september 2011

An initiative of VŠĮ Mes Medija

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Lithuanian Economic growth will be strong

DnB NORD analysts forecast that stood above 3% last year. the Lithuanian economy, which “The improving financial standing has demonstrated its viability and and expectations of companies will high flexibility in responding to facilitate business growth and banks changing market conditions, will are likely to adjust their lending poli- grow by 6% this year, while weak- cies in line with decreasing risks,” er investment processes and said Prof Rudzkis. structural shortage of labour in the aftermath of the crisis will be DnB NORD analysts predict among the key obstacles for sus- that the annual inflation rate will be tainable economic development. around 4% this year, while average wages will rise by 3% in 2011 year- According to Prof Rimantas Rudz- on-year. kis, Senior Analyst at DnB NORD, better than expected economic Strong economic growth cannot results this year will be ensured be sustained for a longer period not only by the growing markets of without foreign direct investment to Lithuania’s major foreign trade part- exporting industries given the global ners, larger production volumes due nature of the economy nowadays. to better use of the existing produc- The investment climate in Lithuania tion capacities and faster absorption continues to be negatively affected of EU support but also by the gradu- by excessive red tape in the busi- ally recovering domestic consump- ness environment, inefficient public tion. sector and lack of consistent eco- “We see that the falling unemploy- nomic policies by the government. ment rate translates into better con- These factors not only keep for- sumer sentiment. People save less eign investors at bay but also force and household consumption rate is Lithuanian capital to target other on the rise. Therefore, export driven countries. economy will be also backed by a In addition, the structural short- moderate growth of domestic de- age of labour will continue to impede mand,” said Prof. Rimantas Rudzkis sustainable economic development during the presentation of the latest as a result of emigration and short- issue of the Lithuanian Economic comings of the vocational training Outlook by the Economic Research system. Team of DnB NORD. “We have found ourselves in a The ability of Lithuanian business vicious circle: the shortage of good companies to adapt to new econom- jobs drives young people abroad, ic realities will also have a positive while the growing deficit of skilled effect on the economy. After losses labour becomes a serious obstacle incurred in 2009, the overall profit- to creating these jobs. To be able ability ratio of non-financial corpora- to break this circle, the country tions in Lithuania was positive and needs to find ways for more busi- ness friendly environment and make public sector more efficient. Only such reform will enable Lithuania to restore confidence in the positive Subscribe economic outlook of the country and curb the wave of emigration. Other- TonyResort Opens with a Bang to LiTnews wise, we will lose too many people TonyResort in Anupriškės officially TonyResort is the latest venture Trakai featuring an adventure park, Secure your copy of LiTnews and hopes to bridge the gap with the opened for business in August and for Antanas Guoga, or Tony G, and trout fishing, tennis courts, restau- leading European nations in terms by getting it home delivered. celebrated with a gala concert and is a recreation and entertainment rant amid more than 18 ha of cleared of the quality of life,” added Prof. For 30 per six months you will Rudzkis. firework show over Lake Gilušis. park located just 10 kilometres past and well maintained pine forest. receive each issue of LiTnews delivered to your door by post. That’s LTL30 in Lithuania, $30 for America, Australia and other countries outside of the EU, and €20 for postal delivery within the EU. LiTnews is published monthly and features news, analysis and statistics important to Lithuania. For more details on sub- scriptions and advertising email: [email protected] or call +370 617 28606. News LiTnews Lithuanians fall in love NATO jets collide quicker than Americans in Lithuania

On 30 August, at approx. 10 to the Lithuanian Air Force am, a Lithuanian Air Force Base. After medial checks, light attack aircraft L-39 ZA both pilots reported back to Albatross collided midair service. with a French fighter aircraft “Following the collision, Mirage 2000 C while on train- ing operation in the Lithua- the pilots did what they nian Air Force Base located could do to direct the aircraft in the vicinity of Šiauliai, to a nonresidential area to Northern Lithuania. avoid civilian damage,“ said Lieutenant General Arvydas An interesting study I first no- 7. Do things together 11.25% 14. Gifts 8% The both aircraft partici- Pocius, Chief of Defence of ticed on livescience.com told of 8. Temporary 11.25% From these replies, coupled with pated in the scheduled train- Lithuania at a press confer- a study jointly conducted by the 9. Sex 11.25% the initial findings the research- ing. ence held in the Ministry of State University of New York at ers found, using various statistical While in the air, the two New Paltz and Russia’s Moscow 10. Attention 10% National Defence. methods, that one significant differ- aircraft collided following State University for the Humani- 11. Love talk 10% The French fighter air- ence across the pond is that Ameri- which the light attack fight- ties found that Lithuanians and 12. Surprise 10% craft Mirage 2000 C landed cans frequently stated friendship as er L-39 ZA of the Lithua- Russians fall in love much quick- a major element of romantic love, er than their American counter- 13. Passion 8.75% nian Air Force crashed near successfully but with some while Russians and Lithuanians parts. 14. Cinema 8.75% damage to the stabilizer. rarely mentioned it, and Russians Rėkyva Lake. The study tried to find if love 15. Travel 8.75% and Lithuanians viewed romantic The L-39 ZA pilots both Prior to the training run, was a universally uniform concept 16. Tender 8.75% love as a temporary and inconse- survived after successfully the flight personnel had throughout the world. The US and 17. Attachment 8.75% quential state, even one of mad- ejecting. undergone all necessary Russia were chosen because for ness, while Americans saw it as an 18. Holding hands 8.75% The pilots were soon lo- instructions and medical so long they were seen as being ongoing union. at total odds with each other, and Russia cated and transported by the checks. The Europeans in the sample Lithuania was included because the 1. Being together 45% Lithuanian Air Force search The incident is currently saw love as an unreal state, while researchers thought that perhaps 2. Sex 25% and rescue helicopter Mi-8 under further investigation. Lithuania might represent a halfway Americans regarded it as a real point between the two cultures. 3. Walking 24% state. The study also found that Lithuanians and Russians are more The initial results were deduced 4. Unreal 20% Vilnius to have its own airline poetic about love, while the Ameri- from a survey of 1157 adults from 5. Beach/sea 19% cans are more pragmatic. – Zuokas the US, Russia and Lithuania where 6. Joyful 16% participants were asked to respond Lithuanians and Russians often Vilnius will get its own air- 7. Travel 15% Vilnius has an airline of its to 14 different statements about regard friendship as a possible out- line, Mayor Artūras Zuokas own. We are analyzing sev- 8. Moon stars 15% love. come of romantic love while Ameri- said in an interview with eral options, and what we cans see it as an important aspect The study found that about 90% 9. Candelight dinner 13% Verslo žinios on 29 August. need is to decide on the next of Lithuanians and Russians fall in 10. Night 11% from the beginning. Zuokas said that Vilnius step, which would be a let- love within a month, and 39% of 11. Kiss 10% This led the researchers to con- ter of intent,” the mayor told those fell in love within a few days. clude: has already discussed the 12. Talking 10% Verslo žinios. On the other side of the pond 58% … for Eastern Europeans one Lithuanian Express project 13. Fairytale 9% of Americans said it took between will find less support by friends with 12 companies. “We The most important issue two months and a year to fall in love. 14. Delusion 9% and family for those who have lost want to raise at least a mil- for the time being is how One finding these and other dif- 15. Crazy 8% at love, there will be less of a dis- lion euros from Lithuanian to choose the best prospect ferences they undertook a further 16. Holding hands 6% course of betrayal, and also that the companies and are invit- and the best model. He poll where they asked 40 males spurned lover recovers psychologi- ing companies to join this noted that it is most likely US and 40 females from each country cally much quicker with fewer psy- project,” he said. He men- that a municipal Vilnius De- to write down all the things they as- 1. Being Together 38% chic wounds (however measured) tioned that each of partici- velopment Company will sociated with love, and these find- 2. Happy 35% than their American counterparts. pants is expected to invest take part in this project as ings were further integrated into the 3. Friendship 27% There were some similarities a founder and as a share- study. some LTL100,000 (around 4. Mutual 20% among the American, Russian and €30,000). holder. The top ranking answers of what 5. Care 13% Lithuanian responses. All three “We’ll make sure that lithuaniatribune.com each nationality wrote had a few groups rated “being together,” “sex- surprises and can be seen below: 6. Love 13% ual passion” and “a state of emo- Lithuania 7. Sex 13% tional arousal-happiness/joy” as Zuokas makes world headlines 1. Being together 50% 8. Comfortable 11% features of romantic love. “Equality” 2. Joy 20% 9. Connection10% and “sex” were also two main fea- tures mentioned by the groups. 3. Walk 17.5% 10. Secure 10% The full report is available from 4. Emotional upsurge 17.5% 11. Do Anything 10% Cross Cultural Research at: http:// 5. Happy 16.25% 12. Trust 9% ccr.sagepub.com/content/45/2/128. 6. Kiss 15% 13. Commitment 9% full.pdf+html

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The footage and photos Editor tank behind Zuokas, yet he proved a hit as our humble Ray Vyšniauskas LiTnews is also distributed is missing from the photo re- [email protected] mayor, himself a keen pro- leased by the Mayor’s Office. by our priority partners: ponent of alternative energy, Deimantė Dokšaitė Many newspapers and was shown getting frustrated [email protected] agencies complained that Holiday Inn by illegally parked expen- Alistair Day-Sirrat they would not have run the Šeimyniškių g. 1, Vilnius, sive cars. [email protected] Lithuania photo if they knew it was Information, Editorial, Tel: +3705 210 30 00 As the smoke cleared how- doctored. Zuokas was a jour- Administration, Subscription, Email: [email protected] ever, a new concern arose nalist before moving into Distribution: [email protected] www.holidayinnvilnius.lt as it was discovered that politics. LiTnews News Lithuanian News Review - Henrikas Mickevičius joyed when she was first generally been declining derstood in narrow, ethnic but not elected, but she is still by since Lithuania joined civic, terms. As the first in a series of inter- far the most popular poli- the EU and a lot of the It is a dangerous situation. views with political and social tician in the country. How focus was lifted off us. It was the first time this year that commentators we talk to Henri- do you rate her first two Do we see any light at the PM took a stand against extrem- kas Mickevičius about a number years? the end of the tunnel or ism and he came out with a strong of issues concerning his work From my point of view has the economic down- statement after the 11 March dem- and views on current affairs in in general they were two turn allowed economic onstration which had Nazi under- Lithuania. good years and overall we concerns to overshadow tones. personal rights? Henrikas Mickevičius is the over- should evaluate her posi- Lithuania has recently been The situation will prob- worked Director of the under-funded tively. She brought fresh air shown to have the highest rates ably deteriorate more, but Human Rights Monitoring Institute into many areas of govern- of telephone bugging by the gov- ment and was especially not in economic terms. (Žmogaus teisių stebėjimo institu- ernment on its people. Is this active in bringing new peo- Economists say the worst tas) in Vilnius, Lithuania. something we should be con- ple to important key posi- is over, but in more broader Lithuania raised an international cerned with? tions, especially in the law terms it is a worry that there scandal a few weeks ago when This was misunderstood by the and regulatory and super- has been a long-term lack Austria released a suspect from media. This was not bugging as visory institutions like the of attention to the basics the 13 January 1991 TV tower such, but requesting information competition commission. of Lithuanian statehood: murders in Vilnius. Then they go about connections and not content; And they are, at least until democracy, the rule of law and supply Belarus with the bank- the fact that calls were made and not now, performing pretty well. and protection of human ing details of Ales Belyatsky, a what they said. She also came up with a number rights. Now we are seeing the con- leading human rights activist in But indeed the numbers are unex- of legal initiatives, especially against sequences. Belarus through which he was pectedly high. We have been speak- corruption, which are very good. Now the standard of human rights detained and faces up to seven ing for many years about the pro- President Grybauskaitė always is still declining and more recently years in jail. Is this a breakdown tection of privacy and it is not news emphasises the importance of the you can see rising extremism in in Lithuanian foreign policy? to us. This control over electronic human dimension in national poli- Lithuania in the form of exagger- These are two different issues. communications like phone and in- tics. Before her politics was largely ated ethnic patriotism which if not With Austria it is a more complicated ternet is pretty widespread and law seen from the perspective of nation- checked could lead to fascism, that situation. There is a strictly legal and enforcement relies on data from this al interest, but now more emphasis is where it usually starts. then a political side to the episode as evidence which is not correct. is placed on the people as individu- Lately we see objection on the and you need to separate them. The European Court of Human als. grounds of race, religion, colour or From a legal point of view it is dif- Policies don’t make sense unless sexual orientation. There is grow- Rights says that you cannot rely on ficult to criticise Austria, but the one they help the individual citizen, and ing criticism of the EU, which is also such evidence because they are not thing is that they only gave Lithuania she is the first high profile Lithuanian partly justified because EU struc- very reliable. This data can be forged a very short amount of time to sup- politician to fully understand that. tures are very bureaucratic and slow. and there are plenty of facts showing ply additional information, some four Less clear is her stance on foreign Political correctness dominates the that they can be manipulated. hours. Usually it is up to 48 hours, policy. There has been criticism of culture of the bloc. But there is no The law enforcement agencies but otherwise, in strictly legal terms, her in that she does not show clear alternative for Lithuania. and courts should turn back and we don’t have a case against Aus- direction. The President tries to be We should concentrate on im- work more traditionally instead of tria. friends with everyone, but with Be- proving the mechanism of the EU just relying on who called or wrote In more political terms Austria as larus for example she has become and not rejecting the idea of a united to whom. This way you can end up an EU member and Western coun- probably too friendly. Then with the More critically I think some cuts Europe. punishing people for crimes they did try had to think about showing some US, first we were on very good terms went too far. I don’t think it would Two odd bits of news about the not commit. solidarity. One cannot get away from but now less so. change much if pensions were not army. First saying it has been in- There is one clear example when the impression that what they did is But overall I would say she has cut as much and in the process we filtrated by skinheads and Nazis someone created an email address to formally look at the warrant and had a good two years. In the future created more poverty. and then by gays. I would guess with the name of a prominent public do all they could not to fill it. More the President’s office needs to be We had to look to cut more from that our army is the same as prosecutor, sent emails to various solidarity and dialogue would have more defined. It is still sometimes those with high incomes because any other in the world and has a people and tried to compromise him. been expected. not clear where her presidential cross-section of the community This is a clear example of how un- With Belarus it is a shameful the gap between the wealthy and powers start and finish. Her stand- in general. Are there any specific reliable it is to make certain conclu- act by the Lithuanian authorities. poor increased in this time and so ing on certain policies and her ac- problems with our armed forces sions on electronic communication. It shows me that law enforcement he didn’t look for savings in the right tions should be more defined and in particular? During the Paksas scandal we here, as well as some officials in places. The poor suffered the most. explained in greater detail. This is It is obvious lately that some of invited an IT expert to send an sms the executive branch of govern- Things are slowly improving but more of a personal issue with her. the professional soldiers and vol- message from one person to anoth- ment, are apolitical. They have no the government is totally fixed on Sometimes she doesn’t explain unteers represent a way of thinking er in the same room. He intercepted idea of the political context of the finances, there is no human dimen- her actions enough. She just says that conflicts with the basic premise that sms, changed it and then sent it law within which they are function- sion on the government agenda. she is doing this or that but doesn’t of modern Lithuanian statehood - on. It is easy for experts to manipu- ing. They purely see the text of the The PM and cabinet are focused explain why. democracy, human rights, pluralism late this information. law and they don’t take any regard totally on the economy. The thinking The Government has had a tough and tolerance of otherness. This is one more example of of the political or social context that is that if we come out of the reces- time during an economic crisis. The fact that a person is in the where law enforcement has to re- it operates in. sion well and improve the economy They have had to make unpopular uniform of the Lithuanian military think its way of collecting evidence A number of public officials are we will all be better off and the social decisions, but lately they seem to and entrusted with a weapon and not aware that the law in Lithua- problems will solve themselves. This in criminal cases. be stagnating. But then the op- in not true. had a swastika on his arm is a worry. Finally, as most of the world shies nia functions within a democratic Even if it is just a single person it system of values and that is how it position has done very little from We need to show solidarity to the away from Nuclear Power Lithua- shows that a person like that has a should be interpreted. Many here their side. For me they seem to be less fortunate and protect human nia signs a deal to build a new different idea of the Lithuanian state apply it very formally and just read just waiting for the economy to rights because it is important for in- one. Turns out this might be a bo- and how it should look. This is not the words and nothing more. There get better and thus avoid having dividuals to feel respected and safe nus as Lithuania’s plant is due to respecting tolerance, pluralism and is no law without a broader society to make any hard decisions. and to have equal opportunity. This come online in 2022 and Germany human rights. and this context creates political and I would agree. I would criticize creates a context where people re- plans to scrap all their reactors by social conditions, and in order to the opposition as much as govern- ally contribute to society, much more How can such a soldier defend a 2020. apply the law properly you have to ment. The opposition is extremely than when they are not empowered, state he disagrees with? That is the This is far from my area of exper- keep that in mind. weak. They occasionally criticize the safe or not equal. Lack of rights also most basic question. The swastika is tise, but there are a few broader is- This is a good example of where government but they offer no alter- leads to increased migration. a statement that I’m a Nazi and serv- sues. law is applied purely legalistically natives, just stating that the current There was a survey conducted by ing the Lithuanian state. And how do We are living without a power without evaluating whether the re- policies are too tough. They keep Vytautas Magnus University. They we know that such a person won’t station now and we must ask our- quest from the Belarus government saying the government should pro- surveyed Lithuanian immigrants in one day turn his weapon against a selves if we really need this new nu- would comply with the Lithuanian mote business and make less cuts, Norway, Spain, Ireland and the UK. person who in his mind represents clear station. It raises the question of idea of statehood. It is a shame and but there is no suggestion of how. Most said they stayed away be- the wrong version of Lithuanian whether it’s a political rather than a a mistake and they didn’t need to Overall I would evaluate the gov- cause they feel more respected, free statehood? economic project to emphasise our supply that information. ernment positively, especially Prime and safe than in Lithuania. These And some soldiers took part in the independence. Ales Belyatsky is an outstanding Minister Kubilius. I could not imagine are basic human rights. It is not bet- 11 March demonstration and some Perhaps it would be better to seek human rights defender and we be- anyone else in this position during ter economic conditions that keep other public events which show they alternative sources, perhaps wind, trayed him and his whole cause. I these tough times. He’s open to them away but the government and disagree with the fundamentals of solar or hydro, and still buy from don’t know what we can do to wash ideas and innovation and attracted society’s attitude to the individual. current Lithuanian statehood and it Russia using a combination of en- away this shame. a good team of progressive and dy- The PM is getting better in this raises questions of whether some- ergy resources. President Grybauskaitė recently namic people, and I would say that respect and turning more towards thing is wrong with the so-called pa- Some experts say that having nu- celebrated two years in office. Her the fact we came out of this crisis the broader social issues lately, but triotic education in the military. They clear plant would not make us inde- ratings have dropped since the way we did is essentially thanks to there is still a long way to go. see themselves as super-patriots pendent anyway as we would still be incredibly high approval she en- the Prime Minister. You said that human rights have and within the army this is only un- dependent on Russian nuclear fuels. Feature LiTnews Valančiūnas rapt he’s a Raptor

about the move to Toronto stead. as the Lithuanian basketball Sure he had a good year, As a basketball nation sat public. wide awake and on the edge but not what you’d call a of their chairs in the small During the previous season great year. Frankly you’d ex- hours of NBA draft morning, Siemens has been a regular pect more from a number five their dreams came true when haunt for NBA talent scouts, draft pick. Jonas Valančiūnas was cho- and the most prominent among them has been Mau- But Jonas’ enduring fea- sen fifth in the NBA draft and ture this year was his com- turned towards Toronto. rizio Gherardini, the Raptors Vice President and Assistant mitment and desire. He had First of all it was a bit of a GM who must have his own good games and he had bad surprise that Cleveland didn’t key to the place. games, he was benched when take the talented big man with he wanted to be playing and The good news is that To- a lot of potential at pick four - he was found wanting on a ronto are a Euro-centric fran- as was widely expected. number of occassions. chise, despite claiming they Seems the concern over the are not, and as such are keen Instead of swearing he lis- buyout of Valančiūnas’ exist- supporters of their players tened, and instead of blaming ing contract and his tender 19 representing their country others he worked harder in years of age probably swayed in international competition practice and he always kept Cleveland towards the more meaning there will be no club trying. game-ready Tristan Thomp- hindrance to Jonas donning There is always a buzz son who also has a massive the red, green and yellow. around the stadium when an wingspan and great athleti- (We remember that Ilgaus- NBA scout comes to Lithua- cism. kas sometimes quoted club nia to watch a local game adn If Jonas had been chosen concerns as his reason for not a local player, but this year it by Cleveland he would have playing for Lithuania, though happened so often that even been pulled into the team this was not the whole story, the press didn’t even care immediately and expected and after all Lebron made na- much where the latest NBA to play significant minutes tional duty.) scout was from. straight away. Toronto are also a forward- And Jonas didn’t play his A tough start to a long thinking club and are relaxed best games when the scouts and give him a taste of NBA pressive thing about Jonas career is the worst possi- with the reality that Jonas were watching, but they pressure as every time he Valančiūnas is the man him- ble tonic, as evidenced with needs another year in Europe, all saw the same thing, and steps onto the court I’m sure self, and I say man rather Martynas Andriuškevičius, at least, to mature both physi- what we’ve known for ages: his opponents won’t let him than boy. and with big men playing cally and as a player before Here is a talented young kid forget his pin-up boy status. well into their mid-thirties making his mark in the NBA. After winning the LKL ti- who is intent on making the there is no reason to hurry at Having dealt with a number And with the strong pos- tle last year we joked that he most of his God-given gifts this stage. Still, tell that to a of European clubs and having sibility of an NBA lock-out needed to learn how to swear and has done so remaining young buck eager to prove good relations with Lietu- next season, it means Jonas in English properly to be bet- a genuine and good natured himself. vos Rytas, they also weren’t won’t be wasting a year of ter prepared for increased in- person – probably his great- scared off by the contract valuable playing experience ternational competition. est achievement of all. Jonas announced that he buy-out issues. running the same drills over was delighted to be heading But the best thing is that he Let’s all hope the basket- and over again on the prac- to Toronto. And of course the The extra year in Europe didn’t need the lessons. Not ball gods are good to Jonas tice courts and will instead Kleiza connection will really will be of great benefit to Jo- because he learnt to swear Valančiūnas and one day be improving his craft on the give Lithuanian basketball nas. First to give his body a elsewhere, but because he UNESCO might also name hardwood floors of Europe. a boost. But in reality Jonas chance to mature, give him chose to put his faith in hard him a significant Lithuanian probably isn’t half as happy more time in the weight room But for me the most im- work and commitment in- treasure. LiTnews Culture

Grybauskaitė Eco shopping to be patron of Capital Days in World Lithuanian making an impact Youth Forum Vilnius The World Lithuanian Youth As- sociation is planning to stage a world forum next year which would bring together young Lithuanians living all over the world. This forum would be first of its kind and scale and would unite young Lithuanians from the fields of art, business, science, politics and sport. On 12 August - International Youth Day – a group from the World Lithuanian Youth Association pre- sented the idea to President Dalia Grybauskaitė who was keen to en- courage young Lithuanians to work Surprisingly, about half of ucts. together and strengthen Lithuanian communities abroad as well as The first weekend of Sep- this year’s Capital Days. Lithuanians choose to buy While a move towards eco-friendly food and the bring their ideas back home. tember in Vilnius is tradi- eco products and maintain- And for the closing night most popular place for eco “Lithuania needs energetic tionally dedicated to Capital the Lithuanian State Sym- shopping is a traditional ing a healthier lifestyle are young brains, active, pro-active, Days (Sostinės dienos). market. These conclusions to be encouraged, there creative and responsible young phony Orchestra together arose from a recent TNS At- is need for some caution people. Your knowledge and expe- For the seventeenth year with Lithuanian opera sing- las™ survey. when buying eco products. rience acquired abroad can greatly organisers of the event will ers will perform arias from put on a full range of varied benefit our nation. I am happy you the operas Eugene Onegin, “Our survey shows that Eco products are subject and free concerts, perform- to EU regulations and most are trying to maintain your ties with Bohemia, The magic Flute Lithuanians are not in- your homeland,” Grybauskaitė ances, exhibitions and fairs packaged goods require different to so called eco said. as life gets back to normal and Sweeney Todd. fashion – almost every sec- strict adherence to specified with the kids back at school Many other events are ond Lithuanian purchases standards. The President also underlined the importance of regular contact and most people back from also planned. There will be some eco goods. But so far The situation in mar- their holidays. residents of Lithuania pay in maintaining and strengthening an open air cinema in Town kets can differ as there is most attention to eco food links with Lithuania. She urged the As last year Gedimino Hall Square, where you’ll no packaging and you are and drinks,” said Justina World Lithuanian Youth Associa- Avenue will get a new name be able to watch the basket- relying on the word of the tion to look for new, innovative and for the weekend – Hum- Tauginienė, from TNS LT ball on the big screen there vendor. interensting ways to strengthen the ming Avenue (Dūzgiantis Media department. and cheer on the Lithuanian Caution is advised as Lithuanian identity, to form and join prospektas). The main Vil- The survey found that into communities and to keep con- team with thousands of oth- 46% of Lithuanians aged eco-products usually sell at nius artery gets the appro- tact with Lithuanians all over the er like minded maniacs. 15–74 said they buy eco a premium, and the prom- priate monika as more than world. 100 different events are due goods. More women (48%) ise that the produce was As always there will be “It is very important to establish to take place during an in- than men said that they buy grown in a grandmother’s the mandatory street fair eco goods. links between young Lithuanians tense three days. backyard does not auto- here and abroad. Today everyone which will feature many The main consumers of matically mean that no fer- The main concerts of traditional and contempo- is talking about youth emigration Capital Days will be held green or eco products are tilisers were used, even by and the loss of potential. We, on rary Lithuanian arts and in the most central and spa- 30–49 year old residents of accident, and that there has the other hand, are seeking for cious square of the old town crafts, as well as many im- larger cities. Eco goods are been no contamination of the best possible ways for world mostly appreciated by fam- – Cathedral Square. promptu cafes and eateries the soil in the last three to Lithuanian youth to contribute in ilies with children – 55%. where people can try differ- five years. the creation of better economic and The opening concert will Only one in three Lithua- social life in Lithuania,” Ieva Dav- feature the well known but ent cuisines or just the usual nians older than 50 buys There are specialty mar- ydenko, a representative of World always fresh Lithuanian garlic bread and beer. eco products. kets in Vilnius which are Lithuanian Youth Association in band Empti, and the head- There will be stages From all different sorts of governed by an eco asso- Lithuania told LiTnews. line act for the night will be throughout the city, includ- green goods food products ciation, and the vendors some guests from Iceland The staging of a World Lithua- ing V.Kudirkos square, and drinks are the most pop- are more willing to tell you nian Youth Forum was discussed in - Gus Gus. This band is al- Lukiškių Square and an- ular, as 41% of participants about the care and process- Punsk, the Lithuanian town in Po- most as famous as their fel- of the survey said they had es they undertake to grow land, where the European Lithua- low Icelander Bjork. other stage by the National purchased eco food. their crops, but care is still nian Youth community had their The next night the Lithua- Drama Theatre. Every fifth buys other required. annual meeting in early August. nian band BrassBastardz Keep an eye out for other eco goods such as cosmet- Apart from the Youth Forum promise a very hot perform- acts like Amberlife, Swing ics, soap and nappies. Only There has been a boom in the number of specialty other topics discussed included ance. These guys won the Zyppers, clowns and street 1 in 10 buys eco-friendly Lithuanian branding, the involve- eco shops around Vilnius prestigious People’s Music performers and even some clothes or shoes. ment of young Lithuanians from and even larger Lithuanian Awards this year. Following For eco shopping Lithua- abroad into state strategies such line dancing. towns, and even the large them will be a top interna- nians go to the market or as ‘Lithuania 2030’ and ‘Global tional band from Germany Capital Days runs from special shops, but the mar- supermarket chains like Lithuania’ and other associated is- Club Des Belugas – who Friday 2 September to Sun- ket has no big competition, Maxima, Rimi and Iki all sues. then it comes to food prod- have eco sections now. must be the biggest stars of day 4 September 2011. Culture LiTnews Why Live in Lithuania?

corporate careers are not that lost the skill of questioning Deimantė Dokšaitė Ieva Davydenko great. the status quo, maybe due to Darius Udrys Lithuanians like to complain. This is what makes it so having lived under two dif- But who doesn’t? If all the exciting for those who are ferent systems (though some complaints about Lithuania adventurous. In Lithuania, might say there’s not much were true, this country would things happen very quickly. difference between the two be empty by now. Trends catch on real fast. lately...). People get in touch with each The standard of cultural So often we say how hard other and implement projects events is very high, very cre- it is to live here and how in together without too much ative, and very accessible. a ‘normal’ country something delay and bureaucracy. As or other would never happen. Once you get out of the cit- such, it has a massive edge ies, the air is clean and you So with all the whining over established, process- won’t come across any dan- going on, we decided to ask centered, compliance-heavy gerous spiders or snakes (un- the opposite question: What Vice-Rector for Develop- countries. like Australia). ment and International Re- is good about living in Also, Lithuania is small. If Lithuania? The sun doesn’t feel as lations at the European Hu- Representative of World one is successful and quick, harsh here, there’s little threat manities University. Born And we asked people who Lithuanian Youth Associa- they can climb up to the pin- of a prolonged drought, and and raised in the USA, now can make the comparison – tion in Lithuania. Studied in nacle of prominence and in- the cost of living is not over- living in Lithuania. all of them have lived else- the UK. fluence in no time. inflated (unlike Australia). Why is it good to live in where – some even born in You can enjoy the spring For those with above-aver- another country. Lithuania? Serene sunsets blossom, feel the refreshing age incomes (and, I believe, by the lake; fog rising from summer breeze, watch the But all of them are Lithua- average incomes too) Lithua- Laurynas Baublys the meadows and dales; nians now living here in leaves falling and wait for nia offers a great quality of lush green forests and ver- Lithuania. real, white Christmas! living: nature is close at hand, dant fields; the quiet echo of It’s easy to have a nice food is wholesome and inex- music and laughter through breakfast at the beach, enjoy pensive, traffic is relatively cobblestone streets and me- Jurga Vidugirienė a canoe ride in Dzūkija and light unless you choose to dieval courtyards; thatched enjoy a party in the old town live in wrong part of the city mossy roofs and bright yel- of capital Vilnius! and commute every day, in low houses; steeples and Lithuania is like a real which case it can be as miser- towers bathed in warm city youngster - fresh, promising able as anywhere. light against the dark blue and sometimes crazy! When I moved back to Vil- night sky; good conversation nius after almost 17 years in with good friends over good the UK, many viewed this as beer; women - wise, witty me slowing down. In fact, I and pretty; men - spirited and Andrius Užkalnis feel like I am operating in a proud; grandmother’s and higher gear than ever. I never Businessman. Has studied grandfather’s stories; a thou- had my life so full of events in the UK. sand-year history of triumph as I do now. Lithuania is probably not and tragedy at the crossroads the best country to live in if of East and West; and the you just want to fulfil your spirits of those who lived, basic needs. fought and died to be free. Deputy Director for In- Albina Strunga You can find countries ternational Studies at Inter- where salaries are much Leonas Narbutis national School of Law and higher, food is cheaper and Business in Vilnius. Jurga you do not need to pay for has lived in Ireland for an ex- heat. tended period. Journalist and writer. Has However Lithuania has I love living in Lithuania lived in the UK. something which is hard to because here I have even Lithuania is not for every- describe, but gives me the more opportunities than I had feeling “I am at home”. when living abroad. body. Come to think of it, life itself is not for everybody, as Triggering this feeling I Public activist. Has lived in People in Lithuania are would say is the biggest ad- USA. Doug Stanhope said at some Freelance translator. Born, open to new ideas and differ- vantage Lithuania has ever Many times I have posed point. Lithuania is not very grew up and has lived in Aus- ent experiences and I’m more had. this question to myself and well positioned for those who tralia. than happy having the oppor- are weaker and less dynamic, Funny, but most often every time I came back with tunity to share my knowledge or for those who are thinking Depending on your frame we realize how good it is at the same answer: Lithuania with everyone here. of a career in a big corporate of mind, there is quite a lot home only after “losing” it is the place where I want to And my son can communi- enterprise. Career ladders of freedom and opportunity for some time. be, but not because of the cate in Lithuanian! What else here are short and steep and in Lithuania. The people I’ve politics of the government, or could you ask for? come across here have not because the friendliest people live there, at least not until you get to know them. But, let me put it this way: The dif- ferent living experiences that my friends have encountered there in their lives, make my life more interesting, when I try to compare, interact and sometimes adjust to my new surroundings, which in some instances can and do become challenges. Since life is a challenge, why not make it more interesting. And that is one of the reasons why it is good to live in Lithuania. LiTnews Economics & Finance

Apartment prices up Unemployment slightly in Vilnius but in Lithuania remain low elsewhere drops to 15.6% Our goal is not the Euro but a stable According to the estimates (3.3%) more than in I quar- of the Labour Force Survey ter. Over the quarter the financial system – conducted by Statistics most noticeable increase in Kubilius Lithuania, the unemploy- the number of persons em- Lithuania’s main objec- ment rate in Lithuania dur- ployed was in agriculture, tive is not the adoption of ing II quarter 2011 stood at forestry and fishing (up the Euro, but to establish a 15.6%, which is 1.6% less 13,600), trade (up 12,600), sound and stable financial than in I quarter 2011. Over industry (up 7,700), and system, Prime Minister An- the year the unemployment construction (up 6,300); a drius Kubilius said on 23 rate decreased by 2.7%. decrease in the number of August 2011. In II quarter 2011 com- persons employed was seen ‘The euro is just a techni- in human health and social pared to I quarter, the cal tool. Our goal is to live male unemployment rate work (down 5,200) and within our means. We have decreased by 1.9% and accommodation and food to seek one foremost thing stood at 18.5%, while fe- service (down 3,100). – to ensure the consistent male unemployment was The employment rate decline of the public deficit down 1.2% at 12.7%. In II of persons aged 15–64 in so that it is lower than three quarter 2011 the urban un- percent of GDP next year. II quarter 2011 stood at employment rate was 13% ‘In the case of a double (down 1.2%), while rural 60.8%; over the quarter, it grew by 1.7%. The male dip recession around the unemployment was 21.8% world, a large deficit would employment rate was al- (down 2.6%). cause us much pain since most equal for male and The youth (aged 15–24) we would have to borrow female: in II quarter 2011, on international financial unemployment rate in II the male (aged 15–64) em- quarter 2011 was 33.6%. markets so as to finance our ployment rate was 60.7%, Over the quarter youth un- expenditures which exceed female 60.8%. employment rate decreased the revenues of the national budget,” Prime Minister by 0.5%, over the year by The youth (aged 15–24) 3.5%. In II quarter 2011, employment rate in II quar- Kubilius said in an inter- view on Lietuvos Radijas just as in I quarter, each ter 2011 stood at 19.2%; radio station, and as report- tenth person aged 15–24 over the quarter, it dropped ed by lithuaniatribune.com was unemployed (9.7 and by 0.2%. 10.1% respectively). Over the quarter, the em- The long-term unem- ployment rate of the elderly ployment rate in II quarter (aged 55–64) dropped by 2011 stood at 8% and was 0.2% and stood at 49.7%. 0.7% lower than in I quar- ter 2011. Statistical information was prepared based on La- According to the esti- mates of the Labour Force bour Force Survey data. Survey, in II quarter 2011, The survey is carried out in there were 255,600 unem- all EU countries following ployed persons, which is a common methodology 22000 (7.9%) less than in I and the concepts of the em- quarter 2011. Over the year ployed persons and an un- the number of the unem- employed person applied ployed dropped by 41,600 by the International Labour (14%). Organization, which makes More than half (58.5%) its results comparable of unemployed had gen- across countries. eral upper secondary or vocational upper secondary Unemployment qualifications, while one in in the Baltic seven (14%) had general lower secondary education, States and one in eight (12.8%) According to the data had completed higher or of the statistical offices post-secondary tertiary ed- of the Baltic States, in II ucation. quarter 2011, the highest In II quarter 2011, every unemployment rate of the second unemployed person population aged 15–74 was (51.5%) was long-term un- in Latvia (16.2%), the low- employed. The number of est – in Estonia (13.3%); in long-term unemployed in II Lithuania, it stood at 15.6%. quarter 2011 was 131,600 - Over the quarter, the largest 9.400 (6.7%) less than in I decrease in the unemploy- quarter 2011. ment rate – by 1.6% – was In II quarter 2011, the recorded in Lithuania; in number of persons work- Estonia, the unemployment ing in the country was rate decreased by 1.1%, in 1,385,000, or 44,700 Latvia – by 0.4%. Sport LiTnews Sport National Team Shorts News

TENNIS With Lithuania about to em- bark upon their Eurobasket Lithuania’s two tennis aces 2011 campaign, all eyes are Berankis and Grigelis failed to turned towards Panevėžys to make the main draw of the US see how they will qualify from Open. the group stages. Both players contested the As always, national team se- qualifying tournament, although lection and the warm-up games Berankis won one game and have posed more questions Grigelis two, it was not enough than they have answered, as for either to advance. every Lithuanian becomes an In the latest ratings Berankis expert and assistant coach. has risen to 133 while Grigelis Lithuania have a tough-ish has jumped up to 239. draw with Spain and Turkey sharing their group and only Universiade three of six teams advancing to Lithuania took 13th spot out New Kaunas Stadium Opens the next round. of 151 nations and 10,603 par- While the UK, Poland and ticipants competing in 24 sports Portugal might sound like easy for 306 gold medals. prey, the added pressure of with Victory over Spain playing at home has made sec- Lithuania finished with five ond round action less of a cer- gold, five silver and three Two unlikely events occured on proved well founded however as the only glimpse of the full potential tainly than we’d like. bronze medals at the games. the same night in Kaunas on 18 the opening went off without a hitch of the Lithuanian team as they were August - the Kaunas Basketball and proved a gala occassion for all. bouyed by the overwhelming parti- The UK are preparing for The hosts China topped the the 2012 Olympics and fea- medal rankings by a large mar- Stadium made its official debut While there was still obviously san support. ture some NBA talent, Poland gin, with Russia second and after many delays and setbacks, some work to be done, we saw that In total contrast to their game defeated Lithuania two years South Korea third. and Lithuania overcame the the stadium was fully functional and in Spain, Litthuania controlled the might of Spain to the delight of the added time before Eurobasket ago in the European Champi- Lithuania finished ahead of encounter from start to finish and the capacity crowd of 15,000. moves to Kaunas should be more onships and might have some Australia (14), France (17), showed that they had the players There had been growing concern than enough for the finishing touch- and coaching staff to compete, and local fans of their own, and Por- Great Britain (29) and Canada tugal are qualifiers with nothing that the new Kaunas stadium and es to be applied. indeed overcome the title favour- (43). to lose. venue for the finals of Eurobasket Similar concerns about Klaipėda ites. The next Universiade will 2011 would not be ready in time as were also cast aside the previous Meanwhile Lithuania enters take place in Russia in two Beyond Eurobasket 2011, it is deadline after deadline passed and weekend as their stadium proved it the campaign without Linas years. hoped that Lithuania can make the the championships loomed ever was also ready for action. Kleiza who carried the team to most out of its renewed basketball bronze in the World Champion- closer. While the builders would have infrastructure to shore up and pro- STRONGMAN ships last year, and swingman The confidence of local officials been happy with their labour, so mote our basketball talent for years Mačiulis will be sorely missed Vytautas Lalas from Mažeikai and the Basketball Federation were the Lithuanian fans as they got to come. for his versatility and defensive took top honours at the interna- intensity. tional Strongman competition The return of Jasikevičius to held in Marijampolė recently. national duties has polarised A large crowd was out to Record flag decorates fans and experts alike. The re- support all contestants in the turn of one Lavrinovičius broth- endurance event and this year er, Songaila, Kaukenas and they were asked to pull a 20 ton Petravičius lifts the average age truck 25 metres, which only Vi- Panevėžys stadium of the team significantly from das Blekaitis managed, and in the team that performed so gal- just 75 seconds. lantly in Turkey last year. Lalas won the competition by Coach Kemzūra has shown the smallest of margins, pipping that he can control and com- Blekaitis by just half a point. municate with the younger and FOOTBALL fresher version of our national Lithuania start their World team, and we believe he’ll be Cup campaign with a game able to instill the same grit and against Lichtenstein. determination into this year’s charges. Drawn in Group G Lithuania has as good a chance as it Defence is still a problem could hope for in making their with the team and easy points under the opposition bucket World Cup debut. has become a bugbear in this With Greece and Slovakia preparation campaign. the favourites to take the two The Lithuanian team is also top spots, Bosnia-Herzegovina still suspect against high pres- is the most likely to take the sure defence, as we found out third and last qualifying spot for against Slovenia, and found it the next round. hard to handle versatile teams But form and a few surprises like Russia. could rock this group as the Shooting form has evaded Lithuanian basketball fans were stitching. easy as in just over an hour the other two teams - Latvia and the team throughout the warm- keen to give their national team Liechtenstein - should make The best ideas start as impos- yellow, green and red stripes had up games. This is especially a bit of an edge in the group this an even competition. sible dreams they said, and so the surrounded the game court and our annoying as Lithuanians are games in Panevėžys, so decided Lithuania started its last idea was born in April this year as dedicated and impassioned fans known for their long range ac- to surprise them with a 282 by 8.7 World Cup qualifying campaign they sat around discussing what stood back to admire their work. curacy, but so far they have well before losing form and any metre flag to cover the bicycle they might do to spur on their charg- Now we just need to add 14 been no threat from behind the chance of progressing after a track of the PaneveÏys basketball es during Eurobasket 2011. three point line. shock loss to the Faroe Islands. stadium. drummers drumming to fully get It sounded crazy, but the thought the best out of Lithuania’s national Still, with the home-crowd ATHLETICS Tomas Balaišis or Sėkla is the of surrounding the whole stadium advantage Lithuania should basketball team and their bid for the public face of the drum-beating with the Lithuanian tri-colour flag be able to move into the next Lithuania had a dissapoint- Lithuanian fans, but he is keen to European Championships and an ing showing at the IAAF World began to fall into place. rounds without too much trou- point out that he is part of a dedi- Olympic berth for London in 2012. Championships in Korea. The cycling track inside the sta- ble. And if they can do so losing cated group and all of them equally only one game at most, then The best finish was a sixth dium proved perfect for their vision, And rumour is that there is an- support and work for their national they will be better prepared with place for Virgilijus Alekna, and and became host to the largest other surprise flag waiting in the team. Petras Valinčius, Raimundas a strong position going into Vil- Austra Skujyte (heptathalon) Lithuanian flag ever made. wings which will be uncovered as Lumbis and Audrius Žalakevičius nius. and Kristina Saltanovic also made the trip up to Panevėžys With good planning and meas- the Lithuanian team enters the Here’s hoping it’s all good (20k walk) both taking eighth. on Monday to hoist the flag which urement, the laying of the flag, so Panevėžys court for their first game news as you read this. involved over two kilometres of to speak, proved comparatively against Great Britain on 31 August.