A Young Lithuanian Leader attends the XIV World Lithuanian Youth Congress

This week's guest blogger, Aiste Zalepuga, attended the World Lithuanian Youth Congress which took place on July 1-14. Below is her assessment of the Congress meeting and short interviews given by prominent leaders who were also in attendance. 

Lithuanian youth from around the world gathered in the United Kingdom for the XIV World Lithuanian Youth Congress. Delegates from across the globe – including 11 representatives from the USA – came together to elect a new World Lithuanian Youth Association(PLJS) governing board that will execute projects proposed during the congress meetings.   

PLJS was founded in 1972 and held its first World Lithuanian Youth Congress that year. Members focused on the organization’s approach to resisting the Soviet occupation and unifying Lithuanians across the world.

Since then PLJS has grown to include 40 chapters.The World Lithuanian Youth Association attracts Lithuanians ages 16-35 and addresses issues relating to culture and education. PLJS maintains relations with governmental institutions and youth organizations. 

A Cultural Celebration! The Opening of the World Transparency International Summer School.

On July 8th, 2013, I had the opportunity to accompany our Assistant Public Affairs Officer to the British Embassy. We travelled for APAO Nina Murray to make remarks at the opening of the World Transparency International Summer School. This school is a week-long program for young people to make them aware of the causes and manifestations of corruption. There were 140 participants from over 60 countries!

A Weekend in Klaipėda

Due to the 4th of July holiday; the Embassy was closed last Thursday. The roommates and I decided to take advantage of the long weekend so that we may make a trip to the much-talked-about Klaipėda. Since we arrived, everyone has been telling us to visit this city and we were finally going to do it! We rented a flat on Tiltu Street, the main strip in Old Town. Wednesday evening we packed all our things and got on the bus to Klaipėda! 

Virtual Student Foreign Service: Helping The US Embassy from Abroad!

I would like to take a moment to share with you our Virtual Student Foreign Service. VSFS is the U.S. Department of State’s virtual eInternship program for U.S. citizen college students to contribute to the work carried out by the State Department, U.S. Agency for International Development, Broadcasting Board of Governors, and the Departments of Commerce and Agriculture.  By committing ten hours per week from September through April, selected eInterns will play an important role in advancing the federal government’s reach in diplomacy, development, journalism, trade, and agriculture initiatives, and without the need for a security clearance. 

July 4th Reception and Celebration!

On the 26th of June, the US Embassy hosted the annual July 4th Reception and Celebration at the Ambassador's home. The preparations for the event took weeks and the team that organized it did an incredible job. It began with the set-up and was followed by the receiving of guests. 

As the guests began to trickle in, they were invited to grab food or a drink before going into the Ambassador's house to be greeted by her. Not only was the Ambassador there to welcome guests, but so too was our Deputy Chief of Mission and our Defense Attaché.

Many important people came through to welcome the Ambassador and her team. As part of my job, I was lucky enough to stand behind the Ambassador to relieve her hands of any gifts that she might receive so that she may continue shaking hands. Being in this position, I was able to see each guest as they came through and give them each a smile.

After the guests were all welcomed, the Ambassador gave a speech to welcome the Lithuanian guests and their family and friends to the reception. We watched at our Marines presented the American colors before listening to the Lithuanian anthem and then the American Star Spangled Banner.

As the party continued, we were able to mingle with guests and I was incredibly grateful to meet former President Adamkus. We talked about his life in America, the Foreign Service career, and some defense topics. It was a great honor for me to meet President Adamkus during this event, who is very nice and open to meeting all Embassy staff and hearing their stories. Not only is he admirable, but he is very friendly as well!

After the party was completed, all Embassy staff pitched in to clean up the Ambassador's home before enjoying burgers and chips for a very...very late lunch. It was great to be able to spend an hour with my coworkers enjoying the warm Lithuanian day and American style burgers. It was a great starter to celebrating the actual 4th of July and the birth of our great country!

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Prior to my travels to Lithuania, I did as all travelers do: read books about the country. While perusing the my traveler’s guides, I took note of the events that would happen during my summer here. Joninės seemed like the most fun event that falls on a day that teeters between Paganism and Catholicism. On the one hand, it is also known as John's Day, as in Saint John, and we celebrate all those who are named John on this name day. On the other hand, it is also known as the Midsummer, and a large festival is held at Kernavė, an ancient settlement site, to celebrate the summer solstice. 

  

As one of our roommates is named Jon, we celebrated him throughout the day. All of us soon piled into a car and took off for Kernavė to see the big festival. I expected to see fires and dancing, but perhaps of only a hundred people or so. I was so wrong!