The third anniversary of the VMU Ukrainian Center was marked in Kupiškis

This important occasion once again showed what can be achieved through cooperation, friendship, and shared efforts between nations. As First Lady of Lithuania Diana Nausėdienė stated in her speech:

“We unite to defeat the ideology of death with our actions. By providing essential psychological and cultural identity support to Ukrainians fleeing the Russian war, by carrying out more than 4,300 activities of inclusion, integration, social, academic support, and receiving 55,000 visitors to the Ukrainian center in Vilnius, we are striving for progress and peace every day.”

This event was made possible thanks to the incredible efforts of the Mayor of Kupiškis, Algirdas Raslanas, and his team. With their support and hospitality, a large networking fair took place, bringing together Ukrainian communities from across Lithuania — including Jonava, Alytus, Visaginas, Šiauliai, Jurbarkas, Panevėžys, Plungė, Klaipėda, and Vilnius. Organizations such as the British Council, Red Cross, Caritas and others were also among the participants.

We are grateful to our distinguished guests for their encouraging words and support: Ukrainian Ambassador to Lithuania Olha Nikitchenko, Rector of Vytautas Magnus University Prof. Juozas Augutis, and the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska.

Special thanks to the Embassy of Japan in Lithuania and the Honourable Ambassador Shinsuke Shimizu for their cultural support and for inviting the traditional Japanese band “Amaterasu,” which has a deep connection to Ukraine.

We also thank UAB “Birštono mineraliniai vandenys” for providing water.

And of course — heartfelt thanks to our amazing volunteers for their constant help!

It was a day of new connections, meaningful conversations, knowledge sharing, and inspiration. Together, we are building the future — through mutual support and by helping Ukraine.

Photo by the Office of the President of the Republic of Lithuania.