Lithuania's Independence Restoration Day
Cleveland City Hall
March 13, 2026

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 Greater American Lithuanian Community in Cleveland commemorated and celebrated its independence, spirit, and culture on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Cleveland City Hall Rotunda. The program began with a welcome from Mistress of Ceremonies Gaja Milevicius.

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Gaja Milevicius

Reverend Andrew Morkunas

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A representative of Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb presented a proclamation.

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Councilman Michael Polensek

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Global Cleveland CEO Joe Cimperman

Tobias Engle

Ingrida Bublys

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Honorable General Consul of the Republic of Lithuania,
Regimantas Jablonskas from Chicago

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Members of the Lithuanian Folk Dance Group Svyturys

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Rev. Andrew Morkunas, Ingrida Bublys and
Consul General Regimantas Jablonskas

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Consul General Regimantas Jablonskas and
Honorary Lebanese Consul Zeina Charif

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Members of the Polish, Slovenian and Ukrainian communities
with Consul Jablonskas and Ingrida Bublys

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Colombian representatives

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East Cleveland Mayor Sandra Morgan and Cleveland representative

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Young international Global Cleveland visitors

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Ingrida Bublys and Consul General Jablonskas with Svyturys dancers

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