EMBASSY OFLITHUANIA SIGNS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING TO COMMEMORATE THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF U.S. INDEPENDENCE
On April 21, 2026, the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in the United States of America and the United States Semiquincentennial Commission signed a Memorandum of Understanding On Cooperation in Support of the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America
The Memorandum creates new opportunities to expand cooperation in organizing cultural, educational, and other events both in Lithuania and in the United States. It aims to promote cultural exchanges, educational programs, exhibitions, conferences, and other initiatives highlighting the historical ties between Lithuania and the United States, their shared values, and the role of the Lithuanian diaspora in the United States.
Lithuanian Ambassador to the United States Gediminas Varvuolis emphasized the special significance of the U.S. 250th anniversary for Lithuania:
“The 250th anniversary of the United States symbolizes for Lithuania the values of freedom, democracy, civic engagement, and respect for human dignity. These ideals have always been an inspiring example for Lithuanians—values they cherished and defended even during the most difficult periods of history. I am pleased that Lithuania can meaningfully contribute this year to commemorating this important milestone of U.S. statehood by highlighting the strategic partnership between Lithuania and the United States, people-to-people ties, and the contributions of individuals of Lithuanian origin whose history is an inseparable part of the development of the United States.”
Following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the U.S. side by Jennifer Condon, Executive Vice President of the United States Semiquincentennial Commission, Ambassador Gediminas Varvuolis discussed the program of events marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence and presented key initiatives planned for 2026 by the Lithuanian Embassy and the Lithuanian diaspora in the United States. These include the North America–Lithuania Business Forum (April 27–30, 2026); the North American Lithuanian Folk Dance Festival in Chicago (July 10–12); an Open House Day organized jointly with other European Union embassies; a performance by Lithuanian jazz artists at the Washington Jazz Festival; presentations of Antanas Škėma’s novel White Shroud (Balta drobulė) at U.S. libraries; the Lithuanian Ambassador’s Cup basketball tournament; the Tadeusz Kościuszko Freedom Run organized together with the Embassy of Poland; and other initiatives.
