By Monika Liu
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 3. Nearly 3,000
Lithuanians from across 37 countries have arrived in Palanga for
the 12th World Lithuanian Sports Games, an event often referred to
as the 鈥淥lympics of Lithuanian communities,鈥 Trend reports.
This international gathering of amateur athletes not only
fosters a love of sport but also strengthens civic values, national
identity, and community ties.
The Games officially begin on July 3, but festivities start the
day before with a scholarly conference titled 鈥淭he Role of Sports
in Shaping Lithuania鈥檚 Global Image, National Unity, and Civic
Engagement,鈥 held at the historic Palanga Kurhaus.
Opening day will commence with a special Mass at 4:00 p.m. at
the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A festive
parade led by an orchestra will then proceed down Vytauto Street to
the city stadium. The official ceremony will include greetings from
President Gitanas Naus臈da, Speaker of the Seimas Saulius
Skvernelis, and Minister of Education, Science and Sports Raminta
Popovien臈. The ceremony will also feature a musical performance by
singer Gabriel臈 Vilkickyt臈 and the renowned children鈥檚 choir
鈥溎勁緐oliukas.鈥
That morning, athletes will already be competing in 24 sports
across various venues throughout the city, including sports arenas,
school gyms, beaches near the iconic sea bridge, and in 艩ventoji,
where Viking boat races will be held. The symbolic 鈥淟et鈥檚 Run to
Swim鈥 race will finish inside the stadium during the opening
celebration.
Palanga is also offering a lively cultural program for
participants and visitors. On July 4, an 鈥淓thno Evening鈥 will be
held near the Rose Garden in Birut臈 Park, followed by a 鈥淧op Music
Night鈥 on July 5 in J奴rat臈 and Kastytis Square. Throughout both
days, the square鈥檚 stage will host workout sessions, performances,
discussions, and community activities.
A pavilion village will also be set up from July 3 through 5 at
the intersection of Meil臈s Alley and J. Basanavi膷ius Street.
Exhibitors will include the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the
Ministry of Economy and Innovation, “Travel Lithuania,” the
Employment Service, and the Lithuanian Armed Forces.
On July 6, Statehood Day, the focus on national pride and civic
engagement will continue with the World Lithuanian Sports Games
Forum at the Kurhaus.
The event will conclude that evening with a grand closing
celebration, broadcast live by TV3. A symbolic live 鈥渢ele-bridge鈥
will link the main stage in the square to a procession heading
toward the Palanga Pier. The closing concert will feature
performances by Monika Liu, Giedr臈 Kil膷iauskien臈, and Rokas
At 9:00 p.m., Lithuanians around the world will unite in singing
the national anthem, Tauti拧ka giesm臈, from the Palanga
Pier鈥攂ringing a powerful and symbolic close to the Games.