If You Are in Lithuania, You Can Still Celebrate Canada Day
On Monday, Canada turns 152 and there are plenty of events planned for this celebration in Canada. However, if by chance you find yourself in Lithuania’s capital Vilnius, you can still celebrate Canada Day at the Vilnius Town Hall Square in the heart of the Old Town.
This year Canada Day will be marked in a unique way: the Canadian flag will be projected onto the Vilnius Town Hall’s façade.
Illumination of the Vilnius Town Hall is an acknowledgement of the partnership between Lithuania and Canada. Canada refused to recognize the annexation of Lithuania by the Soviet regime and was one of the first countries to recognize the restoration of Lithuania's independence in 1991.
In addition, Canada opened its doors to thousands of Lithuanians who fled prosecution, imprisonment and death from the Soviet regime. Today, the Canadian Lithuanian community consists of more than 50,000 people across Canada and continues to grow.
On February 16, 2018, during the Celebration of the Centennial of the Restored State of Lithuania, Toronto’s CN tower was lit with the Lithuanian flag – yellow, green and red. As well, to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Declaration of Lithuania’s Freedom Fighters, on February 16, 2019, Niagara Falls were illuminated for the first time with Lithuania’s tricolor – yellow, green and red.
The illumination is organized by the municipality of Vilnius in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania to Canada. Vilnius Town Hall will be lit up from 10:30 p.m. June 30, 2019, until 7:00 a.m. July 1, 2019.
