Lithuania celebrates the Day of Restoration of the State on Tuesday, commemorating the 98th anniversary since the nation declared independence from the Russian Empire on February 16, 1918.
Lithuania celebrates the Day of Restoration of the State on Tuesday, commemorating the 98th anniversary since the nation declared independence from the Russian Empire on February 16, 1918.
Commemorative events, concerts and traditional bonfires are planned across the country.
In the morning, President Dalia Grybauskaitė is presenting state awards to several dozen Lithuanian people and foreigners, and Lithuanian National Culture and Art Awards are presented in the afternoon.
At midday, flags of the three Baltic states were raised in a solemn ceremony on Daukantas Square outside the Presidential Palace, followed by the president's speech.
Sixteen symbolic bonfires will be lit on Gediminas Avenue and a concert will take place on Cathedral Square.
The February 16th celebrations will also be marked in Lithuania's other major cities: Kaunas, Klaipėda, Šiauliai and others.
On February 16, 1918, the Council of Lithuania declared Lithuania an independent and democratic country with the capital Vilnius.
BNS
