FRACKVILLE - The 99th annual Lithuanian Days had a very special guest on Sunday with the visit of Žygimantas Pavilionis, the Lithuanian ambassador to the United States of America and to the United Mexican States.
Pavilionis attended the celebration following an invitation by Marion Wydra, Mount Carmel, a member of the Knights of Lithuania Anthracite Council No. 144, which sponsors Lithuanian Days in the Schuylkill Mall.
When he arrived at center court before he was scheduled to speak, Pavilionis had some fun when he was invited to dance with the Gintaras Children's Dance Group, a group of children learning the art of Lithuanian folk dancing under the direction of Jo Ann Kegolis Filiziani. Knights Secretary Paul Domalakes, who was the emcee, invited Pavilionis and Schuylkill County Commissioner George Halcovage to join in. Both were good sports in participating with the children and others from the audience who joined them.
The ambassador was introduced to the crowd by Schuylkill County Judge John E. Domalakes, also a member of the Knights of Lithuania.
"I am really truly honored to welcome Little Lithuania, but it is 'Big Lithuania' in essence because of your heart and everything that you did," Pavilionis said. "It is because of people like you that people like me have a good job. If not for Americans and your fight for our independence, we would never be able to be free, and we are grateful for it."
Pavilionis spoke of learning about the festivals from his predecessors at the embassy in Washington.
"I heard a lot about your festivals here from different predecessors, and what resounds in my head is struggle, community, faith and sacrifices, and also victory," Pavilionis said. "When I say sacrifices, I remember all those Lithuanians who suffered a lot because of occupations, because of different regimes over our head, and we should be proud that we've been able to resist it all. Author George Weigel wrote about the territory Lithuania was situated and saying that it was the most unfortunate territory because we had about 60 million lives lost in the region during the Second World War. When you count the victims of communism, it's about 100 million."
Pavilionis is looking to have Aug. 23 declared as "Black Ribbon Day" to mark the pact between Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin "that killed states and nations afterward." He was referring to the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, a non-aggression pact between Nazi German and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics that was signed on Aug. 23, 1939. Included in the pact was a secret protocol that divided territories of Romania, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Finland into Nazi and Soviet "spheres of influence." The pact led to Germany invading Poland on Sept. 1, 1939, which began World War II.
Pavilionis said Lithuania has made great strides since freedom from the Soviet Union more than 20 years ago, and he said the national pride can be seen in the crowd at the Schuylkill Mall.
"What I observe here is that you have the heart - a real strong Lithuanian heart," Pavilionis said. "You have this community feeling. You have the ability of sharing it with charity. You have something that we still need in Lithuania. We need to create different kinds of networks and shared programs. Maybe we can share programs between your high schools and high schools in Lithuania. It's nice that you are celebrating the 99th anniversary, but what can you share as an example to Lithuania. I need that example there. My state will be strong when my citizens are strong, and you are the example of it.
"Looking to the future, let's build those bridges," he continued. "You have it inside. It helped you to maintain your identity for 100 years here. If you're not able to come back or to visit, think about the way how you can transport your heart to Lithuania through different forms - schools, universities, businesses, anything you can consider. Lithuania is strong, but we need to make our citizens stronger."
After his speech, Halcovage presented two proclamations from the board of commissioners. The first proclamation was to recognize Lithuanian Days as a major ethnic tradition in the county and was presented to the Knights of Lithuania.
The second proclamation from the commissioners honored Pavilionis and declared Aug. 11 as "Ambassador Zygimantas Pavilionis Day" in Schuylkill County. The proclamations were followed by the presentation of a sheet cake to the ambassador, who ceremoniously cut the first slice.
The Lithuanian embassy is located in Washington, D.C.
Sunday's celebration began with The Sensations band, followed by welcome and introductions. Major Aleksandras Radzius of the Lithuanian Partisans Living History Group, who provided background of the partisans fighting the Soviet Union in Lithuania after World War II, along with explaining the different uniforms that the partisans wore, using those uniforms worn by the re-enactors.
State Sen. David Argall, R-29, presented a proclamation from the Pennsylvania Senate about Lithuanian Days. Later in the afternoon, members of the Lithuanian folk group Varpelis performed and held a sing-a-long. The Malunis Dance Group from Baltimore performed twice, Lithuanian pop star Augis performed on stage at 2:30 and 4 p.m. and the Zilvanis Dance Group from Philadelphia performed. The Sensations returned near the end of the day, followed by drawing of prizes, announcement of the results of the boilo tasting contest and closing ceremonies.