Historic Lithuanian and U.S. Flag Raising Ceremony in New York on the Occasion of Lithuania’s Restoration of Independence Day!

NYLP
3 hours ago
2 min read

New York Lithuanian Professionals proudly attended the first-ever Lithuanian and U.S. flag-raising ceremony held on March 7 at Bowling Green in Manhattan, organized to mark the Restoration of Lithuania’s Independence Day.

During the ceremony, the Lithuanian and U.S. flags were solemnly raised as many Lithuanians and New Yorkers gathered to celebrate this meaningful occasion. The audience was greeted by Consul General of Lithuania in New York Dovydas Špokauskas, Dana Račiūnas, Co-Chair of the New York City Chapter of the Lithuanian American Community, Father Valdemaras Lisovskis, Ambassador Rytis Paulauskas, Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the United Nations, U.S. State Department representative Kathy Eagen, and Ibrahim Kurtulus, Vice-Chair of the Bowling Green Association.

A special highlight of the ceremony was the musical program performed by the New York Lithuanian Choir and the New York Maironis Youth Choir, led by Laura Vidžiūnaitė and Gediminas Keras, who beautifully performed Lithuanian songs as well as the national anthems of Lithuania and the United States.

The flags were raised by the NY Neringa and Tauras Scout troops.

This year marks the 36th anniversary of the Restoration of Lithuania’s Independence. The United States is commemorating the 250th anniversary of its independence, and 2026 also marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Consulate General of Lithuania in New York. Due to the U.S. policy of non-recognition of the Soviet occupation of Lithuania, the Consulate General was able to continue its work throughout the years of Lithuania’s efforts to restore independence.

We are very proud to have been part of this meaningful and historic moment for our community. A heartfelt thank you to the Consulate General of Lithuania in New York, the choirs, the scouts, and everybody who made this beautiful ceremony possible.