Lithuania is celebrating a 20-year anniversary of its membership in NATO, with events planned in Vilnius and other towns across the country.
Lithuania officially joined the military alliance on March 29, 2004.
On Friday morning, an enormous 540-square-meter NATO flag was hoisted atop Vilnius’ TV Tower, Lithuania’s tallest structure. Depending on weather conditions, it is planned to be raised daily throughout the week.
The Defence Ministry has said that the 20th anniversary of NATO membership will be marked with a celebration ceremony on Daukanto Square in front of the Presidential Palace in Vilnius at noon.
“Two Mirage fighter aircraft of the French Air Force from the current rotation of the NATO Air Policing Mission and four helicopters of the US Air Force, two Black Hawk and two Chinook, will congratulate the audience with a fly-past during the event,” it said in a press release.
All Lithuanian municipalities have been invited to hoist Lithuanian and NATO flags “in demonstration of the importance of Lithuania’s membership in the alliance to all the people of Lithuania”.
An artistic installation titled #WeAreNATO20 will be unveiled in the central Cathedral Square of Vilnius on Firday evening.
The Energy and Technology Museum is opening on Friday an interactive exhibition titled November. Alpha. Tango. Oscar. to mark the 20th anniversary of NATO membership.
The exhibition, which will be run until the end of the year, offers visitors “to try four interactive simulations: of a parachute, UAV jamming, communications security and firing”, according to the ministry.
On April 13, the public is invited to join the Runway Run tribute run in the Lithuanian Air Force’s base in Šiauliai.
Its runway “will turn into a 3,000-meter track for the unique event that is surmountable not just for a taxying fighter aircraft but also a colourful crowd: Lithuanian military, allies, different organisations, sports clubs, education institutions, solitary joggers and whoever else desires regardless of age”, according to the ministry.
“Music at the event will be played by the Air Force Band, artistic collectives will perform, a static display of military equipment and aircraft will be there,” it said.
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