Lithuania's Foreign Minister, Kęstutis Budrys, awarded honorary medals to members of the Lithuanian diaspora and diaspora organisations on Monday, to mark World Lithuanian Unity Day and Lithuanian Heritage School Day, the foreign ministry said.
"You are the ones who not only preserve our language and traditions, but also help chart Lithuania's course on the international stage – whether through safeguarding cultural heritage, civic engagement, or the sense of responsibility that brings people together in shared service. Through your efforts, Lithuania stays alive wherever a Lithuanian may be, and your initiatives contribute to our country's resilience and growth," Budrys said.
The ministry's medal was awarded for outstanding contributions to promoting Lithuanian identity abroad, encouraging the involvement of diaspora Lithuanians in the country's life, and building prosperity in their homeland.
Among this year's recipients are Sigita Balzekas, president of the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture (US); Beatričė Beliavciv, a longstanding advocate of Lithuanian-Ukrainian ties (Ukraine); composer Kęstutis Jonas Daugirdas, director of the Chicago Lithuanian youth choir Polėkis (US); Dalia Doniela, long-time editor of the weekly newspaper Mūsų Pastogė (Australia); Janete Jakatanvisky, one of the leaders of the Lithuanian community in Brazil; and Romas Jonušonis, director of the Toronto Lithuanian folk dance ensemble Gintaras (Canada).
