Festive events took place in Lithuania this weekend.

At the invitation of the Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas, Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Olena Kondratiuk, the Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, represented Ukraine during the official ceremonies.

Thus, on the Lithuanian Statehood Day, the Lithuanian flag was raised on the central square of Vilnius in front of the Presidential Palace. The ceremony was attended by the current and former presidents of Lithuania, President of Estonia Alar Karis, speakers of the Lithuanian and Polish parliaments, and Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejčinović Burić.

"Lithuania is a loyal friend and partner of Ukraine. We are extremely grateful to Lithuania for the unprecedented assistance it has provided us since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Vilnius has already allocated €1.2 billion, which is 2% of Lithuania's GDP. This is a record figure. In addition, Lithuania is our most loyal advocate in joining the EU and NATO," said Olena Kondratiuk.

The final concert of the week-long Song Festival took place on the night of 6-7 July. This is a grand folklore festival that celebrated its 100th anniversary this year. The Speakers of the Polish Senate, Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, Latvian Saeima Daiga Mieriņa, the First Vice Speaker of the Estonian Riigikogu Toomas Kivimägi, and members of the Presidium of the Baltic Assembly, Enn Eesmaa and Jānis Vucāns, came to congratulate Lithuanians.

 "The Lithuanian Song Festival has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is truly the main holiday in the country – a celebration of national identity! It unites all generations of Lithuanians from all continents. This year's celebration, for example, brought together Lithuanians from 29 countries," said Olena Kondratiuk, the Vice Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. 

"Ukraine appreciates the importance of preserving national identity and is kindly envious of Lithuania, which was able to carry the nation's singing code through decades of soviet occupation. I am happy to share this holiday with Lithuanians and present our national code – the embroidered shirt!" said Olena Kondratiuk.

The Song Festival was attended by 35,000 participants and 1,500 groups.

The Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Olena Kondratiuk is on an official visit to Lithuania at the invitation of the Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas, Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen.