CURRENT  EVENTS

A CELEBRATION OF LITHUANIAN PRIDE
MIXED WITH SUNSHINE

from the Lithuanian Days Committee, Los Angeles,CA

The delicious aroma of kugelis baking, the music of laughter and a familiar folk song fill the air. Beautiful vast displays of amber, ethnic art, and an array of homemade baked goods are tempting every imagination. Smiles upon native costumed singers and dancers are seen as spontaneous singing and dancing take place throughout. Old relationships are renewed and enjoyed while new friendships are cultivated. Is this just another beautiful day in Vilnius? Hard to believe that all of this joyous celebration of Lithuanian heritage, culture, and traditions, "Lithuanian Days", takes place yearly in sunny Los Angeles, California the first weekend of each October.

Started in 1986 by Lithuanian native, Edvardas Kulikauskas, to celebrate Lithuanian pride, heritage, and culture, Los Angeles Lithuanian Days are currently anticipating a successful 12th festival. Victor Ralys, the director of the Lithuanian Days, is striving to make certain that the festival not only continues but flourishes with yearly variation and additions.

Lithuanian culture, art, entertainment, refreshments and history are readily available. Each year new Lithuanian artisans of various media are featured, including: folk arts, weavings, oils, woods, ceramics and sculptures. Lithuanian fashions, books, records, tapes, stamps, coins, medals and souvenirs are available. Whatever is your Lithuanian pleasure, it can certainly be found at the fair.

All traditional Lithuanian foods and drinks are available and enjoyed. One can eat with friends at the fair and even take home a snack or two for future indulgence. One can never get enough kugelis, which is the breakfast of Lithuanian champions and our very own soul food. Marguciai (the art of Lithuanian Easter egg dyeing) is featured each year and is very popular with the adults as well as the children.

The culture and entertainment portion of the fair presents a wide array of musical, singing, and dancing talent from around the world. In the past, singers and dancers of all ages from Lithuania, Canada, and various U.S. cities have graced the festival stage to share their ethnic pride and talents. Lithuanians worldwide have attended the fair including several members of Lithuanian communities from Australia, Canada and Europe.

This year's fair, to be held October 3rd and 4th, will feature the talents of folk dancers from Canada, a theatrical children's group from Lithuania, the Knights of Lithuania Choir based in Chicago, as well as Los Angeles host talents: the St. Casimir's Church Choir, the Los Angeles Men's Quartet and Spindulys Dance Ensemble. A Saturday night dance (Subatvakaris) will feature the energetic rock band Ţibas from Chicago.

This year, in celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Knights of Lithuania's Los Angeles council, the organization will be honored as the theme of this year's fair. Concurrently with the fair, the Knights of Lithuania Mid-America District members will be holding their district meeting, the first meeting to be held in the western states. Faustas Strolia and Al Brazis will be the honored grand marshals. If you have any questions regarding the Los Angeles Lithuanian Days Fair, please do not hesitate to contact Maryte Sepikas at (818) 782-1248.

READING, WRITING, and 'RITHMETIC...
SEPTEMBER IS EDUCATION MONTH

See "Lithuanian-American Children Gear up for Lithuanian School" for a more detailed look at the Lithuanian schools in the United States.

Governor Jim Edgar, of Illinois, sponsored a reception in honor of Ethnic Language Schools at the James R. Thompson Center. Over 100 schools, representing 30 ethnic communities, received the Governor's award for their dedication and commitment as an Ethnic Language School. Pictured left to right: Donna Mulcahy Fitts, Executive Director - Office of the Governor; Ruta Mockus, Chicago Lithuanian Cultural School; Pat Michalski, Assistant to the Governor for Ethnic Affairs.

Laura Lynn Ryan, wife of Illinois Secretary of State George H. Ryan, and Ms. Darlene Kelly, Director of Recreational Therapy at Shriners Hospital in Chicago, accept books from Lithuanian children representing the Lithuanian American Community, Inc. Mrs. Ryan visited patients at Shriners Hospital and read a book to the parents and children representing 21 countries who also donated books to the hospital in their native languages. Pictured left to right: (front row) Adomas Jonaviciµs, Aleksas Siliunas, Daiva Siliunas, Jadvyga Jonavicius; (back row) Ms. Kelly, Mrs. Ryan.

SOCIETY  EFFORTS HONORED

The former president of Lithuania, Vytautas Landsbergis, Parliament members, Bishop Juozas Zemaitis and other Lithuanian dignitaries honored 23 members and friends of the Lithuanian Citizens Society of Western Pennsylvania during their visit to Lithuania from July 9th to the 23rd. They took part in the consecration of the new Cathedral of the Visitation of Mary in Vilkaviskis

The Society was responsible for shipping the Stations of The Cross and the pipe organ from St. Casimir's Catholic Church (which recently closed) from Pittsburgh to Lithuania.

CROSSROADS '98

by Biruté –indasiene

Lithuanian Mercy Lift (LML) is at a crossroads now in its eighth year of commitment. LML has held a firm resolve in its goals of providing medical supplies to hospitals in Lithuania. This year's fundraiser - Crossroads '98 - will help continue this work.

In a country struggling to sustain its health care system while rebuilding itself after 50 years of communism, it is also challenged with the epidemic of tuberculosis, drug and alcohol addiction, as well as raising awareness of the deadly AIDS virus. The profit from Crossroads '98 will fund the Lithuanian Mercy Lift war on tuberculosis by supplying drugs to treat every TB patient in Lithuania!

LML faces these health crises with optimism. Their supporters share this commitment and have been able to help ship a total of $75 million worth of medical supplies - a total of 305 containers - to Lithuania. Every patient who has recovered with their supporters help thank them and LML thanks them, too.

This year, the Crossroads '98 fundraiser will be held September 12th at the historic Chicago Cultural Center in downtown Chicago. Lithuania's First Lady, Mrs. Alma Adamkus, will be attending the event. In addition, LML is offering exciting raffle prizes: two round-trip airline tickets from Chicago to Vilnius donated by American Travel Service and Scandinavian Airlines; a three-night Caribbean cruise for two; $1,000 cash; and $250 cash. Those interested in further information regarding reservations or LML, please call (708) 442-8297 or (630) 257-6777

NEWS FROM LITHUANIA...

VETRA RETURNS HOME

Vetra, the first ship of Lithuania's navy to sail across the Atlantic Ocean, returned to Klaipeda navy port's quay on August 18th after sailing to Boston to join the 200th anniversary festivities of the U.S. sailing vessel Constitution.

Vetra's, crew, under Captain Lieutenant Vytautas Mogenis' command, regarded this experience as important because the crew acquired knowledge that would be of use in joint exercises of the Baltic marine squadron (BALTRON). The boat itself was fit for sailing under any weather conditions - carrying rescue, navigation and radio communications means.

Beside some 50 servicemen, the crew also included mechanics, navigation, and geography students from the Seafaring Institute of Klaipé¤ and Vilnius universities.

During the pre-World War II period, no Lithuanian warship had sailed across the Atlantic Ocean. Since 1994, the farthest itinerary of warships was the Northern Sea.

WILLIAMS OFFICIALS VISIT LITHUANIA

A delegation of the U.S.-based Williams company headed by the company vice president Steve Hunkus visited Mazeikiu oil refinery on August 27th. Williams representatives met top refinery officials and trade union leaders, presented investment plans to the Lithuanian oil sector, and discussed future job problems.

Hunkus also visited Butinge oil terminal, where he inspected construction and met terminal authorities to exchange information. He also met Conservative Party and Center faction representatives and presented the company's plans for Lithuania.

This autumn Seimas (Parliament) is to decide whether to approve the letter of intent signed between the Lithuanian government and Williams company at the end of July.

RUSSIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS WILL NOT AFFECT LITHUANIA

Prime Minister Gediminas Vagnorius dismissed fears that the financial crisis in Russia could spill over into Lithuania, all national dailies reported on August 28th.

"There are no economic reasons for the Russian financial crisis spilling over into Lithuania", Vagnorius said in a news conference. What the premier is worried about is "sensational statements" and "scare stories about a crisis" by "some politicians or politicking experts" who want to make the best of the situation.

Vagnorius said the government started gearing up for possible turmoil on the Russian financial market when the first signs of a crisis showed up in spring. First of all, it began accumulating financial reserves. Lithuanian foreign currency reserves rose by 600 million US dollars in the first seven months of this year and the reserve exceeds the total foreign debt including all guarantees, according to Vagnorius. Also "we have accumulated a reserve of budgetary funds and cash, and may use the money any time," Vagnorius was quoted.

Source: ELTA News Agency

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