A special celebration of the 20th anniversary of Lithuania’s membership in the European Union in Alytus

The first part of the celebration will begin on April 27, Saturday, where at 1 p.m. there will be a ceremony to unveil the painting on the wall. The artist Pijus Šematulskis, who makes Alytus happy with his works, called on his colleague Gabrielis Žvirblis from Druskininkai to help him this time. The joint work of the dzūkis will decorate the social services center of the city of Alytus, located on Naujoji st. 64. A window in Lithuanian mythology is a human connection with the world, simultaneously symbolizing human consciousness and perception of the world, openness to external influences. The mural work, which is created on the building of an institution providing social services, will aim to broadcast a message about the values ​​cherished by the EU – community, dignified and respectful neighborhood policy, emphasizing openness to a different approach, dialogue, and cooperation. The second part of the celebration will move to the Alytus City Theater, where at 2 p.m. a discussion-meeting on the topic “Time machine: how I and Lithuania have changed since joining the European Union” will begin. Alfredas Bumblauskas, the most famous Lithuanian historian and one of the most influential public figures, will participate in the discussion. The professor will confirm or deny why Lithuania’s accession to the EU was the biggest and most influential historical turning point in the history of Independent Lithuania. If not for joining the European Union, would Lithuania’s fate be similar to that of Belarus or Ukraine? Historical insights will be shared by museum curator and “Golden Mind” finalist Vilmantas Dunderis, who will tell about the changes in Alytus that came along with Lithuania’s EU membership. Sociologist Jurgita Pečiūrienė will speak about the changing role of women in society, who worked for more than ten years at the European Institute for Gender Equality, coordinating and preparing programs on violence against women. How has Europe’s technological development opened up issues related to young people’s emotional health? What new social norms have become a reality and what positive (or maybe negative) western thinking has brought to Lithuania in the last 20 years? These and other questions will be answered by the actress and director of the Alytus City Theater Andra Kavaliauskaitė. In the discussion-meeting, you will also hear the memories of the MEP Petros Auštrevičius, who was the chief negotiator for Lithuania’s EU membership, from this negotiation process. Could Lithuania really not have become a member of the EU? Social network star Paul de Miko, who is one of the most popular opinion makers in Lithuania, receiving hundreds of thousands of views on the YouTube platform, will also participate in the discussion. Paulius Mikolaitis will share his personal development journey through the prism of Lithuania’s EU membership. The discussion will be moderated by Oxford University student from Alytus Edvinas Česnulis. After the discussion, all guests will be treated to a concert in which the well-known band “Velvet” will perform. At the concert, you will hear their well-known works, such as “Liar trees”, “Mēnuli”, “Stop, wait” and the band’s latest songs. The Alytus youth group “Sutyla”, the vocal studio “Vaja”, Vakare Jarmalavičiūtė, Uosis Galkevičius and Julija Grigaliūtė will also delight those gathered. It is time not only to commemorate, but also to celebrate. Let’s meet at the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Lithuania’s membership in the European Union this Saturday! A festive cake will await the participants of the event. The event is free. Information of the student council of Alytus city municipality