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Lithuania’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to and the Republic of the Philippines, Doctor Habilitatis Algirdas Kudzys Lithuania’s representation in Japan

ourteen years ago Japan We approached the Lithuanian Ambassador to Japan and the Re- acknowledged the restoration of public of the Philippines, Dr Habil Algirdas Kudzys, to find out what independence in Lithuania. This year, steps have been taken to increase Lithuanian and Japanese cultural, for the first time, Lithuania will take political and economic co-operation. The ambassador and his colleagues, Fpart in the world exhibition EXPO . Asta Chaladauskienë and Vytautas Gaisrys, responded by e-mail to the Although we can hardly notice direct questions of our editor Saulius Gudeliauskas. investments by Japanese companies in Lithuania and Lithuanian businesses cannot – How are you getting with establishing and maintaining business relations and what major obstacles do you encounter? boast great success stories in the Land of the –Lithuania and Japan have had long-lasting governmental, Rising Sun, intensifying cultural exchange and business, cultural and scientific research relationships (2005 will be active political relations are the first positive the 83rd anniversary of diplomatic relations established between the two steps towards future economic co-operation countries). There are quite a few active people and organisations both in between the countries. Lithuania and Japan who try to bring the two nations and countries

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closer. However, fifty years of Soviet occupation erased the name of Lithuania delegation, in July, by the Kagawa province business federation Keizai off the world map, and as a result, most Japanese know very little or Doyukai and by a delegation of parliamentarians and Tokyo businessmen nothing about our country. This lack of knowledge about Lithuania brings in September). The Lithuanian Development Agency is also an active fewer Japanese tourists and almost zero Japanese investment to our participant in EU investment promotion seminars in Japan. Participation country compared to other new EU members, which, though being part of in such events is of great importance for dissemination of information the socialist block, retained their independence and maintained regular because Japanese business publications provide little information on contacts with Japan. business conditions in Lithuania. Last March, members of the Japanese Business Federation Keidanren, led by the European Committee Vice-President and NEC – Has the Japanese attitude towards Lithuania changed since computer hardware Company Chairman of the Board Hajime Sasaki, Lithuania’s accession to the EU? visited Lithuania. They met with the managers of the biggest Lithuanian – In my opinion, EU membership is a positive factor in many aspects, companies and representatives of the Lithuanian Confederation of especially for Lithuania’s image in Japan. Here, the EU expansion process Industrialists to analyse the Lithuanian business environment and to had very broad media coverage and people followed it with great interest. look for joint venture opportunities. Keidanren members expressed their This made our small country much more noticeable in distant Japan and approval of Lithuanian economic and social achievements and their hope the Lithuanian identity was presented in a very European context rather for the expansion of bilateral economic relations. During the same month than a Soviet one. the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists sent a delegation of 11 EU and NATO membership made Japanese businessmen interested

Employees of the Lithuanian Embassy to Japan in April 2005. From left Commemoration of the 85th anniversary of Lithuanian Independence and

th >> to right: Kristina Ðaltë, Aurelijus Zykas, Ambassador Algirdas Kudzys, >> the 80 anniversary of diplomatic relations between Lithuania and Japan Asta Chaladauskienë, Vytautas Gaisrys in Tokyo. During the event a concert of reed pipe player Antanas Smolskus and saxophonist Petras Vyðniauskas was held and Kuji Mayor Yoshiaki Kuji (in the centre with his wife) was awarded the Cross of Officer of the Order of Vytautas the Great for merits in the development of Lithuanian – Japanese relations

Lithuanian companies to Japan. in the Lithuanian business environment. According to the Lithuanian Lithuanian businessmen who wish to establish business contacts Embassy, the number of business enquiries increased three to four fold. in Japan have to be very patient and should be aware that the Japanese European Union membership gave Lithuanian SMEs the opportunity to market will accept only high quality products. They have to learn to keep take part in the EU export promotion programme “EU Gateway to Japan”. to the terms of their contracts. This is extremely important - quite often This EU financed program is an attractive option for Lithuanian companies business contacts are broken as a result of promises which are not kept. that have products suitable for the Japanese market and a clear export On the whole, Japanese businessmen are pleased with the price and the strategy. In April 2005, our fashion designers Sandra Straukaitë, Giedrius quality of Lithuanian products. Indeed, Lithuanian companies are following Šarkauskas, Aleksandras Pogrebnojus and Vida Simanavièiûtë went on other EU producers who are known in Japan for their high quality products. a business mission under the “EU Gateway to Japan” programme. UAB The Lithuanian Embassy in Japan helps Japanese businesses to Contraforma, a producer of exclusive design furniture, is going to Japan in discover Lithuania by arranging visits to our country (in June, Lithuania June. Programme applicants are selected by the EU Commission will be visited by the Hokaido district’s Sapporo Chamber of Commerce and Eurochambres, the EU Association of Chambers of Commerce. >

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Ambassadors of European Union member states to Japan with

the Chairman of the Japanese Parliament House of Representatives >> Yohei Kono (in the centre of the second row)

The programme co-ordinator in Lithuania is the Lithuanian Association and what is the image of Lithuania among the Japanese public? of Chambers of Commerce (LPPARA), which can be contacted regarding – Officially, Japan treats Lithuania as a new EU member and as the terms of participation in “EU Gateway to Japan”. one of the three Baltic States. Although Japan’s foreign policy sees these countries in similar light, officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of – What is the situation regarding Japanese investments and which Japan often express their view that Lithuania has the most active relations Lithuanian products have found a niche in the Japanese market? with Japan. It will be difficult for Lithuania to find its way onto the list of – Japanese investment in Lithuania is very symbolic – the total Japan’s top priority countries in the near future. Over the fourteen years of Japanese investment in our country is under LTL 10 million (which does independence almost every Lithuanian leader has visited Japan – from not include the joint Yazaki and Siemens investment which is, for statistical different ministers, to prime ministers A. Šleþevièius and G. Vagnorius, to purposes, regarded as German). According to the Lithuanian Department the Chairman of the Supreme Council V. Landsbergis, the Chairman of the of Statistics, Japan is not among the fifty biggest investors in Lithuania. Seimas A. Paulauskas and finally our presidents Algirdas Brazauskas At present, seven Japanese capital companies operate in our country; all and Valdas Adamkus. The most memorable of these visits was Lithuania’s of them are Small and Medium Enterprises. first Premier’s after the restoration of independence. Danutë Kazimiera The special trade system data in the Lithuanian Department of Prunskienë’s visit was of great political significance to Lithuania. On the Statistics show that in 2004 Lithuanian exports to Japan amounted to Japanese side, only the Ministrers of Foreign Affairs of Japan Muneo LTL 34.9 million while imports from Japan amounted to LTL 106.4 million. Suzuki and Shigeo Uetake, and Deputy Chairman of the Upper House Compared to 2003 bilateral trade volume has decreased. Actually, bilateral Kozo Watanabe have visited Lithuania. Nevertheless, Lithuania is currently trade between these two countries is not stable, no visible tendencies can establishing its position in the list of Japan’s priority countries. Awareness be observed due to extreme fluctuation of trade volumes. of its geopolitical identity is also increasing. For instance, a year ago, Lithuania mainly exports furniture, textile and diary products, but the structures of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan dealing with small amounts of high added value products such as lasers and optics are bilateral Japanese relations were reorganised due to EU expansion. also exported to Japan. Imports from Japan include cars and electronic Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were relocated to the Western European products. Department of the European Affairs Office which includes all the Scandinavian countries, the United Kingdom and the other EU old- – What is the Japanese government’s official view of Lithuania guard. The other new EU members are handled by the Central and South-

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eastern European Department. This simple example illustrates the new is not only highly valued and nurtured but also plays a significant part in trends in the Japanese geopolitical philosophy. Japanese diplomacy. The Japanese are proud of their culture and fostered The Japanese public is curious by nature. They take note of new traditions, which contributed to making their professionalism and work and interesting events. However, the embassy and the Lithuanian methods renowned worldwide. On the other hand, Japan is a country representatives find it difficult to explain to the Japanese that Lithuania where there is great interest in the culture of other countries, as culture is is not a Soviet state any more, that it is not a Russian province, and that believed to be the key to the “kokoro” (heart) of a country. As ambassador, Lithuanian is one of the oldest European languages akin to Sanskrit the person who is directly responsible for building Lithuania’s image in rather than the Russian language. Japan, I often think that Lithuania, with its viable and vast cultural As I have already mentioned, EU membership is very useful to us potential and numerous high level cultural manifestations, could make a but it is still very important to show the real Lithuania and the political, valuable long-term contribution if it had a more streamlined cultural ethical reliable and quality standards Japanese administration, scientists, policy in Japan. First of all, Lithuania should appoint a cultural attaché businessmen and the public should expect from our country in the future. and make better use of such an advantageous tool of image building, Speaking of Lithuania’s image in Japan, we can’t leave out the namely the qualified representation of Lithuanian culture in Japan. Our name of the Vice-Consul Chiune Sugihara, who was stationed in Kaunas culture is the area that we should be most proud of. We should use it to in 1939-1940. After this diplomat was recognised as Righteous among introduce ourselves to the world. the Nations by the Yad Vashem Martyrs Remembrance Authority in Although our embassy does not have a cultural relations officer. Jerusalem and his deeds were acknowledged by the Japanese government The First Secretary Asta Chaladauskienë, who is responsible for political

The ambassador’s daughter Erika greets Honorary Consul President of the Japanese Parliament upper house Chikage Oogi

Hidekatsu Fujii with flowers on the Diplomatic Mission visited the Mindaugas Coronation Day event at the Lithuanian

>> >> opening on 28 October 2004 Embassy (greeted by Ambassador Algirdas Kudzys) in 1992, he became famous in Japan. The Japanese still see Sugihara as issues, gives a lot of her energy and personal time so that the beat of the most important link between our countries. The Lithuanian Embassy Lithuanian culture would be felt in this distant country. tries to use Sugihara’s story to attract the Japanese public to Lithuania – the historical place of his famous deeds of rescuing thousands of Jews. – Do you know which Lithuanians are the most popular in Japan? On April 22 of this year we commemorated the 105th anniversary of – I think you would be amazed to know that they are M.K. Èiurlionis Sugihara’s birth (in the town of Yaotsu in the Gifu district) which was and J. Mekas. The M.K. Èiurlionis exhibition opened in the Saison Art attended by Environment Minister Arûnas Kundrotas. We planted Museum in 1992, before the establishment of the Lithuanian Embassy in Lithuanian oak trees from Kaunas and invited the Japanese people to Japan. Drawings by Èiurlionis arouse great interest among the Japanese listen to Lithuanian folklore and jazz improvisations performed by public. The exhibition was visited by Emperor , who still remembers V. Povilionienë and P. Vyšniauskas. it and still expresses his admiration whenever Lithuanian officials visit his Palace. The symbolism, sounds and subtlety of Èiurlionis’ drawings – How does the embassy improve cultural relations between are very close to the Japanese spirit. Many times I’ve witnessed the countries? the impact of his works on the Japanese. I believe that we should arrange – Cultural relations belong to an important area that requires a broader presentation of the works of Èiurlionis in a prestigious Tokyo art a long-term view. Lithuania can really learn a lot from Japan. Here culture gallery. >

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The Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra directed by

>> Saulius Sondeckis was invited on five occasions to play in Japan

by an old and faithful Lithuanian friend, Professor Ikuo Murata). I would not be exaggerating in saying that J. Mekas was the highlight of the event. There is quite a big group of J. Mekas enthusiasts in Tokyo which organises monthly viewings of his experimental films. The embassy tries to link the name of this world famous Lithuanian artist with our country. Last year we invited film director A. Matelis to the annual EU film days. It’s interesting that a completely unknown Lithuanian film director and his documentaries created such great interest in Tokyo. The Japanese really want to know more about states which have recently been created or regained their independence and they really appreciate Lithuania’s Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito by invitation cultural creative works.

of the Lithuanian ambassador attended >> the orchestra’s concert in Tokyo Opera City Perhaps some people don’t know that 2005 is EU-Japan Year of on 29 January 2004 International Exchanges. This was decided during the 11th Japanese and EU summit in 2002. The overall aim is to develop exchanges, contact and J. Mekas is a unique phenomenon in Japan and deserves a special understanding between the people in Japan and in the European Union, note. Last year we invited J. Mekas, the world famous producer of and using it as a springboard for closer partnership in the future. The best experimental cinema and director of the independent film “Anthology” example of this idea is the project of International Art Village in from New York, to represent Lithuania in the EU literary reading “West Nishiaizu. Under this project, two Lithuanian artists (graphic artist goes East and the Twin will meet” in Japan. There, the 83-year-old artist Eglë Micikevièiûtë and sculptor Kæstutis Lanauskas) live and work in presented amazing visual material specifically prepared for this event a small town in Fukuoka district trying to turn it into a Lithuanian with readings from his early poetry selections “Idyles of Semeniškiai” cultural centre. The embassy supports these kinds of projects and assists (this is a single text of contemporary Lithuanian translated into Japanese in their implementation. We appreciate every opportunity to spread

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the good news about Lithuania in Japan. one hundred Lithuanian performers will take part in solo and group acts We will pursue the same goal this year in extending the Japanese which would be attended by the Lithuanian Prime Minister. Currently our knowledge of Lithuania through cinema. In May, in co-operation with embassy is making every effort to allow Lithuanian artists and performers a Lithuanian Film Studios, we screened A. Puipa’s film “Wolf Teeth Beads” to reach Tokyo. I hope that these efforts would not be in vain. during EU film days. In October, in co-operation with Waseda University in Japan, the Lithuanian Institute and the Lithuanian Film Promotion – Does the Lithuanian community in Japan help you to develop and Information Agency, we are going to arrange a more comprehensive co-operation between the two countries? introduction to Lithuanian cinema for Tokyo’s academics as well as critics – The number of Lithuanians in Japan is rapidly increasing. Ten as part of a “Lithuanian Cinema Month”. years ago, when I received my doctor’s degree at Hokaido University in The Japanese are interested in old traditions and their interaction Sapporo, I was the only Lithuanian there. Now almost 20 Lithuanians live with modern times. As a result, V. Povilionienë and P. Vyšniauskas’ concert here, there is a Lithuanian Consulate headed by Hidetoshi Fujii, president which was arranged in April under the initiative of EXPO 2005 General of a big construction and real estate company, and we see active co- Commissioner R. Jankauskas was a success. Lithuanian classical operation between the Kaunas and the Sapporo municipalities. Last year performers are always welcome and appreciated in Japan. During the last almost one hundred Lithuanian nationals voted in the referendum and 18 months the Japanese public listened to the S. Sondeckis Chamber presidential election. The embassy initiated the establishment of the Orchestra, the Vilnius University women’s choir “Virgo” and the boys Lithuanian community in Japan. Kaunas University of Technology Professor choir “Àþuoliukas”. A joint Japanese and Lithuanian performance, “Sakura Vytautas Rëklaitis, who worked at Tokyo University of Technology, became

With the Kaunas city flag. January 2005. World Conference on Disaster Reduction in , a city >> >> Friendly relations are developed between the cities of Kaunas and that suffered an earthquake in 1995. Representatives of Sapporo. A photo made during the meeting of the Kaunas delegation the Lithuanian delegation (from left to right): Foreign Affairs headed by Vice-Mayor Erikas Tamaðauskas and Sapporo local authorities Ministry Secretary Anatolijus Rimkevièius, Head of the National during the international Sapporo Snow Festival in 2005. Security Department of the Government of Lithuania Stasys Knezys From right: Sapporo Mayor Fumio Ueda, Ambassador Algirdas Kudzys, and Ambassador Algirdas Kudzys Lithuania’s Honorary Consul Hidekatsu Fujii and Kaunas Vice-Mayor Erikas Tamaðauskas

Lange”, directed by J. Vaitkus, was well received by the Tokyo public. the first chairman of the community. I should say that the Lithuanian Due to logistical problems it is difficult to bring Lithuanian community in Japan is still in its infancy; however, we have a number of contemporary figurative art to Japan. Nevertheless, we do our best to fill active and enthusiastic people who assist the embassy in organising this gap by arranging exhibitions of young Lithuanian artists who are cultural and business events. Most Lithuanian community members are currently residing in Japan and by supporting shows of Lithuanian students, researchers, IT and laser technologies specialists, Lithuanian photographers arranged by Japanese enthusiasts. Lithuanian artist business representatives and their family members. We have a number of Dalia Dokšaitë, using the Chinese and Japanese ink painting technique of mixed families who try to maintain relationships with Lithuania. Sumi-e, has become a regular participant in Japanese ink painting exhibitions. – What are your expectations from Lithuanian’s participation in Lithuanian culture will be on display for the Japanese public during EXPO 2005 in Japan? the Lithuanian National Day celebrations in EXPO 2005 on 6 July. Around – During the preparation for EXPO 2005 last year I visited ten >

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Meeting with the former Japanese Foreign Minister (in the centre The meeting of Lithuanian Seimas Chairman Artûras Paulauskas with >> on the right) during the visit of Lithuanian Seimas Chairman >> Japanese Prime Minister in March 2004. From right Artûras Paulauskas in March 2004 to left: Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Head of the Asia and Oceania Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania Dainius Kamaitis, Seimas Chairman Artûras Paulauskas, first on the right: First Secretary of the Lithuanian Embassy to Japan Japanese districts with lectures and portable exhibitions, met with local Asta Chaladauskienë, Ambassador Algirdas Kudzys, members of the Seimas Irena Ðiaulienë and Gediminas Kirkilas communities, government representatives, business people, cultural and media workers, and encouraged them to learn more about Lithuania, to visit our pavilion and, who knows, maybe to visit Lithuania afterwards. The awareness that Japan lacks information about Lithuania and the importance of Lithuanian and Japanese links encouraged our Government to make a decision on Lithuania’s participation in the world exhibition in Japan. The embassy did excellent preparatory work. For three years, together with EXPO 2005, General Commissioner Romas Jankauskas’ embassy employees co-ordinated and made all the required preparations necessary, while maintaining in constant contact with the Japanese exhibition organisation committee. The good strategic location of the Lithuanian pavilion is our achievement. The Lithuanian display is located opposite the universal concert hall EXPO Dome which houses the National Day events by all participating countries, between the pavilions of Russia and United Kingdom, both of which attract many Japanese visitors. Our expectations were already met during the first month - out of 150,000 visitors to the exhibition a large number came to our pavilion not only to see the exposition, but also to ask questions about Lithuania. They also had the opportunity to speak to our Japanese- speaking young men and women, who were dressed in linen clothes from Giedrius Šarkauskas’ collection, designed specially for the exhibition. With such huge influx of visitors we may state that the exhibition will really help the Japanese to get to know our country better, to improve bilateral economic relations and to increase the number of Japanese tourists in Lithuania. Currently 6,000-7,000 Japanese tourists visit Lithuania every year but we hope to welcome at least 25,000-30,000. We believe Members of the Lithuanian Seimas delegation enjoyed the Japanese

that these figures will become a reality after the exhibition, when Japan >> cuisine. At the Japanese table from left to right: former Chairman of rediscovers Lithuania. the Seimas Foreign Affairs Committee (now Defence Minister) Gediminas Kirkilas, General Director of the International Relations Department of the Japanese Parliament lower house Makoto Katsuura, Head of the Asia and Oceania Department of the Ministry of Foreign – Thank you for your informative answers and good luck with Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania Dainius Kamaitis, Lithuanian the successful presentation of Lithuania in EXPO 2005 ! Seimas Chairman Artûras Paulauskas with his wife, and Ambassador Algirdas Kudzys

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Lietuva prisistato Japonijoje

Šiemet bus paminëtos keturioliktosios metinës, kai Japonija pripaþino atkurtà Nepriklausomà Lietuvos valstybæ, taèiau Lietuvos verslininkai dar negali pasigirti dideliais laimëjimais Tekanèios Saulës šalyje. Apie verslo ir kultûros ryšiø plëtros galimybes tarp abiejø šaliø For the Japanese former Vice-Consul Chiune Sugihara is still paklausëme Lietuvos ambasadoriø Japonijoje ir Filipinø Respublikai

>> the strongest link between Japan and Lithuania. The gala event to habilituotà daktarà Algirdà KudzáKudzá. commemorate Sugihara’s 105th birthday in his native town Yaotsu was „Nors šiemet bus minimos jau 83-iosios diplomatiniø santykiø attended by Lithuanian Environment Minister Arûnas Kundrotas with his wife Diana, singer Veronika Povilionienë, and saxophonist tarp Lietuvos ir Japonijos uþmezgimo metinës, taèiau apie mus þino vis Petras Vyðniauskas. Third from the left – Yaotsu Mayor dar maþai Japonijos pilieèiø. Taèiau teigiamø poslinkiø jau yra. Praëjusiø metø kovà Lietuvoje pirmà kartà apsilankë Japonijos verslo federacijos „Keidanren” atstovai. Vizito metu buvo susitikta su didþiausiø Lietuvos ámoniø vadovais ir Lietuvos pramonininkø konfederacijos atstovais, ieškoma bendro verslo galimybiø. Tà patá mënesá Japonijoje lankësi Lietuvos pramonininkø konfederacijos vadovaujama 11 Lietuvos ámoniø atstovø delegacija. Japonø verslininkams atrasti Lietuvà labai padeda LR amba- sada Japonijoje, inicijuojanti verslininkø vizitus á Lietuvà, aktyviai dirba ir Lietuvos ekonominës plëtros agentûra, dalyvaujanti Japonijoje vykstanèiuose ES investicijø skatinimo seminaruose. Lietuvai tapus ES ir NATO nare Japonijos verslininkø susi- domëjimas mûsø šalimi gerokai išaugo. LR ambasados Japonijoje duomenimis, verslo paklausimø skaièius šiuo metu yra padidëjæs maþdaug tris-keturis kartus – taigi laukiama naujø kontraktø. Šiai dienai Japonijos ámonës Lietuvoje yra investavusios tik simboliškai – bendra investicijø suma neviršija 10 mln. litø. Lietuvos Friends and votaries of the world-famous avant-garde film producer, eksportas á Japonijà 2004 m. sudarë 34,9 mln. litø, importas iš Japonijos

>> essayist and poet Jonas Mekas, a Lithuanian artist living in New York, – 106,4 mln. litø. during the EU literature readings “West goes East” in Tokyo. Third from the right – translator of Jonas Mekas texts from English into Japanese Oficialiajam Japonijos sluoksniui Lietuva – pirmiausia nauja ES Tetsuo Kinoshita, from left to right: journalist Akiko Iimura, who lives valstybë, viena iš trijø Baltijos šaliø, ádomi ne tik savo ekonomika, bet in New York, the translator of Jonas Mekas’ poetry collection “Idyles ir kultûra. Nors ambasadoje ir nëra uþ kultûros ryšiø plëtojimà atsakingo of Semeniðkiai” from Lithuanian into Japanese professor Ikuo Murata (awarded the 4th Class Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas), darbuotojo, bet politikos klausimus kuruojanti ambasados I sekretorë well-known Japanese writer Masahiko Shimada; far right – First Asta Chaladauskienë skiria daug savo asmeninio laiko tam, kad Secretary of the Lithuanian Embassy to Japan Asta Chaladauskienë Lietuvos kultûros pulsas net ir šioje tolimoje šalyje bûtø jauèiamas. Ar þinote, kokie lietuviai Japonijoje populiariausi? Tai M.K. Èiurlionis ir Artist Dalia Dokðaitë is a regular participant of the annual ink painting J. Mekas. Akivaizdu, kad M.K. Èiurlionio tapybos simboliškumas, >> exhibitions. On 3 May her first personal exhibition opened in Tokyo. muzikalumas ir subtilumas artimas japonø dvasiai. O J. Mekas During the opening of the exhibition Japonijoje yra atskiras reiškinys. Já buvome pakvietæ atstovauti Lietuvai Tokijuje surengtame ES literatûros skaitymø renginyje „West goes East and the Twin will meet“. Èia gyvuoja nemaþas tarpusavyje bendrau- janèiø J. Meko ir jo kûrybos gerbëjø bûrys, kas mënesá organizuojantis eksperimentiniø jo filmø perþiûras. Jauniesiems Lietuvos meninin- kams šiuo metu atstovauja grafikë E. Micikevièiûtë ir skulptorius K. Lanauskas, gyvenantys ir kuriantys Fukuoka prefektûroje esanèiame maþame Japonijos miestelyje. Gerø dvišaliø santykiø tikimës ir iš dalyvavimo parodoje EXPO 2005. Jau pirmas mënuo pateisino mûsø lûkesèius, nes iš 150 tûkstanèiø paviljonà aplankiusiø sveèiø dauguma japonø ateidavo á Lietuvos paviljonà ne tik pasiþiûrëti ekspozicijos, bet ir susidomëjæ klausinëjo apie mûsø šalá. Po pasaulinës parodos, manome, atvykstanèiø á mûsø šalá japonø turistø skaièius tikrai padidës. Juk Japonija dabar iš naujo atranda Lietuvà“.

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In the Lithuanian Pavilion at the EXPO 2005 Aichi: Ambassador Algirdas Kudzys, Minister of Environment Arûnas Kundrotas EXPO 2005 and his wife Diana

Lithuania took part in six world exhibitions: in 1937 in Paris, 1939 comprehensive information about Lithuania is available on computer in New York, 1992 in Seville, 1993 in Seoul, 1998 in Lisbon, and 2000 in terminals. The terminals contain videos about our country, its nature, Hanover. EXPO 2005 is the first and the biggest world exhibition of the culture and history, the most interesting destinations and panoramic 21st century and will last from 25 March until 25 September 2005 (for dimensional photos. Lithuania’s presentation has already been mentioned 185 days). Fifteen million visitors are expected; the biggest audience that as one of the most original and visitors are really intrigued by exposition Lithuania’s presentation has ever had. Over 120 countries, 8 major of materials and details. international organisations, key Japanese business corporations and a number of non-governmental and non-profit organisations have The National Day of Lithuania at EXPO 2005 World Exhibition will assembled their pavilions on the 117-hectare territory. Lithuania has be celebrated on 6 July 2005, the State Day of Lithuania (the Coronation a 324-square-meter pavilion to present our nature, tourism opportunities Day of King Mindaugas). On the National Day the exhibition will be and various products (especially those produced from natural materials visited by the Head of State and perhaps a top-level government delegation and by state-of-the-art technologies). Considerable attention is paid to together with Lithuanian businessmen and key players of science and the presentation of science, culture, art and sports achievements. This is culture. The delegation in turn will have an audience including the Emperor Lithuania’s first world exhibition in the 21st century where it will be of Japan, the patron of the exhibition, the Crown Prince, and the Prime presented as a Member State of the European Union. Lithuania advocates Minister of the State. The performance of Lithuanian artists on the National its homecoming to the West by demonstrating historical context, universal Day will be the climax of the cultural program. harmony (cultural, confessional and political), distinctive culture and landscape, and achievements in environment protection, science and development of knowledge society. The architectural assembly of Lithuanian pavilion 2DNA is made of two huge fragments of a three-dimensional DNA model symbolising EXPO 2005 extinction of the confrontation of nature and culture – the core message encoded in the topics suggested by EXPO 2005 organisers: the wisdom of Lietuva pirmà kartà kaip ES narë dalyvauja pasaulinëje parodoje nature, the nature matrix, and the art of life. The authors of Lithuania’s EXPO 2005, vykstanèioje Japonijoje nuo 2005 m. kovo 25 iki rugsëjo exposition concept linked DNA, the matrix of life, the symbol of the modern 25 d. Mûsø šalis šioje parodoje turi 324 kv.m ploto paviljonà, kuriame universal wisdom of nature with the matrix of inanimate nature consisting pristato Lietuvos gamtà, turizmo galimybës, ávairià produkcijà of primeval elements. Images projected in the installation on the surface (akcentuojant tai, kas Lietuvoje gaminama iš natûraliø þaliavø of the three-dimensional structure are directly related or associated with naudojant naujausias technologijas). earth, water, fire and air. Through universal and easily recognised schemes 2005 m. liepos 6-àjà, Karaliaus Mindaugo karûnavimo dienà, the exposition presents Lithuania’s cultural, artistic, scientific, pasaulinëje parodoje bus rengiama Nacionalinë Lietuvos Respublikos technological, sports and environmental achievements as well as everyday diena, turëtø apsilankyti Vyriausybës vadovas ir vyriausybinë life trends, unique ethnic culture episodes and the effects of globalisation, delegacija kartu su šalies verslininkais, visuomenës mokslo ir kultûros history, and topicalities of today. In addition to the visual spotlights, veikëjais.

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