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Borisovas: Views of East Prussia

By Kazys Almenas. The watercolors of Romanas Borisovas are beautiful. Works of art do not require any additional justification. However, I am certain that after viewing them, many will experience something more. Let’s call it the breath of passing history, or possibly an intimation of the vulnerability of the works …

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A HUNDRED YEARS AGO LITHUANIAN AMERICANS JOINED THE STRUGGLE FOR LITHUANIAN INDEPENDENCE

Lithuanian American National Council, Madison Square Garden, New York, March 13-14, 1918.

Henry L. Gaidis. A frequently overlooked historic fact is that Lithuania’s Declaration of Independence of February 16th, 1918, did not occur overnight. It was, instead, the consequence of a series of significant events and political developments. This, of course, does not detract from the achievement which the declaration’s signatories brought …

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Vincas Kudirka, Herald of the Modern Lithuanian Nation

The home of Vincas Kudirka in Paežeriai. Photo from 1911

By Miltiades Varvounis. At the time when Lithuania was under Russian rule, national identity was shaped by the Lithuanian intelligentsia, the educated social elite in the country. One of the most prominent intellectuals and activists of the late 19th century was Vincas Kudirka, a publicist and publisher, author of Lithuania’s …

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It began in Vermont. Village Harmony goes Lithuanian

Village Harmony in Lithuania. Group leader, Will Thomas Rowan, is on the far left.

Village Harmony was founded by Larry Gordon in 1988. It began as a small ensemble of high school singers drawn from several central Vermont schools, rehearsing after school hours and touring the East Coast. In 1990 the first Village Harmony summer camp was held, establishing a model which has been …

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DISPLACED: Documenting the Lithuanian World War II narrative

Mary Umans Jakubauskas’s first feature-length documentary film on the Lithuanian DP experience is nearing completion. Her film consists of numerous interviews with Lithuanian Americans. They as children fled Lithuania with their parents in 1944 in the final stages of WWII. Now, adults, her subjects recall what it was like to …

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Baltic Issues Front and Center. Washington, D.C. Conference Highlights Current Concerns

From left: Jonas Vaičikonis, Vytas Aukštuolis, Neringa Liutikaitė, and Kerry Ashkenaze.

Lithuanian American Community Public Affairs representative Danele Vidutis submitted a report on the October 30th conference held at the Lithuanian Embassy, which was sponsored by the LAC Public Affaris Committee and the Lithuanian American Youth Association. The following is an edited version of her report. MEETING AT THE EMBASSY More than …

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Vytautas K. Jonynas in America

V.K. Jonynas with section of mosaic-bas relief, for the cafeteria at Rikers Island, NY. (LRSC Archive)

By Gediminas Indreika. Over the many years of creative work in America, Vytautas Kazimieras Jonynas decorated more than 80 buildings, most of which were sacred spaces. His decorative elements were renowned for their originality and imagination. Their expression in stained glass, sculpture and mosaics conferred a distinctiveness and unique character …

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Where They’re Always Glad You Came

Live Mic night Thursdays at Bernice's Tavern.

Audronė (Audrey) Kižys. Next time you visit Chicago’s historic Bridgeport neighborhood, make it a point to stop in at Bernice’s Tavern. There you will find more than just a shot of Lithuanian history. Located at 3238 S. Hasted St. only a few miles southwest of downtown Chicago, Bridgeport was the …

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Karolis Požėla Proper Gentleman and Champion of the Mat

Požėla as a young soldier and wrestler.

by Thomas Latour. Karolis Požėla died in Chicago, Illinois in 1954. More than 3,000 people attended his funeral. In the 1930s and 40s, Požėla, better known in the wrestling world as Karl Pojello, was a name recognized around the world and familiar to every Lithuanian in Chicago. He was born …

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Focusing on the Lithuanian American Hall of Fame

On August 24, 2013 Lithuanian-American legends, Dick Butkus, Ruta Lee and Johnny Unitas (represented by hs son John C. Unitas Jr) were the first inductees into the National Lithuanian American Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony took place at the Lithuanian World Center in Lemont, IL. Among the guests were football great Doug Buffone and Hockey Hall of Fame member Bobby Hull. Pictured (from left) are the Lithuanian Consul General Marijus Gudynas, John C. Unitas Jr, Ruta Lee, Dick Butkus and the organizer of the event, Jon Platakis.

On October 14 the National Lithuanian American Hall of Fame (NLAHF) will induct four illustrious Lithuanian Americans into its ranks: former President of Lithuania, Valdas Adamkus; U.S. Senator Dick Durbin; founder of Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture, Stanley Balzekas Jr.; and philanthropist, statesman, entrepreneur, Juozas Kazickas. The ceremonies together with a celebratory …

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