THEY BRAVED stormy waters in the Irish Sea to arrive in Dublin to an equally tumultuous but much warmer reception.
A special group of Lithuanian yachtsmen circumnavigating the globe were last week greeted at Dublin’s quays by a sizable crowd of compatriots, their ambassador Izolda BriÄkovskienÄ—, Dublin Lord Mayor Eibhlin Byrne and the Garda Band.
The LTU 1000 yacht’s journey celebrates the 1,000th anniversary of Lithuania’s first mention in the written word, and aims to unite Lithuanians all over the world under one banner, while also increasing knowledge of Lithuanian culture.
Ireland is home to one of the highest concentration of Lithuanians overseas, unofficially estimated at up to 100,000.
Having set sail last October in KlaipÄ—da, a western Lithuanian port city, the crew have already docked in Spain, South Africa, Australia, South America, New Zealand, the US, Canada and Portugal.
A stunningly sunny day welcomed the crew to Dublin, along with Lithuanian children, bikers, diplomats, members of the Lithuanian Association in Ireland and other interested observers.
Organiser of the Dublin welcoming party Rasa RaizienÄ—, who was wearing traditional Lithuanian dress, said: “It’s 1,000 years for Lithuania this year, so this yacht is bringing the message to the world.”
RaizienÄ— also stood with a plate of bread. “That’s how you meet and greet guests, your newly-wed children, or somebody arriving from far away,” explained Ieva GedmintaitÄ— of the Lithuanian Association in Ireland. “It is to say ‘You are welcome to my house,’” added Rasa KerienÄ—, principal of Dublin’s Lithuanian school 4 VÄ—jai (4 Winds).
Lithuanian priest Fr Egidijus Arnašius said that events such as these were very important for the Lithuanian population in Ireland. “We feel like we’re at home here – it’s Europe, and we are a part of Europe. We’re Lithuanians, and we also value Irish culture while trying to live our own culture.”
He said that despite some employment problems among his 100-strong weekly congregation in Dublin, Lithuanians are generally optimistic amidst the recession. “In Africa, there are people starving,” he added, putting things in perspective.
A crew representative presented a special plaque to Dublin Lord Mayor Eibhlin Byrne, following addresses from Lithuanian ambassador Izolda BriÄkovskienÄ— and president of the Lithuanian Association in Ireland, Ridas Bieliajevas. The Lord Mayor was then given a tour of the yacht.
The crew now set sail for London, Oslo, Copenhagen, Gdansk, Stockholm, Saint Petersburg, Tallinn, RÄ«ga, Kaliningrad and back to KlaipÄ—da, where celebrations will reach their zenith.
“The yacht will go home, and at the same time in all the world, Lithuanians are going to sing the national anthem,” explained Jurga VidugirienÄ— of the Lithuanian Association.
