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Embassy of Lithuania in Israel arranged a festive concert followed by reception in the prestigious Tel Aviv municipality Einav Cultural Centre on 28 February 2008 in commemoration of the 90th anniversary of restoration of the State of Lithuania.

Lithuanian Ambassador Asta Skaisgirytė Liauškienė greeted the abundant audience: Kneset members, Government representatives, business, culture and academic elite, diplomatic corps, journalists and litvaks and gave the floor to the guests of honour: Mr. Petras Vaitiekūnas, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, on his first official visit to Israel, and Ms. Tzipi Livni, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel.

Minister P. Vaitiekūnas shortly observed the history of the relations of Lithuania and Israel and and stated that Israel is the most important partner of Lithuanian in the Middle East. He reminded the audience about thousands of Jews of Lithuanian origin resident in Israel and emphasized that promotion of people to people relations in the areas of culture, education and science shall enhance closer partnership between the two countries.

 Vice Prime Minister T. Livni put aside the prepared speech and spoke impromptu. Above all she coordially thanked the Lithuanian Minister for the visit to Sderot, the frontline of the Palestinian rocket attacks from the nearby Gaza Strip. The head of Lithuanian diplomacy scorned the advice of security to cancel the trip and thus demonstrated solidarity with Israeli people by action, not only by political declarations. Minister T. Livni observed that Lithuania has produced a great number of Israeli statesmen and expressed her strong belief in the further development of close bilateral cooperation in business, culture, education and science.

Both speeches were repeatedly interrupted by enthusiastic applause of the participant audience. Minister P. Vaitiekūnas conferred the Foreign Ministry award “The Star of Lithuania’s Millenium” to Ambassador Yosef Govrin, former high official of the Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry,  for his support to Lithuania’s recognition in 1990-1992.

 The audience took obvious delight in the superb performance of Lithuanian mezzosopranos Judita Leitaitė, soloist of the National Philharmonic Society, and Liora Grodnikaitė, graduate from Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre and from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, (USA), currently working and residing in London, and the play of piano virtuoso Andrius Vasiliauskas, Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society. All three perfomers came to Israel specially for the occasion. The programme included Lithuanian and Jewish folk songs, arias from classical operas, pieces of modern Lithuanian composers. Ripples of applause went round the hall after every piece performed.

During the reception following the concert many strived to have a word with the Minister P. Vaitiekūnas and other members of the official delegation, complimented heartily the performers  and presented flowers, thanked the Lithuanian Embassy for the unforgettable evening.