THE VOICE OF INTERNATIONAL LITHUANIA
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Michigan loves VilNews!
An avid reader of VilNews in Michigan, USA, bought a new car not long ago. This is what his new license plates look like ...
Democrat or Republican does not matter, Lithuanians in Michigan simply love VilNews!
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There are lots of Lithuanians in Michigan
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Frank Passic
There are lots of Lithuanians here in Michigan. My maternal grandfather was Nikodemas Kulikauskas and they were from Lietuva (he was born in Nevardenai near Varniai in 1890, died 1975 here in Albion). 2011 marked the 100th anniversary of my grandfather coming to the US.
Frank Passic, Albion, Michigan
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BELOW: Reader comments
Richard Vitkauskas
Congratulations :) Awesome publication.
Richard Vitkauskas,
New York
Lars Persen
Congratulations to Aage Myhre and Vilnews for 1 year online and great contributions to understanding the fragmented history of Lithuania.
Lars Persen,
Norway
Boris Bakunas
Rarely do I find publications whose major goals match my own as closely as VilNews, an e-magazine that strives to encourage understanding and mutual cooperation among people around the globe while preserving what is best in a country's national identity. VilNews is such a publication.
Boris Bakunas,
Chicago
Cheryle Prakop-Good
Yes gorgeous pic....my Grandmother now 88 was born in Vilnius I'd love to visit some day from Australia :D
Anthea Poskus
Jenifer C. Dillis
Barbara Rapaport
I have been reading some of the most interesting articles since the VilNews launch.
What has impressed me the most is the fact that you have been able to pull extraordinary ‘minds & brains’ together from all over the world for the purpose of ‘rescuing’ Lithuania as a nation, and fundamentally improve its current practices with respect to economic and political justice, business practices, educational sustainability and resilience and much, much more.
Just wanted to say one more time THANK YOU!!!
Barbara Rapaport
Adelaide, Australia
- originally from Vilnius.
Giedrė Jotautaitė
I read your e-magazine every morning and I think it’s great
I was born in Vilnius, studied at Vilnius University, but moved to Milan to work. Now I’m saving money to buy a beautiful flat in the centre of Vilnius, because one day I will surely come back home!
>From my point of view Lithuania is doing quite good, if to compare with Italy where one now can feel the crisis more.
Best wishes and kiss,
Giedrė Jotautaitė
Milan, Italy
- originally from Vilnius.
The woman I spoke with at the national day celebration at the Norwegian Embassy in Vilnius on 17 May had much good to say about our VilNews e-magazine, and I do not deny that it felt good to hear such words – confirming that what we have tried to describe and gain an understanding of, in and about the 'Lithuanian', has been so well received, perceived and understood by one of our readers. This is what she said:
Then VilNews appears and suddenly we have access to a unique publication that explains Lithuania to the world in a completely different, clever way that makes the country sound and look very interesting again. Even those times when you criticize various aspects it is understood that the criticism is based on well-founded ideas, fairness and a balanced approach.
You've just changed the image and perception of Lithuania. I am also very impressed with the unusual combination you present the news, blogs, comments, debates and a vast background material - not least that of historical character.
It is also very good to see so many of your readers actually write and communicate actively through the channel you offer them through VilNews. I've actually never seen anything like it anywhere in the world. I recommend now VilNews to all my contacts around the world. I wish fervently that the nation's leaders would study the publication very carefully, and follow up much of what you write and propose."
appreciate this publication.
Aciu dar karta!
Irene Petkaitis
Please continue with the delightful photos and thank you for them.
Congratulations also on Anniversary of VilNews...
We of Lithuanian descent
truly appreciate this publication. Aciu dar karta!
Irene Petkaitis.
USA
Felicia Dalia Prekeris Brown
Loved your trip with the family and all the great photos.
Felicia Dalia Prekeris Brown,
California, USA.
National Lithuanian American
Hall of Fame
Chicago, USA.
I’ve heard that Aage Myhre, the Editor-in-Chief, is terrific guy. He goes out of his way to publish both comments and articles from new contributors.
Also, never hesitate to post on my Wall. For many years, I felt like I was living in an intellectual and spiritual vacuum, but now I find new interests, thoughts, and opportunities coming my way like never before.
Boris Bakunas
Chicago, USA.
Wyman Brent
Congratulations on one year of amazing growth and success!
Wyman Brent,
Vilnius Jewish Library
Boris Bakunas
Two hundred years of oppression have scattered Lithuanians among all parts of the world. You will find Lithuanian communities in North and South America, in South Africa, in Australia, and Asia. VilNews is the best online publication I've seen about Lithuania's history, culture, geography, and its resurgence on the world stage. VilNews seeks to bring Lithuanians, their descendants, and people interested in Lithuania together in a cooperative manner, fostering good relations among Lithuania, its neighbors in the European community as well as the rest of the world.
Boris Bakunas
Chicago, USA.
(Dr) Al Taškūnas, OAM
Dear Aage and all workers at VilNews,
Congratulations on your first Anniversary.
And by the way: By not resorting to 6, 000 pages, you have certainly saved many lovely trees.
Keep up the good work and all the best.
(Dr) Al Taškūnas, OAM
Honorary Research Professor, School of Government, University of Tasmania
and Editor, Lithuanian Papers.
Neringa Zamani
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!! Great reporting, interesting topics, and knowledgeable human resources. May it continue to flourish and expand. Thank you VilNews!
Neringa Zamani,
Washington D.C., USA.
Amos Eiran
Warm congratulations for the anniversary of VilNews On-Line. I always enjoy reading your publication and learn a lot from them and always look forward for the new publications.
Amos Eiran,
Tel Aviv, Israel.
Jurate Kutkus Burns
A great achievement! All it took was a vision and lots of hard work...thank you for both.
Jurate Kutkus Burns,
Florida, USA.
William Adan Pahl
Great job! Press freedom!
William Adan Pahl,
Vilnius, Lithuania.
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BRAVO! It’s about time! All too often “historical” news and commemorations in Lithuania seem to be taken for granted – as if everyone there wasn’t interested or already knew about it…
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I try to follow all the English "press" from the Baltic Times to alfa.lt "English".
FINALLY I discover you! AND..... you place an article on Feb 16th Lithuanian Independence on the FRONT PAGE and feature an absolutely marvellous "historical" section.
BRAVO! It’s about time! All too often "historical" news and commemorations in Lithuania seem to be taken for granted - as if everyone there wasn't interested or already knew about it.
The fact is most of us are STARVED for this kind of information and even regular English speaking tourists need historical perspective to truly appreciate Lithuanian culture - if only to help understand a tragic and fragmented history. I will read you much and often.
Edward Kestas Reivydas,
M&R Americana Insurance Service Inc Santa Monica, California, USA
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Your publication is one of the few remaining publications, where our English speaking Lithuanians can keep abreast of events and maintain their pride of being Lithuanian
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Jon Platakis.
We, at the National Lithuanian American Hall of Fame, are extremely appreciative of the superb job you did in prominently displaying our articles in your publication.
Your publication is one of the few remaining publications, where our English speaking Lithuanians can keep abreast of events and maintain their pride of being Lithuanian.
Sincerely,
Jon Platakis, Chairman, National
Lithuanian American Hall of Fame
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Creating a better image of Lithuania in the world
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Let me express my warmest greetings for such a wonderful job. I’m sure it will contribute a lot to creating a better image of Lithuania in the world. We really needed something like this long ago.
Kristina Lukošiūtė, Lithuanian Business Confederation | ICC Lithuania
Director of Corporate Affairs
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You and you’re team have excelled
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Well done Aage ''you should be very proud'' you and you're team have excelled.
Geoff Kenny, Vilnius.
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Bravo – bravo – bravo ! :)
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Congratulations for the starting of the Vilnews online !!! I can imagine what a hard work you achieved ! Bravo bravo bravo ! :)
Thomas Teiten, owner of restaurant BALZAC, Vilnius
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OPINIONS
Have your say. Send to:
editor@VilNews.com
By Dr. Boris Vytautas Bakunas,
Ph. D., Chicago
Ph. D., Chicago
A wave of unity sweeps the international Lithuanian community on March 11th every year as Lithuanians celebrated the anniversary of the Lithuanian Parliament's declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1990. However, the sense of national unity engendered by the celebration could be short-lived.
Human beings have a strong tendency to overgeneralize and succumb to stereotypical us-them distinctions that can shatter even the strongest bonds. We need only search the internet to find examples of divisive thinking at work:
- "50 years of Soviet rule has ruined an entire generation of Lithuanian.
- "Those who fled Lithuania during World II were cowards -- and now they come back, flaunt their wealth, and tell us 'true Lithuanians' how to live."
- "Lithuanians who work abroad have abandoned their homeland and should be deprived of their Lithuanian citizenship."
Could such stereotypical, emotionally-charged accusations be one of the main reasons why relations between Lithuania's diaspora groups and their countrymen back home have become strained?- "Those who fled Lithuania during World II were cowards -- and now they come back, flaunt their wealth, and tell us 'true Lithuanians' how to live."
- "Lithuanians who work abroad have abandoned their homeland and should be deprived of their Lithuanian citizenship."
Text: Saulene Valskyte
In Lithuania Christmas Eve is a family event and the New Year's Eve a great party with friends!
Lithuanian say "Kaip sutiksi naujus metus, taip juos ir praleisi" (the way you'll meet the new year is the way you will spend it). So everyone is trying to spend New Year's Eve with friend and have as much fun as possible.
Lithuanian New Year's traditions are very similar to those in other countries, and actually were similar since many years ago. Also, the traditional Lithuanian New Years Eve party was very similar to other big celebrations throughout the year.
The New Year's Eve table is quite similar to the Christmas Eve table, but without straws under the tablecloth, and now including meat dishes. A tradition that definitely hasn't changes is that everybody is trying not to fell asleep before midnight. It was said that if you oversleep the midnight point you will be lazy all the upcoming year. People were also trying to get up early on the first day of the new year, because waking up late also meant a very lazy and unfortunate year.
During the New Year celebration people were dancing, singing, playing games and doing magic to guess the future. People didn't drink much of alcohol, especially was that the case for women.
Here are some advices from elders:
- During the New Year, be very nice and listen to relatives - what you are during New Year Eve, you will be throughout the year.
- During to the New Year Eve, try not to fall, because if this happens, next year you will be unhappy.
- If in the start of the New Year, the first news are good - then the year will be successful. If not - the year will be problematic.
New year predictions
* If during New Year eve it's snowing - then it will be bad weather all year round. If the day is fine - one can expect good harvest.* If New Year's night is cold and starry - look forward to a good summer!
* If the during New Year Eve trees are covered with frost - then it will be a good year. If it is wet weather on New Year's Eve, one can expect a year where many will die and dangerous epidemics occur.
* If the first day of the new year is snowy - the upcoming year will see many young people die. If the night is snowy - mostly old people will die.
* If the New Year time is cold - then Easter will be warm.
* If during New Year there are a lot of birds in your homestead - then all year around there will be many guests and the year will be fun.
Christmas greetings
from Vilnius
and epic battle for the
future
By Leonidas Donskis
Kaunas
Philosopher, political theorist, historian of
ideas, social analyst, and political
commentator
Philosopher, political theorist, historian of
ideas, social analyst, and political
commentator
Immediately after Russia stepped in Syria, we understood that it is time to sum up the convoluted and long story about Ukraine and the EU - a story of pride and prejudice which has a chance to become a story of a new vision regained after self-inflicted blindness.
Ukraine was and continues to be perceived by the EU political class as a sort of grey zone with its immense potential and possibilities for the future, yet deeply embedded and trapped in No Man's Land with all of its troubled past, post-Soviet traumas, ambiguities, insecurities, corruption, social divisions, and despair. Why worry for what has yet to emerge as a new actor of world history in terms of nation-building, European identity, and deeper commitments to transparency and free market economy?
Right? Wrong. No matter how troubled Ukraine's economic and political reality could be, the country has already passed the point of no return. Even if Vladimir Putin retains his leverage of power to blackmail Ukraine and the West in terms of Ukraine's zero chances to accede to NATO due to the problems of territorial integrity, occupation and annexation of Crimea, and mayhem or a frozen conflict in the Donbas region, Ukraine will never return to Russia's zone of influence. It could be deprived of the chances to join NATO or the EU in the coming years or decades, yet there are no forces on earth to make present Ukraine part of the Eurasia project fostered by Putin.
Ukraine was and continues to be perceived by the EU political class as a sort of grey zone with its immense potential and possibilities for the future, yet deeply embedded and trapped in No Man's Land with all of its troubled past, post-Soviet traumas, ambiguities, insecurities, corruption, social divisions, and despair. Why worry for what has yet to emerge as a new actor of world history in terms of nation-building, European identity, and deeper commitments to transparency and free market economy?
Right? Wrong. No matter how troubled Ukraine's economic and political reality could be, the country has already passed the point of no return. Even if Vladimir Putin retains his leverage of power to blackmail Ukraine and the West in terms of Ukraine's zero chances to accede to NATO due to the problems of territorial integrity, occupation and annexation of Crimea, and mayhem or a frozen conflict in the Donbas region, Ukraine will never return to Russia's zone of influence. It could be deprived of the chances to join NATO or the EU in the coming years or decades, yet there are no forces on earth to make present Ukraine part of the Eurasia project fostered by Putin.
want to learn about the
new, scary propaganda
war between Russia,
The West and the
Baltic States!
believe their government
is corrupt
Lithuania is perceived to be the country with the most widespread government corruption, according to an international survey involving almost 40 countries.
students say no to
bribes for doctors
On International Anticorruption Day, the Special Investigation Service shifted their attention to medical institutions, where citizens encounter bribery most often. Doctors blame citizens for giving bribes while patients complain that, without bribes, they won't receive proper medical attention. Campaigners against corruption say that bribery would disappear if medical institutions themselves were to take resolute actions against corruption and made an effort to take care of their patients.
By Grant Arthur Gochin
California - USA
Lithuania emerged from the yoke of the Soviet Union a mere 25 years ago. Since then, Lithuania has attempted to model upon other European nations, joining NATO, Schengen, and the EU. But, has the Soviet Union left Lithuania?
During Soviet times, government was administered for the people in control, not for the local population, court decisions were decreed, they were not the administration of justice, and academia was the domain of ideologues. 25 years of freedom and openness should have put those bad experiences behind Lithuania, but that is not so.
Today, it is a matter of expectation that court pronouncements will be governed by ideological dictates. Few, if any Lithuanians expect real justice to be effected. For foreign companies, doing business in Lithuania is almost impossible in a situation where business people do not expect rule of law, so, surely Government would be a refuge of competence?
Lithuanian Government has not emerged from Soviet styles. In an attempt to devolve power, Lithuania has created a myriad of fiefdoms of power, each speaking in the name of the Government, each its own centralized power base of ideology.
During Soviet times, government was administered for the people in control, not for the local population, court decisions were decreed, they were not the administration of justice, and academia was the domain of ideologues. 25 years of freedom and openness should have put those bad experiences behind Lithuania, but that is not so.
Today, it is a matter of expectation that court pronouncements will be governed by ideological dictates. Few, if any Lithuanians expect real justice to be effected. For foreign companies, doing business in Lithuania is almost impossible in a situation where business people do not expect rule of law, so, surely Government would be a refuge of competence?
Lithuanian Government has not emerged from Soviet styles. In an attempt to devolve power, Lithuania has created a myriad of fiefdoms of power, each speaking in the name of the Government, each its own centralized power base of ideology.
By Anita Šovaitė-Woronycz
Chepstow, Wales
Chepstow, Wales
Think of a nation in northern Europe whose population is around the 3 million mark a land of song, of rivers, lakes, forests, rolling green hills, beautiful coastline a land where mushrooms grow ready for the picking,
a land with a passion for preserving its ancient language and culture.
Doesn't that sound suspiciously like Lithuania? Ah, but I didn't mention the mountains of Snowdonia, which would give the game away.
I'm talking about Wales, that part of the UK which Lithuanians used to call "Valija", but later named "Velsas" (why?). Wales, the nation which has welcomed two Lithuanian heads of state to its shores - firstly Professor Vytautas Landsbergis, who has paid several visits and, more recently, President Dalia Grybauskaitė who attended the 2014 NATO summit which was held in Newport, South Wales.
Doesn't that sound suspiciously like Lithuania? Ah, but I didn't mention the mountains of Snowdonia, which would give the game away.
I'm talking about Wales, that part of the UK which Lithuanians used to call "Valija", but later named "Velsas" (why?). Wales, the nation which has welcomed two Lithuanian heads of state to its shores - firstly Professor Vytautas Landsbergis, who has paid several visits and, more recently, President Dalia Grybauskaitė who attended the 2014 NATO summit which was held in Newport, South Wales.
ENGLISH VERSION OF THE
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF VYTAUTAS LANDSBERGIS.
Did you know there is a comment field right after every article we publish? If you read the two above posts, you will see that they both have received many comments. Also YOU are welcome with your comments. To all our articles!
By Antanas Sileika,
Toronto, Canada
Toronto was a major postwar settlement centre for Lithuanian Displaced Persons, and to this day there are two Catholic parishes and one Lutheran one, as well as a Lithuanian House, retirement home, and nursing home. A new wave of immigrants has showed interest in sports.
Although Lithuanian activities have thinned over the decades as that postwar generation died out, the Lithuanian Martyrs' parish hall is crowded with many, many hundreds of visitors who come to the Lithuanian cemetery for All Souls' Day. Similarly, the Franciscan parish has standing room only for Christmas Eve mass.
Although I am firmly embedded in the literary culture of Canada, my themes are usually Lithuanian, and I'll be in Kaunas and Vilnius in mid-November 2015 to give talks about the Lithuanian translations of my novels and short stories, which I write in English.
If you have the Lithuanian language, come by to one of the talks listed in the links below. And if you don't, you can read more about my work at
www.anatanassileika.com
http://www.vdu.lt/lt/rasytojas-antanas-sileika-pristatys-savo-kuryba/ https://leu.lt/lt/lf/lf_naujienos/kvieciame-i-rasytojo-59hc.html
Although Lithuanian activities have thinned over the decades as that postwar generation died out, the Lithuanian Martyrs' parish hall is crowded with many, many hundreds of visitors who come to the Lithuanian cemetery for All Souls' Day. Similarly, the Franciscan parish has standing room only for Christmas Eve mass.
Although I am firmly embedded in the literary culture of Canada, my themes are usually Lithuanian, and I'll be in Kaunas and Vilnius in mid-November 2015 to give talks about the Lithuanian translations of my novels and short stories, which I write in English.
If you have the Lithuanian language, come by to one of the talks listed in the links below. And if you don't, you can read more about my work at
www.anatanassileika.com
http://www.vdu.lt/lt/rasytojas-antanas-sileika-pristatys-savo-kuryba/ https://leu.lt/lt/lf/lf_naujienos/kvieciame-i-rasytojo-59hc.html
Professor Irena Veisaite, Chairwoman of
our Honorary Council, asked us to convey
her heartfelt greetings to the other Council
Members and to all readers of VilNews.
"My love and best wishes to all. As long as VilNews exists, there is hope for the future,"" she writes.
Irena Veisaite means very much for our publication, and we do hereby thank her for the support and wise commitment she always shows.
You can read our interview with her
"My love and best wishes to all. As long as VilNews exists, there is hope for the future,"" she writes.
Irena Veisaite means very much for our publication, and we do hereby thank her for the support and wise commitment she always shows.
You can read our interview with her
Facing a new reality
By Vygaudas Ušackas
EU Ambassador to the Russian Federation
Dear readers of VilNews,
It's great to see this online resource for people interested in Baltic affairs. I congratulate the editors. From my position as EU Ambassador to Russia, allow me to share some observations.
For a number of years, the EU and Russia had assumed the existence of a strategic partnership, based on the convergence of values, economic integration and increasingly open markets and a modernisation agenda for society.
Our agenda was positive and ambitious. We looked at Russia as a country ready to converge with "European values", a country likely to embrace both the basic principles of democratic government and a liberal concept of the world order. It was believed this would bring our relations to a new level, covering the whole spectrum of the EU's strategic relationship with Russia.
For a number of years, the EU and Russia had assumed the existence of a strategic partnership, based on the convergence of values, economic integration and increasingly open markets and a modernisation agenda for society.
Our agenda was positive and ambitious. We looked at Russia as a country ready to converge with "European values", a country likely to embrace both the basic principles of democratic government and a liberal concept of the world order. It was believed this would bring our relations to a new level, covering the whole spectrum of the EU's strategic relationship with Russia.
The likelihood of Putin
invading Lithuania
.jpg "lithuania today")
By Mikhail Iossel
Professor of English at Concordia University, Canada
Founding Director at Summer Literary Seminars
Founding Director at Summer Literary Seminars
The likelihood of Putin's invading Lithuania or fomenting a Donbass-style counterfeit pro-Russian uprising there, at this point, in my strong opinion, is no higher than that of his attacking Portugal, say, or Ecuador. Regardless of whether he might or might not, in principle, be interested in the insane idea of expanding Russia's geographic boundaries to those of the former USSR (and I for one do not believe that has ever been his goal), he knows this would be entirely unfeasible, both in near- and long-term historical perspective, for a variety of reasons. It is not going to happen. There will be no restoration of the Soviet Union as a geopolitical entity.
Are all Lithuanian energy
problems now resolved?
By Dr. Stasys Backaitis,
P.E., CSMP, SAE Fellow Member of Central and Eastern European Coalition, Washington, D.C., USA
Lithuania's Energy Timeline - from total dependence to independence
Lithuania as a country does not have significant energy resources. Energy consuming infrastructure after WWII was small and totally supported by energy imports from Russia.
First nuclear reactor begins power generation at Ignalina in 1983, the second reactor in 1987. Iganlina generates enough electricity to cover Lithuania's needs and about 50%.for export. As, prerequisite for membership in EU, Ignalina ceases all nuclear power generation in 2009
The Klaipėda Sea terminal begins Russia's oil export operations in 1959 and imports in 1994.
Mazeikiu Nafta (current ORLEAN Lietuva) begins operation of oil refinery in 1980.
Lithuania as a country does not have significant energy resources. Energy consuming infrastructure after WWII was small and totally supported by energy imports from Russia.
First nuclear reactor begins power generation at Ignalina in 1983, the second reactor in 1987. Iganlina generates enough electricity to cover Lithuania's needs and about 50%.for export. As, prerequisite for membership in EU, Ignalina ceases all nuclear power generation in 2009
The Klaipėda Sea terminal begins Russia's oil export operations in 1959 and imports in 1994.
Mazeikiu Nafta (current ORLEAN Lietuva) begins operation of oil refinery in 1980.
Have Lithuanian ties across
the Baltic Sea become
stronger in recent years?
By Eitvydas Bajarunas
Ambassador to Sweden
My answer to affirmative "yes". Yes, Lithuanian ties across the Baltic Sea become as never before solid in recent years. For me the biggest achievement of Lithuania in the Baltic Sea region during recent years is boosting Baltic and Nordic ties. And not because of mere accident - Nordic direction was Lithuania's strategic choice.
The two decades that have passed since regaining Lithuania's independence can be described as a "building boom". From the wreckage of a captive Soviet republic, a generation of Lithuanians have built a modern European state, and are now helping construct a Nordic-Baltic community replete with institutions intended to promote political coordination and foster a trans-Baltic regional identity. Indeed, a "Nordic-Baltic community" - I will explain later in my text the meaning of this catch-phrase.
Since the restoration of Lithuania's independence 25 years ago, we have continuously felt a strong support from Nordic countries. Nordics in particular were among the countries supporting Lithuania's and Baltic States' striving towards independence. Take example of Iceland, country which recognized Lithuania in February of 1991, well in advance of other countries. Yet another example - Swedish Ambassador was the first ambassador accredited to Lithuania in 1991. The other countries followed suit. When we restored our statehood, Nordic Countries became champions in promoting Baltic integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions. To large degree thanks Nordic Countries, massive transformations occurred in Lithuania since then, Lithuania became fully-fledged member of the EU and NATO, and we joined the Eurozone on 1 January 2015.
The two decades that have passed since regaining Lithuania's independence can be described as a "building boom". From the wreckage of a captive Soviet republic, a generation of Lithuanians have built a modern European state, and are now helping construct a Nordic-Baltic community replete with institutions intended to promote political coordination and foster a trans-Baltic regional identity. Indeed, a "Nordic-Baltic community" - I will explain later in my text the meaning of this catch-phrase.
Since the restoration of Lithuania's independence 25 years ago, we have continuously felt a strong support from Nordic countries. Nordics in particular were among the countries supporting Lithuania's and Baltic States' striving towards independence. Take example of Iceland, country which recognized Lithuania in February of 1991, well in advance of other countries. Yet another example - Swedish Ambassador was the first ambassador accredited to Lithuania in 1991. The other countries followed suit. When we restored our statehood, Nordic Countries became champions in promoting Baltic integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions. To large degree thanks Nordic Countries, massive transformations occurred in Lithuania since then, Lithuania became fully-fledged member of the EU and NATO, and we joined the Eurozone on 1 January 2015.
By Valdas (Val) Samonis,
PhD, CPC
n his article, Val Samonis takes a comparative policy look at the Lithuanian economy during the period 2000-2015. He argues that the LT policy response (a radical and classical austerity) was wrong and unenlightened because it coincided with strong and continuing deflationary forces in the EU and the global economy which forces were predictable, given the right policy guidance. Also, he makes a point that LT austerity, and the resulting sharp drop in GDP and employment in LT, stimulated emigration of young people (and the related worsening of other demographics) which processes took huge dimensions thereby undercutting even the future enlightened efforts to get out of the middle-income growth trap by LT. Consequently, the country is now on the trajectory (development path) similar to that of a dog that chases its own tail. A strong effort by new generation of policymakers is badly needed to jolt the country out of that wrong trajectory and to offer the chance of escaping the middle-income growth trap via innovations.
Have you heard about the
South African "Pencil Test"?
By Karina Simonson
If you are not South African, then, probably, you
haven't. It is a test performed in South Africa
during the apartheid regime and was used,
together with the other ways, to determine racial
identity, distinguishing whites from coloureds
and blacks. That repressive test was very close
to Nazi implemented ways to separate Jews
from Aryans. Could you now imagine a
Lithuanian mother, performing it on her own
child?
But that is exactly what happened to me when I came back from South Africa. I will tell you how.
But that is exactly what happened to me when I came back from South Africa. I will tell you how.
VilNews e-magazine is published in Vilnius, Lithuania. Editor-in-Chief: Mr. Aage Myhre. Inquires to the editors: editor@VilNews.com.
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