Lithuania - A new and exciting experience

20 Pages·2006·5.061 MB·English

LITHUANIAN STATE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM UNDER THE MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
A.Juozapavičius str. 13, 09311 Vilnius, Lithuania
Phone [phone], fax [phone]
[email protected], www.tourism.lt
LITHUANIAN TOURISM FUND
A.Juozapavičius str. 13, 09311 Vilnius, Lithuania
Phone [phone], phone/fax [phone]
[email protected], www.travel.lt
www.LithuanianTravel.com
St Ann’s and Bernardines architectural cnsemble -
LITHUANIAN TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES ABROAD a brilliant pierce of Lithuanian Gothic.
GERMANY
Baltikum Tourizmus Zentrale (BTZ)
FremdenverkehrszentraleEstland-Lettland-Litauen
Katharinenstr. 19,10711 Berlin
Phone 030 - 890 090 91, fax 030 - 890 090 92
[email protected]; www.baltikuminfo.de
FINLAND
Kapteeninkatu 7, 00140 Helsinki
Phone [phone], fax [phone]
mfo@liettua.fi;www.liettua.fi
POLAND
Al. Ujazdowskie 51, 00-536 Warszawa
Phone [phone], fax [phone]
[email protected]; www.litwatravel.com
RUSSIA
Borisoglebskij per. 13 corpus 2,121069 Moscow
Phone/fax [phone]
[email protected]; www.litinfo.ru
Photos by V. Valužis, S. Danilevičius, H. Sakalauskas, R. Statulevičiūtė,
SPAIN K. Vanagas, K. Driskius, Z. Usinavicius, Z. Nekrošius, TheLithuanian
L’Encarnacio, 70, bajos, 08024 Barcelona State Tourism Department at the Ministry of Economy
© Original text by Roma Statulevičiūtė
tel. [phone], mob. [phone], fax [phone]
Translation by Dalia Rimkūnienė
E-mail: [email protected], www.lituaniatur.com
© Printed by SAPNŲ SALA, 2005
Main facts about the country
Historical reminders 2
Lithuania is an independent democratic republic. The statė po-
wer iš executed by the Seimas (Parliament), The President of the
Republic, The Government and the Court System.
Culture highlights 4 The National Anthem: The words and music of the Lithuani-
an national anthem, know aš „Tautine giesme“, were written by
Vincas Kudirka. In 1919 Tautine giesme officially became the
national anthem of the country.
Administrative Division: There are 10 counties, which inclu-de
60 regions in totai.
Geographical location: The Republic of Lithuania iš located at
City’s entertainment 6
the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. It borders with Latvia (588
km), in the north, Belarus (660 km) in the east, Poland (103 km)
and the Kaliningrad region (Russian Federation, 273 km), in the
south. In 1989 The French National Geographical Institute ac- Water Transport. Ferries: Seven sea ferry water routes link
claimed that the geographical centre of Eu-rope iš only 24 km Klaipėda, the port city, with cities in Sweden, Denmark, Germa-
away from Vilnius, in the north-west. ny, Poland and Kaliningrad Region (Russia Federation) (www.
Nature trails 8 The Struve Meridian Are that passes through Lithuania aš well lisco.lt, www.scandlines.lt). Local ferries to connect Klaipėda
aš nine other European countries (from near the mouth of the and the Curonian Spit ūse local waterways ( Smiltynė; www.
Danube River at the Black Sea to Fuglenaes near North Cape in keltas.lt). Klaipėda iš a port home for two yacht clubs. One of
Norway) was included on the UNESCO World Heritage Li-sting them, aš well aš the Cruise Ship Terminai, iš located in the very
in 2005. centrai part of the city. (http://www.ports.lt.jacht.php?lang=LT,
www.lbs.lt)
Territory: 65.300 są.km. A third of it iš dotted with forests, there
are over 2800 lakęs larger than 0.5 ha, 18 rivers longer than 100 Road System: Lithuania has a well developed network of ro-
The Amber Coast 10 km. ads. There are two European Highways with branch-lines: Via
Baltica (Helsinki - Warsaw) and West - East (Klaipėda - Mos-
Climate: Transitional betvveen maritime and continental. Ave-
cow). Inland car taffic - right side.
rage temperature yearly in July iš +17 C, in January -4,9 C.
International road border posts: Polish border (EU) - Kalva-
Local time: Lithuania in the Central European Time Zone:
rija/Budzisko, road A5; Lazdijai/Ogrodniki, road 135; Latvian
GMT +2 hours (likę in Helsinki, Riga, Tallinn).
border (EU) - Būtingė, road Al 3; Bukaičiai/Ežerė, road A222;
Population: (according census for 01 01 2005) - 3.43 mln; urban Kalviai/Meitene, road A12; Saločiai/Grenctale, road A10; Obe-
SPA resorts 12 population - 66.6 percent, rural-33.4 percent. liai/Subate, road A122; Smėlynė/Medumi, road A6; Belarus
Ethnic composition: Lithuanian origin people constitute 83.5 border - Lavoriškės/Kotlovka, road 103; Medininkai/Kamen-nyj
percent, the Poles - 6.7 percent, the Bellarussian (White Rus- Log, road A3; Šalčininkai/Benekainys, road 104; Raigar-das/Pri-
sians) -1.2 percent, other - 2.3 percent. Lithuania iš the most ho- valka, road A4; Russian boder (Kaliningrad Region) - Nida/
mogeneous of all the Baltic States by ethnic composition. Morskoje, road 167; Panemunė/Sovetsk, road A12; Ky-bartai/
Černyševskoje, road A7.
Ethnic division: Lithuania iš divided into five regions by its eth-
nic variations: Aukštaitija, Dzūkija, Suvalkioja, Žemaitija and Information 24-hours per day iš available by tel. [phone]
Age-old traditions 14 the Lithuania Minor. 305.
Religion: Mostly Roman Catholics (around 80 percent), others Passenger transport. Cities and settlements in Lithuania are
- Orthodox, Evangelic Lutherans, Evangelic Reformers, Old Be- connected by passenger transport routes (Addresses of bus stati-
lievers, Judaic, Sunite, Muslim, Karaite and other. ons are available at www.vkti.lt/keleivinis03.html or by telepho-
ne 118).
Language: Lithuanian - the official language, one of the most
ancient of Indo-European languages. Raihvays: http://www.litrail.lt/wwwEN.nsf
Bon appetit! 16 The Capital City: Vilnius (pop. 541.3 thousand) was establi- Map or roads and railways: http://maps.takas.lt/english/
shed in 1323. Vilnius Old Town - the UNESCO World Culture National currency and settlements: The national currency Litas
Heritage listed sites, one of the most sizable (360 ha) and pictu- iš pegged to the Euro at the rate l EUR = 3,4528 Lt. Litas iš used
resąue in Eastern and Central Europe. in the whole territory of the country, also many com-mercial,
Other Major Cities: Kaunas - 364.1 thousand, Klaipėda -188.8 trade and services centres accept credit cards. ATM machines
thousand, Šiauliai -130 thousand, Panevėžys - 116.3 thousand are available in all towns.
Useful information 17 inhabitants. Visas and entry conditions. No entry visas are reąuired for ci-ti-
Resorts: Palanga and Neringa - the coastline resort cities; Drus- zens coming from all EU Member States and over 40 other statės.
kininkai and Birštonas - the inland spa resorts. More detailed information about entry conditions iš available at
http://www.urm.lt/ Consular Information - Con-sular Issues -
Air Transport: There are three international airports in the
Visas; Crossing Border).
country - Vilnius (www.vilnius-airport.lt), Kaunas (www. kau-
nasair.lt), Palanga (www.palanga-airport.lt). Lithuania has about Countryside Holidays: www.countryside.lt
30 regular links with cities in Western and Central Europe. Information Desk Number: 118 17
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Lithuania – a country to see the blend of achievements of the modern world,
historical cultural heritage, old living traditions and rites, unique beauty of
nature.
Lithuania is the oldest of the Eastern Baltic States. The first mentioning of it dates
back to the year 1009. A country born of amber- trading tribes known by the ancient
Romans, the ancestors of today‘s modern Lithuanian people, and where an amber stone
is referred to as a symbol of the country.
A country reborn for the second time is a real whirl of intense cultural life and
entertainment market. Music from classical to modern to folk. Colorful stage
performances, traditional festivals or nightlife shows full of a buzz and wild rhythms,
as well as sport competitions. Lithuania‘s basketball stars are well known all over the
world.
A country nestled in green and shady forest covering a third of its land, where streams
meander, the blue eyes of a thousand lakes sparkle, and long white beaches are cleansed
by the Baltic Sea.
An oasis of peace, with resorts famed for their mineral springs and breezy seaside
adventures. National and regional parks taking your breath away. Farmsteads dreaming
in green.
Afterrecoveringindependence,inashorttimeLithuaniahasgainedvisibleimprovement.
Cities grow more beautiful, services of every nature are expanding, and its GDP is one
of the highest in Europe year by year. In 2004 the country became a member of NATO
and the EU.
Lithuania welcomes guests from all over, and always shows it hospitality. Come and
experience it! It’s easy to find.ItisinthegeographicalheartofEurope.In 1989the
French National Geographical Institute pronounced a spot just north of Vilnius the
exact geographical centre of Europe.
Historical reminders
From Baroque masterpieces to a military rocket base
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TheimposingGothicstyleBernardins‘Church Baroque shaped Vilnius Old Town
Lithuania’s Golden Age is best remembered for Farmstead and Europos Parkas (Europe Park), a unique
its architectural legacies, featuring the Baroque, site displaying over a hundred works of contemporary
Gothic and Classicism styles. Vilnius’ Old Town, art from around the world. Or there’s the Museum
the biggest in Europe, has been a UNESCO World of Ethno-cosmology, a rare place indeed to discover
Heritage Site since 1994. Its brightly coloured estates, how the pagan world viewed the sky and the stars in
network of narrow and curved lanes and secret inner it. An observatory nearby is open to the public for
courtyards conspire to remind one of the best old cities spectacular stargazing on a clear night. Lithuania can
of Southern Europe. At the place where the Neris and also boast its very own Beekeeping Museum in the
Vilnia rivers meet stands Vilnius Cathedral. On the heart of the country’s finestnationalpark.Twotreats
hill behind is Gediminas Tower, the unofficial symbol for the price of one. In Kaunas, Lithuania’s second city,
of Lithuanian statehood. Between them the old Ducal the Ciurlionis Museum celebrates the life and work
Palace is being painstakingly rebuilt as part of the of the famous artist and composer. Hell, Lithuania
country’s 2009 millennium celebrations. Thisistheheart even has its own Devil Museum. Visit that one at
of the city. Not far away is Vilnius’ ancient university, its your own peril.
12 courtyards alive with the voices of students for over
Countryside mansions, water mills nestled in parks,
400 years. And next to it, the alluring stately home that
small wooden churches, and ancient villages. The
is the President’s Office. Keepgoingandlook again.
heritage of old wooden architecture of the country is
Luxurious mansions everywhere! More than the eye
scattered all over Lithuania.
can take in at one time. Feast your eyes on the fairy
tale below from the city’s surrounding green hills, and The art of the cross-crafter, Lithuania’s unique folk
be rewarded with a picture-postcard vista of gleaming art, can be found everywhere, including thanks to its
towers and church domes and spires. starling beauty and originality, in that UNESCO list.
Siauliai’s Hill of Crosses, popular with tourists and
Reminders of a grim past linger on. Find examples
pilgrims the world over, has been blessed from a visit
at Vilnius’ Museum of KGB Genocide Victims and
by the Pope himself.
its haunting Jewish Museum, as well as in the award-
winning park of Soviet-era sculptures at Gruto Parkas Five strange grassy mounds mark Lithuania’s ancient
and the old military missile base at Plokstine – Museum capital at Kernave, another UNESCO Heritage Site. The
of Militarism. On a happier note, visit the unforgettable island castle at Trakai, the largest of its kind in Eastern
outdoor museums like the Open Air Museum of Lithua- Europe, sits like a mirage, stepping out of the lake that
nia at Rumsiskes, the dark and mysterious Orvydas surrounds it.
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The fast flowing stream of culture

When muses feast
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flowing stream of culture

Inside Trakai Castle – as it was in olden days
It’s become a tradition that Lithuanian concerts, Fortune has certainly smiled on you if you’ve got a
whether by the Chamber Music Orchestra conducted ticket to see a theatre performance staged by Eimuntas
by Saulius Sondeckis, or the Symphonic Orchestra Nekrosius or Oskaras Korsunovas. Theirtouringplays
conducted by Gintaras Rinkevicius, or the opera soloist are a long-awaited event in many countries of the world.
Violeta Urmana, or pianists Muza Rubackyte and Petras And concerning Rimas Tuminas and Juozas Vaitkus,
Geniusas, are always an exclusive musical experience maybe you saw their work when you were visiting the
enjoyed by all. theatre in Scandinavia or Japan?
Over one hundred national and international concerts And what if you’re searching the art galleries and
take place during the traditional summer season, exhibition halls for a particular piece of art? Maybe
including among them the Vilnius Festival, Kristupo your detective work will uncover something by one
Vasaros (Kristupas Summer) and the wonderful Pazaislis of Lithuania’s talented young artists. Maybe it won’t.
Festival. During the theatrical season one can enjoy the Whatever the outcome, be sure to take in some studios
truly unforgettable stage productions of the National as well as the established exhibition spaces for the best
Opera and Ballet Theatre. choice of work available.
Can you imagine just how thrilling the atmosphere gets
during the jazz festivals in Birstonas, Kaunas, Vilnius,
Klaipeda, Nida or by lake Lukstas? What a wonderful
feeling!
Between June and October come the 10 international
folk festivals, which have the power to actively involve
the spectators as much as the performers themselves. In
addition, and during the same period, some 30 ethnic
‘culture-camps’ and over one hundred folk art exhibitions
are held. Every four years in Vilnius comes the
extraordinary Song Festival, a unique event bringing
together Lithuanians from all over the world.
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The carousel of entertainment
Venues loaded by a buzz and excitement
Theshoppingcentre“Europa“
Try a deliciously chilly Lithuanian beer served in When the evening comes it’s hard to resist the
an old watermill by a gently cascading river in seduction. Head for a live jazz concert, some rock ‘n’
hilly Uzupis, Vilnius’ very own Montmarte. Or roll, a vocal or instrumental classical concert, solo
if viewing the city from up there isn’t enough, take a guitar or violin. Dive into some wild Latin American
ride in a hot-air balloon, for Vilnius is the only capital rhythms or enjoy the best of Lithuania country and folk
in Europe where hot air balloons can launch from the music. For fans of the wildest, latest dances, nightclubs
centre of the city. heave all night long to the sounds of some of the best
DJs in the west.
Food is one of life’s passions. In major cities, as you’d
expect, all the best and most exotic national cuisines Afterdarkmaybeit’stimeforsomethingalittlemore
are represented. Take your pick from a light snack tempting? The options are rich and varied, from
on the move to a romantic candlelit dinner. Dine in colourful stage performances to original striptease
a beer bar straight out of the Middle Ages or feast al shows. And it’s a must to to visit a casino pass you
fresco somewhere under the hot summer sun. Choose by. Could Lithuania be the gold at the end of your
a traditional Lithuanian inn or take your fate in your rainbow?
hands and risk a culinary adventure in one of the few
And how about a mini-break? Maybe just a weekend
remaining pre independence bistros in an air of soviet
away, or that special occasion, or a fablous white
exoticism.
Christmas that will turn you ordinary grey winter
Vilnius’ supermarkets deserve special attention. Packed memories into something exceptional that you can
with plenty of shops, they impress with their distinctive cherish forever.
design and construction. Then there’s the multi-
functional entertainment complex. A cinema with eight
screens, bowling, billiards and an ice rink to boot.
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Green spaces
Bird song and the spirit of adventure