Speeches

2010-03-11 Address by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, in Independence Square on the Occasion of the 20th Anniversary of Reestablished Lithuanian Independence

Today we are celebrating the day of Lithuania’s historic opportunity – the unique opportunity to live in freedom and to choose our future path.

2010-03-11 Speech by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the parliamentary sitting to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Reestablished Lithuanian Independence

Today is a very special day. We are celebrating twenty years of reestablished independence - the anniversary of free Lithuania. Independence was the ultimate goal that united the people, lighting the fire of Sąjūdis and kindling the hearts of all.

2010-03-10 Remarks by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the Ceremony of Presentation of Medals to Signatories of the Independence Act of March 11

On this festive day we come to understand very clearly the great significance of the events in which we participated, and the immense importance of the decisions that you made twenty years ago. You were in the very heart of those events and you knew, better than anyone else, the hopes and expectations of our people and also of the threats they faced. You stayed in the forefront and never wavered in bringing the people together in Sąjūdis, leading them to elections and proclaiming on their behalf the reestablishment of Lithuanian independence.

2010-02-16 Remarks by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the National Awards Ceremony

Lithuania and creativity are two words that go powerfully hand in hand. Since ancient times, our ancestors had been building a state and creating a nation. And we continue doing it every day. It is symbolic that every year on February 16 we honor and applaud the winners of National Culture and Art Awards – men and women who embody the creative spirit of our people. It is great that in your creative endeavors you promote diversity and celebrate continuity.

2010-02-16 Address by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the Flag Raising Ceremony in Daukanto Square

Dear Fellow People of Lithuania, Distinguished and Honorable Guests! It was ninety two years ago today that twenty honest and enlightened representatives of the people signed a document of outstanding importance – the Declaration of Independence of February 16 – proclaiming the restoration of an independent, democratically organized Lithuanian State, with Vilnius as capital, and the abolition of all political ties which have existed with other nations.

2010-02-16 Remarks by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the Ceremony of Presentation of State Decorations

Distinguished Participants and Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, We have gathered on this important day in our national calendar to honor the deeds and accomplishments that forever embody the spirit of freedom and liberty, all that unites us on the road of independence. As we remember the signatories, volunteers, partisans, deportees, and resistance fighters who sacrificed their lives to restore, assert and advance independence, we pledge to continue their work guided by the values and ideals they cherished.

2010-02-12 Remarks by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the ceremony of handing over flowers to be laid at the graves of signatories of the February 16 Act of Independence

I extend my congratulations to you all on February 16 – a day of great national significance. Some of the events on the path of building a state can change the destiny of a nation. Such was the Declaration of Lithuanian Independence which dedicated the nation to the values of freedom. The spirit of resolve proclaimed by twenty prominent representatives of the people elected to the Council of Lithuania paved the way to the restoration of Lithuanian statehood.

2010-01-13 Address by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the Ceremony of Presentation of January 13 Medals

January 13 will always live in our hearts as a day of defending freedom and manifesting national unity. A day when we stood together – oblivious of social, ethnic or religious differences – to protect our homeland and liberty.

2009-12-31 New Year Greetings from President Dalia Grybauskaitė

Dear Fellow People of Lithuania,

As we celebrate the New Year with joy and excitement, I wish to extend my greetings to you all. This past year was difficult, but we came through with more life experience and wisdom. We can now look at ourselves and our pursuits more honestly. We can reflect on what each of us has done to build an open, tolerant and fair Lithuania.

2009-12-24 Christmas Eve Greetings from President Dalia Grybauskaitė

Dear Fellow People of Lithuania,

On this beautiful Christmas Eve, we have joined with those we love to share bread, the warmth of our hearts and all that we have. Together we grow stronger in spirit and faith. We are looking forward to tomorrow with hope and joy.