Lithuanian Independence Day Event Lithuanian American Club
877 East 185th St. Cleveland February 18, 2024
As World War I ended, Lithuania's Act of Independence was signed on February 16, 1918, founding the modern Republic of Lithuania. On March 11, 1990, a year before the formal dissolution of the Soviet Union, Lithuania passed the Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania, becoming the first Soviet republic to break away when it proclaimed the restoration of its independence.
The Lithuanian community of Cleveland Ohio USA gathered at their Lithuanian Club on February 18, 2024 to celebrate independence.
The program began with the singing of the national anthems and a short prayer. Next, Chairman Algis Gudenas gave his remarks - first in Lithuanian and then in English. Next Honorary Consul to Lithuania Ingrida Bublys spoke and then Cleveland Councilman Mike Polensek gave his remarks.
NOTE: All the images below with a white arrow in the middle are videos. (The other images are just photos) You can click on the white arrow to watch the video of whatever is described. Make sure your speakers are on and you can make the video full screen once it begins by clicking the icon in the lower right corner.
Master of Ceremonies
Rita Balys leading the national anthems
Invocation
Algis Gudenas
Ingrida Bublys
Councilman Mike Polensek
Algis Gudenas and Mike Polensek with Proclamation
The keynote speaker was Andy Fedynsky, Ukrainian activist and Director of the Ukrainian Museum Archives in Cleveland. Andy told about the parallels between Lithuania and Ukraine and their communities over the last 100 years and beyond. He spoke about the Captive Nations, Cleveland Cultural Gardens and the importance of the ethnic communities. Here are some of his remarks.
Andy Fedynsky speaking
Andy Fedynsky, Mike Polensek, Algis Gudenas and Dr. Taras Mahlay
3 young men from the St Casimir Lithuanian School in Cleveland read (in Lithuanian) remarks about the 1918 reestablishment of Lithuania's Independence.
Dr. Taras Mahlay, teacher at Hryhory Kytasty Cleveland School of Bandura, and two of his students, Vasik Kmiotek and Makar Lopata, performed on the bandura. Dr. Mahlay said that the bandura is a Ukrainian plucked-string folk-instrument usually with 55 strings.
Dr. Taras Mahlay
This first song is called Brothers in Arms.
The second song was a solo by Vasik Kmiotek (middle in photo) performed this song which translates to the Flower.
The finale was all three performing this last song, Echo of the Steps, written by their school's founder.
Youngsters from Svyturiukai Lithuanian Folk Dance Group sang in Lithuanian and danced.
Honorary Consul of Lithuania Ingrida Bublys was surprised by a video and dance tribute.
Honoring Ingrida Bublys
Youngsters from Svyturiukai Lithuanian Folk Dance Group performed this grand finale dance and then went out in the audience and brought back adults to join them for a dance and song.
Youngsters from Svyturiukai Lithuanian Folk Dance Group
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