Suite” by Tilman Hoppstock to a buoyant rendition of a Spanish play arranged by the grand master Pepe Romero. The American guitarists also won the hearts of the audience with a perfect Lithuanian address.

LA Guitar Quartet at National Philharmonic in Vilnius (Photo: Delfi) 

Earlier that day, the Quartet also shared its mastery with Lithuanian guitar students, music teachers and journalists at the Philharmonic’s small hall. Chris Ruebens, a member of the Baltic Guitar Quartet, interviewed the four American guests – who have performed together for more than three decades in venues from Chicago’s Orchestra Hall to Tokyo’s Opera City and London’s Wigmore Hall to New York’s Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.

The story of the group’s creative genesis proved to be as inspiring and enchanting as its music.

(L to R: John Dearman, Chris Ruebens of the Baltic Guitar Quartet, William Kanengiser and Matthew Greif)

Apsilankymas Alytuje: nuo kietųjų atliekų iki vyno - A Visit to Alytus: From solid waste to sparkling wine

Šiandien ambasados Politikos ir ekonomikos skyriaus darbuotojai dalinasi savo įspūdžiais apie išvyką į Alytų    

Alytaus rajonas

Lietuvos rajonai 

                 

Ambasadorės McCarthy inicijuota išvykų į rajonus programa leidžia JAV diplomatams,  dirbantiems Lietuvoje  susipažinti ne tik su Vilniumi, bet ir su kitomis Lietuvos vietovėmis.  Neseniai mes – politikos skyriaus diplomatė Jillian Schmitt kartu su to paties skyriaus darbuotoju Sam Schmitt ir stažuotoja  Indre Žebrauskaite lankėmės Alytuje, kur susitikome su miesto vadovais, aptarėme gamtosaugos klausimus, aplankėmė rajono atliekų tvarkymo ir Alita gėrimų gamyklas.

Meras Vytautas Grigaravičius ir Vicemeras Tamulevičius susitinka  su delegacija

Meras Vytautas Grigaravičius, Vicemeras Tautvydas Tamulevičius ir mero patarėja Vilija Ramanauskienė papasakojo mums apie Alytaus pramonės istoriją, atgaivintas  žaliąsias miesto zonas ir iššūkius, su kuriais susiduria miestas tvarkydamas nuo Sovietų užsilikusias pavojingas

aplinkai atliekas. 

Mes aplankėme Alytaus rajono atliekų tvarkymo centrą, kuris perdirba kietąsias atliekas laikantis ekologinės pusiausvyros.  Į šį centrą kietosios atliekos atkeliauja iš miesto, turinčio 57,000 gyventojų ir iš šešių aplinkinių rajonų, įskaitant Birštoną, Druskininkus ir Varėną. Modernūs įrenginiai biologiškai skaido organines medžiagas  pagamindami  pakankamai metano, kurio energijos užtenka visam procesui. Miestas taip pat skatina gyventojus rūšiuoti atliekas namuose, jas kompostuoti  ir perdirbti.

Pirmas atliekų tvarkymo etapas      

 

Atliekos, kurių neįmanoma atskirti, 

perdirbti ar biologiškai suskaidyti suspaudžiamos šiukšlių kubais

                 
 
























Mes taip pat pamatėme kaip pasinaudojus ES fondų parama Alytus išvalė ir sutvarkė Dailidės ežerus ir Baltųjų rožių parkus, kurie sovietiniais metais buvo paversti šiukšlių sąvartynais.  

Po vizito atliekų centre mūsų laukė skaniau kvepianti  Alita gėrimų gamykla, kurioje susipažinome su vidiniais  regiono  ekonomikos  funkcionavimo varikliais. Taip pat pamatėme fermentacijos, pilstymo į butelius ir importavimo  procesus.  Alitoje  daromas ir pilstomas platus alkoholinių gėrimų asortimentas  - nuo putojančio vyno iki naminės degtinės.  Gamykla taip pat importuoja brendį ir konjaką iš Prancūzijos.

  Alitos gidė aiškina brendžio ir konjako skirtumus

Ši kelionė mums suteikė unikalią  galimybę pamatyti kaip praktiškai įgyvendinama gamtos apsauga. Miesto valdžia ir ambasados atstovai viliasi dar kartą susitikti Alytuje pavasarį.

***

Today, members of the Embassy’s Political and Economic Section write about a recent visit to Alytus

                                                      

Districts of Lithuania

                                         

   Alytus District

                    

Ambassador McCarthy’s Regional Outreach Program ensures U.S. diplomats serving in Lithuania get to know far more about Lithuania than just its capital city, Vilnius. Recently, we -- Political Officer Jillian Schmitt along with Political/Economic Section secretary Sam Schmitt and intern Indre Zebrauskaite -- traveled to Alytus to meet city officials, talk environmental policy and tour the regional waste management plant and the Alita brewing facilities.  

Mayor Vytautas Grigaravicius and Vice Mayor Tamulevicius Meet the Delegation

Mayor Vytautas Grigaravicius, Vice Mayor Tautvydas Tamulevicius, and Mayoral Advisor Vilija Ramanauskiene spoke with us about Alytus’ industrial history, its revitalized green spaces, and challenges, including environmental hazards left behind from Soviet occupation.  

We visited the Alytus Regional Waste Management Center (ARWMC), which is where the rubber meets the road with respect to sustainable solid waste processing.  ARWMC receives and processes solid waste from the city of 57,000 residents and six surrounding  districts, including Birstonas, Druskininkai and Varena.  These facilities are so advanced they biodegrade organic material to produce enough methane to power the entire operation. The city is also encouraging residents to sort their garbage at home, compost and recycle. 

                   

  

First Step in Processing Waste at the Plant

 Waste that cannot be separated, recycled,

or biodegraded is compressed by the

 Garbage “Cuber”

We also learned how Alytus - with the help of EU funding - was able to clean and restore the Dailide lakes and White Rose parks, which had been hazardous waste dumps during Soviet times.  

The day also included a sweeter-smelling visit to the Alita Brewing Company where we saw some of the inner workings of an economic engine for the region and learned about the company’s fermentation, importing and bottling processes. Alita brews and bottles a wide range of alcoholic drinks from sparkling wine to moonshine.  The company also imports brandy and cognac from France.  

Alita Tour Guide Explains the Difference between Brandy and Cognac

This trip provided a unique opportunity to observe environmental protection in practice. The Mayor’s Office and Embassy delegation hope for a follow-up visit in the spring.  

American Embassy Raises Funds to Stock Food Bank

On February 5th, the Embassy community organized a bake sale to raise funds for a local food bank. We're thrilled to report we were able to raise enough money for  220 pounds of rice, 200 pounds of barley, 80 pounds of chicken, 110 pounds of potatoes, 50 pounds of carrots and 50 pounds of onions!  The food went straight to the kitchen because there was a very large group waiting to eat and all they had to serve was

some cold cuts and bread. 

New Year, New Library

Well, we've had a great year, and to celebrate, the Public Affairs team at the U.S. Embassy in Vilnius has given itself a present: A brand new Facebook page for the American Center Library.

The page features the latest and greatest news from the library: new acquisitions, program announcements, events etc. We're also running a series on English language and another one on essential American food recipes. Of course, we welcome your suggestions and comments, and please, help us spread the word!

Ambassador McCarthy now on Twitter!

Did you know #Ambassador McCarthy is now on Twitter? Help us spread the word and follow today: https://twitter.com/AMB_DMcCarthy

Teaching Tolerance through English: Forging Friendships across Baltic Borders

U.S. Embassy Tallinn hosted its first “Teaching Tolerance through English” Camp from August 12-18, 2013. Twenty-five boys and girls aged 10 to 14 years from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania came together for one week to learn about diversity, how to counter bullying, and how to act as a positive force in their communities. While campers’ native languages were Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian and Russian, all activities were conducted in English. This year’s was the third camp in a series in the Baltics, with the two previous having been held in Latvia.  

Lithuanian students teach fellow Estonian and Latvian campers about their culture

Five Lithuanian students—two fifth graders and three sixth graders—from Pumpenai Secondary School attended the event, along with Ms. Olga Daugene, who provided instruction on English as a Foreign Language. They, along with their peers from Latvia and Estonia, engaged in an interactive session with U.S. Ambassador to Estonia Jeffrey Levine, through which they gained an insight into American culture, even learning to make S’mores around a campfire.

What the Secretary Said--John Kerry in Vilnius

Remarks

John Kerry
Secretary of State

U.S. Embassy Vilnius

Vilnius, Lithuania

September 7, 2013

What has taken place here in 20 years plus one is really remarkable, and I am told that back in 1992 when we were first setting up shop here after the end of the Soviet Union, they had to bring truckloads of cash down from Finland in order to be able to just pay people because there weren’t even banks. It just wasn’t even functional. And so now, you all have this incredible burgeoning economy. We have – we, the United States, and Lithuania--have a remarkable relationship which is built partly on security, partly on economics, partly on democracy, on hopes about the future.

And what really excites me is what’s happening with respect to the energy diversification, climate change efforts, the efforts to create the European Eastern Partnership. All of these things are going to guarantee that not only will this relationship stay strong and flourish, but as we go forward, the economy here is going to get stronger, the democracy here will become more entrenched, and this will become really one of the great models for transformation out of a period of just kind of crushing restraint and oppression, and I don’t even want to go back to some of the stories. In fact, as I drove up here, the Ambassador pointed out what is now a Holocaust museum that used to be a place where the KGB used to take people and terrible, terrible things went on.

So that’s the transformation. All of you are part of this amazing adventure we get to be part of. I get to be the Secretary and parachute in like this for a few hours, and I know that these visits aren’t simple and a lot of work goes into them. I also have learned that the minute I get out of here, there’s a pretty good wheels-up party – (laughter) – which I never get to share in. But I just want to say thank you to you on behalf of America, on behalf of the President, and all of us who are privileged to work for our fellow citizens. There honestly is no more rewarding kind of work.

For those of you in the consular division, you’re the face of America. Somebody walks in and they talk to you and you have an interview and they need to get a visa, and they want to either emigrate or they want to just visit or be a student and go over and study or have an opportunity to sort of touch our values and our dreams, that’s a big deal. For many of you, you may be the only American people we’ll ever see. And whether you’re a civil servant or a Foreign Service officer, you get to come to work every day and build a bridge, build a relationship, reach out to people with a set of values that we all believe in, which historically have made a huge difference to people all over the world.

That is good work. That’s a great, great job. I wish it was better paying for everybody. It’s not what we all get into this for. We’re in it because we love what we do, we love the opportunity to change people’s lives, we love the opportunity to bring America to other parts of the world, and we love to build the friendships and the relationships that go with it. And they last a lifetime and they’re worth every moment of it.

In tribute to that, the Ambassador, Deborah, was just in Afghanistan, and we’re pleased that we have a special working relationship here in Lithuania for a small country – I think it was the smallest country leadership of the PRT – and working with us and others – Georgians, I think, and some others in there – we had this tremendous PRT effort. And just the other day – we’ve now transferred that PRT, as we are now transferring and transitioning out of Afghanistan – the PRT commander honored us, all of us, and particularly the Ambassador by giving to her the flag that was flying there.

It says “The USA National Flag was waving over Forward Operating Base Shield of the Lithuanian-led Provincial Reconstruction Team in Ghor Province of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The hard work, dedication, and actions of the USA representatives directly supported and assisted the PRT to reach the goals and objectives in support of the ISAF mission,” and that’s dated 25 August 2013. Folks, that belongs to all of you, to this Embassy, to our efforts jointly, and it’s a huge statement about this wonderful relationship and participation we have.

Beer Ambassador? Not Quite, but a Great Time Was Had by All

When Don Russell, a nationally know beer columnist from Philadelphia, agreed to come to Lithuania to explore local microbrews and share the experience of American brewers, he probably didn't know his report of the trip would end up in Washington Post. 

But it did. Whether it was the great variety of Lithuanian micro- and nano-brews, or the great interest in Don's experience as a blogger and writer, or the beatiful summer day Don spent at the Pakruojis Beer Festival--there was plenty to write home about. Here some highlights Don especially enjoyed:

In Vilnius, members of the local chapter of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, the worldwide gastronomic society, agreed that the Philly beers served with a gourmet menu were at least as good as wine. So good, in fact, it took them just three hours to nearly polish off a supply of Yards and Weyerbacher that was supposed to last a full week.

At a beer festival in Pakruojis, a small town not far from the Latvian border, I was introduced to the mayor as "Donas Russellas," and the organizers let me help tap the first keg.

In a taping of a popular Lithuanian cooking show, "Virtuves Mitu Griovejai", I gobbled down an excellent Asian-spiced salmon dish that the hosts had simmered in +Yards Brewing Co. George Washington's Tavern Porter. 

At the U.S. Embassy in Vilnius, I briefed Lithuanian journalists and bloggers on the growing American microbrewery scene. Then I presented the deputy chief of mission with a +Philly.com Beer Week T-shirt, which he promptly wore at the Pakruojis festival, where we greeted more than 4,000 attendees.

At a farmhouse brewery in Joniškelis, a village 175 kilometers north of Vilnius, I was smothered in kisses by a brewer's wife (or cousin or fiancée - it was kind of lost in translation). Apparently"Virtuves Mitu Griovejai" is her favorite TV show.

"John Kerry, eat your heart out," wrote Don in his column about the trip. When you watch this video, you'll probably agree. 

Iki pasimatymo Lietuva!

Sergeant Mario Stoke, Pol/Econ intern Jon Kidd, and myself at the UNESCO Building

It is with great sadness that I must say goodbye to Lithuania. My experience working here at Embassy Vilnius has been absolutely incredible. Especially working in the Public Affairs Section, I had the opportunity to work on important projects and meet some fantastic people. I cannot thank everyone here enough for the incredible guidance and mentorship that they have offered me. The experiences that I have had here will be hard for other posts to live up to. 

Meeting Lithuanians at local gatherings. 

Experiences of a Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellow

Before I leave to go back to the States, I wanted to share with all the readers the experiences I have had as a Pickering fellow. The end of my time here in Vilnius also takes me from being a Pickering Fellow to a Pickering Alumni, as it is the final requirement of my contract with the foundation. 

To begin with, The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Programs provide funding to participants as they prepare academically and professionally to enter the United States Department of State Foreign Service. Women, members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, and students with financial need are encouraged to apply. 

2011 GFAF Esther Joe and FAF Kimberly Everett completed their internships in Kuwait City, Kuwait. They had the opportunity to be site officers for Secretary Kerry's visit and to assist with preparations for the Secretary's high-level meetings at the Bayan Palace and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

I started to prepare my application for the Fellowship in September of my senior year in college, and the application was due in February. I worked closely with the writing center, our Director of Scholarships, and the Ambassador in Residence at the University of Central Florida. After writing twenty-seven drafts of my personal statement, I finally turned in the application. I was then selected to continue the process through a writing test in which you are given two hypothetical situations or issues and  you must write about them within a certain amount of time while being supervised via Skype. After I passed this test, I was invited to Washington, D.C. to be interviewed... along with 40 other people... for 20 positions. I practiced with UCF doing mock interviews before flying out to the nation's capital. All the people I met there were incredibly impressive and qualified. I was nervous, but prepared, as I sat in a closed room in front of two professors and an Ambassador, being grilled on what the Pickering Fellowship would mean to me. A month later I was notified that I was selected as a Pickering Fellow!

Visiting Kėdainiai: Historical Memory and Rolling Hills

On May 29th, I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Kėdainiai to accompany my supervisor, PAO Jon Berger, who gave remarks at the Workshop for the Principals of the Schools with Active Tolerance Education Centers. More than 40 principals from across Lithuania, speakers, and experts from museums, universities, and members of the International Commission  attended a seminar called “Historical Memory  as the key to civil society” at the Kedainiai Multicultural center.

Jon's presentation was titled “Holocaust education programs implemented by the U.S. Embassy in Lithuania” and emphasized that the most important thing is to be able to discuss this subject openly and honestly, with everyone, at all ages.  Information on teaching tools, the most successful programs, available resources at the American Center library, and ways of future cooperation were provided for school principals. All participants were excited to hear that the U.S. Embassy will make available 1000 DVDs, one for every school in Lithuania, that contain testimonies from Holocaust survivors, translated into Lithuanian. 

The history of Lithuania is so interesting, and even though some of it is also tragic, there is so much that can be learned from this culture. It is strong, patient, and faithful. At the event, one of the people who run the Tolerance Center was kind enough to show me the small museum they have upstairs to remember those who died during the Holocaust in Kėdainiai. Pictures, clothes, books, memoirs and more revealed the sad events that took place in this city. In the top part of the museum, names of those who were lost are engraved into metal plating that goes around the entire room. This was incredibly interesting to me. In the States we have many Holocaust museums, and many people who fled Europe for saftey came to America, but I have never been to a Holocaust musuem in a location where the events actually took place, and it is a very somber and humbling experience. The Lithuanians have done a great job in commemorating those who were lost, and remembering the events in order to build, grow, and assure that it never happens again.

Homes and synagogues now lost to Kėdainiai

A video showing the tragic events that happened so long ago.

 After the event we had a little extra time to go and see the rest of Kėdainiai. The town is beautiful and is clearly influenced by many different styles of architecture. There is a river, parks, and a small square were we stopped to take photos. Everyone we met while we were there was friendly and ready to talk to us about their town. On the trip back, we drove through Babtai, which is the most beautiful natural scenery I have ever witnessed. There were wide open fields of wildflowers growing, pastures where horses were grazing, miles upon miles of beautiful rolling hills. We only saw houses every few miles, and the feeling that these lands have gone untouched since the beginning of time made me happy that the environment here is so natural. Being from the East coast of America, there is hardly any areas like that left anymore, and usually you need to go out West to see that type of nature.

Kėdainiai Square

The city was wonderful, and it was great to see more of Lithuania outside of Vilnius. I plan to visit many more cities and towns during my time here, as each one is more beautiful than the last, and they all have something different to offer. This experience was one of many, and many to come, that have made me fall in love with this country.

If I’m lucky, I’ll go back to Lithuania someday. Until then, iki!

Even after nearly a month home from Lithuania, I still think about it every day. My experience interning at the US Embassy was incomparable and I really value the opportunity I had to learn about diplomacy as well as the culture, government and history of the region.

My 12-week experience in Lithuania really flew by. I stayed busy and had the opportunity to do a myriad  things, from representing the Embassy at cultural programs and outreach visits around the country, to leading discussions at movie nights, and even dancing around Vilnius for Violence against Women awareness.  I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel to several towns and cities, including Kaunas, Kėdainiai, Tytuvėnai, Panevėžys, Šiauliai, Rokiškis, Trakai, and Marijampolė. 

I saw inconceivably beautiful cathedrals, frozen lakes and rivers, astonishing forests, and fascinating museums and cultural sights. I learned about an array of things, including the path to the restoration of independence in 1990, the Jewish history, the thriving art scene that exists in Lithuania, and so much more. This internship marked my third trip to Lithuania, but I continue to learn about and love Lithuania more and more with each stay.

My favorite part of my experience in Lithuania by far was the people. There is truly something special about those who I had the opportunity to meet in Lithuania, whether it was local staff and local interns at the Embassy, the attendees of the movie nights and other events, or the numerous students and teachers that I met during outreach visits. There was a human spirit and feeling of hospitality that is unlike anywhere else. Some of my best memories are times spent with local staff at the Embassy, like spinning eggs on the floor around Easter time and even just drinking coffee and hearing their stories. 

I was provided insight about the history, language and culture that would be impossible to learn from a class or museum, and my colleagues at the Embassy really became some of my best friends by the end of it. These relationships are invaluable and they made my internship experience and time in Lithuania all the more enriching.

This was a great opportunity to expand and grow, personally, academically and professionally. What I gained while I was there was more than I could have ever imagined or wished for and I hope that all future Embassy interns and visitors to Lithuania will have a similar great experience!

If I’m lucky, I’ll go back to Lithuania someday. Until then, iki! J

// Sara