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Lithuanian Sports Capital Kaunas Hosts the 18th European Athletics Junior Championship Business News Maintenance of Good Roads Needs Effective Financing Business of Brothers Pakeriai On the Ring of the Sun since 1665 Silute Forests in Lithuania Minor Tourists Enjoy Trakai Teaching Foreigners Western Democracy Principles and Military Skills at the Military Academy of Lithuania Coloured and Vivacious World of Genovaite Skrabuliene Fragility and Stability in Artistic Reflections From a Monumental Symbol to Play of Imagination |
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Lithuanian Sports Capital Kaunas Hosted the 18th European Athletics Junior Championship By Giedrius Kalninis Director of the
championship |
Lithuanians Expected Medals After restoration of independence, Lithuania won two medals at the European Athletics Junior Championships. A silver medal in the 100m was won by Agne Visockaite in 1997, and a gold medal in the javelin was given to Tomas Intas in 1999. The Head of the Lithuanian Athletics Team, Chief Coach Virginijus Mikalauskas explained that only the strongest junior athletes from 80 candidates were selected to represent Lithuania, of which even 16 attained the highest European standards. Although Lithuania faced a great challenge - the championship welcomed the strongest European junior athletes - it still expected medals. The expectations were well-reasoned: Lithuanian sprinter Lina Grincikaite recorded third in Europe in the 100m, Arturas Kulnis - fifth in Europe in the 400m hurdles. The Lithuanian team had many promising sportsmen who were expected to show some pleasant surprises during competitions. 44 medal sets and diplomas were awarded, 1 world and 44 Lithuanian records were recorded at the 18th European Athletics Junior Championship. 24 medals were given to the Russian athletes followed by British and German sportsmen (16 medals). Lithuania together with several other countries shared the 21st place. The Lithuanian athlete Lina Grincikaite won a silver medal in the 100m. 210 medals each 55mm in diameter were cast from copper and coated with gold, silver and bronze. Director of the company Cera, manufacturer of medals, Kazimieras sesigis said that the manufacturing process had lasted a month. All sportsmen without any exception, also the most distinguished guests were awarded commemorative medals. Not only records speak well about good preparation for the championship. Only one appeal was put to referees during all four days of the championship, what is a very rare case in such championships. Director of the championship Alfonsas Buliuolis says that sometimes even 20 appeals are recorded at the European level sports events. The organizers exerted all efforts to make the championship a memorable sports event, a move towards the eternally-sought perfection. The opening ceremony of the 18th European Athletics Junior Championship started with the parade of delegations. The theatrical folk-and-rock mystery play featured rock groups Bavarija, Rojaus Tuzai, singer Edmundas Kucinskas, National dance and song ensemble Lietuva. The opening ceremony was live showed on a new, one of the most modern in the Baltic countries outdoor display arranged by the company Actual City Media. The dimensions of a million litas worth video screen are 4.32x8.64 and it will not me removed from the stadium after the championship is over. The opening ceremony was also live broadcast on the Lithuanian National TV. The festive event culminated in an impressive firework show. "I am very happy that the European Athletics Junior Championship was arranged in a country having deep athletics history and famous for great achievements of its athletes. The 18th Junior Championship was a gate to Europe, firstly for young athletes," said the representative of the European Athletics Association Libor Varhanik at the press conference. "I would wish honourable fights and high achievements to all athletes, and hope that this championship will stay in your memories for long," twice Olympic champion in discus throw Virgilijus Alekna addressed the participants of the championship.
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Major Goals of Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education in the Context of EU University-Level Education By prof. habil. Dr. Albertas Skurvydas, Rector LAPE mission:
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The
origin of Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education (LAPE) is
traced to 1934 when the Higher Courses of Physical Education (HCPE)
were set up offering a higher education degree. The HCPE were
founded with the idea to conciliate such subjects as body
exercises and military training so that the graduates would be
able to teach these two subjects in gymnasiums. The HCPE were
closed in 1938 and its role to train physical education teachers
and military training officers was taken by the Department of
Physical Education established at Vytautas Magnus University. As
an independent institution - Lithuanian National Institute of
Physical Education was founded in 1945. Recently the Institute has
been renamed into Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education. From
its very beginning LAPE remains a unique higher education
institution offering studies in the field of physical education
and sports in Lithuania. LAPE is an important centre of sports
science and a fosterer of physical education and sports values and
traditions in Lithuania. Since its foundation, the institution has
trained nearly 9000 teachers of physical education, highly skilled
coaches in various sports, physiotherapists, tourism and sport
managers, etc. Many distinguished scholars, world-known coaches
and prominent public figures graduated from the Academy. A great
number of LAPE graduates have become champions and prizewinners of
the Olympic Games, world and European championships such as
European boxing champion A.socikas, winner of Olympic gold medal
and world basketball champion M.Paulauskas, winners of Olympic
gold medals V.Chomicius, R.Kurtinaitis, V.Alekna, etc. The Magna Charta of University states that cultural, scientific and technical development is built up in universities. To make the "university" meet the needs of a modern world, its R&D must be independent in the aspect of ethics and intellect from political, ideological or economic powers. Historically, the academy has been a forge of Lithuanian sports, physical education and science and its mission is adequate to public needs and realities of the EU social and cultural dimension. In cooperation with different Lithuanian sports organizations, we strive to use science, studies and active dialogue for the needs of education and training, also promotion of Lithuanian people to enjoy physical and sports values in health strengthening and improvement of life quality and so contribute to the complex education of the society, its social and cultural development, integration into the European culture, science and economics. The primary goal of Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education is becoming a centre of European significance studies based on R&D and research experimental development giving education and R&D services in sports, recreation and tourism, healthiness, rehabilitation and physical education according to the world quality standards. Our strategic guidelines are the development of human and social potential: lecturers' creativity, initiative, openness to changes, dialogues and partnership. - Research quality targeted to world standards, quality of studies and technological development. - Quality of studies targeted to social, economic and political challenges of the society. Pragmatic attitude. University-level education. - Life-long learning of the society targeted to flexible consultations, continuous learning and perfection. Life-long learning and knowledge society. - Development of knowledge business. Development of science and technologies. Values cherished by the academy as a university-level education establishment The highest level international research and experimental development in the field of physical education, healthiness, sports and recreation are the major values that determine the quality of studies. Acquisition of new and modernization of old scientific facilities, practical application of research results are integral activities of the university-level education establishment that create good conditions for preparation of high qualification scientists and researchers, improve the quality of sports education. International cooperation, disciplined, intellectual and concentrated students and lecturers is a strong academic basis of Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education. Quality of studies - LAPE strategic goal The highest qualification specialists trained at the academy must guarantee the growth of economic potential and create new jobs. The number of specialists graduating the academy clearly reflects the improvement of life quality, stimulate renewals on the labour market. 2709 students study at Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education of which 45 study to earn Doctor's scientific degree. The new specialists are well-trained to independently develop high-tech technologies. The quality of training the highest qualification specialists is ensured through regular improvement of scientific capacities of lecturers and academic staff, promotion of R&D, development of international exchange of students and lecturers, involvement into the common European programmes, creation of a life-long learning system. The academic exchange programmes for lecturers and students create good conditions for the expansion of integration processes and recognition of international education. Three new study programmes are planned to be introduced in the nearest future: Health and Physical Activity, Recreation and Tourism, Sport Kinetic Therapy. The academy has three main research directions: physical education, sports, training of movements and physiology. The activities of the academy in the field of scientific laboratories and experimental development are based on priorities of competence (writing articles, development of programmes), science, studies and experimental unity (R&D) and attracting funds through research. With this goal in view, new laboratories are being established, i.e. genetic research in sports, sport games, endurance sport branches, modern technologies in physical education and applied physical activities. Bachelor's degree study programmes: sports physical and social activity rehabilitation and applied physical activity sports and recreation management and business Master's degree study programmes: sports physical and social education sports psychology sports physiology recreation and tourism rehabilitation, applied physical activity sports and recreation management and business Doctor's degree study programmes: physical education training of movements sports physiology Studies and market demand In realizing the study process, Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education drafts projects under the SPD measures in improvement the quality of university-level education and development of infrastructure. At the moment, LAPE athetics, throwing and tennis fields undergo reconstruction. Projects are being prepared for modernization of Birstonas stadium, sport halls, Arlaviskes and Palanga sports centres, arrangement of infrastructure of the scientific park. Business is ready to cooperate only with the highest level research VsÁ Recreation, tourism and sports scientific park established together with Kaunas University of Medicine, Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education, Kaunas City Municipality and other partners carries out ordered scientific research, collaborates with universities and international partners. The primary goal of the park is to earn money from reali0sation of ordered research, involve businessmen into experimental activities and create new sports, science, tourism and recreation facilities. This synergy is used to make the main intellectual product in the park - studies, special clothes, special equipment, support, nutrition, pharmaceuticals, travelling and tourism information, advertising, publishing. www.lkka.lt |
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Business News |
Economy minister: Lithuania has enough means
to control threats arising from sale of Mazeikiu Nafta Kestutis Dauksys, the Lithuanian minister of economy, has said that the request of the Russian Justice Ministry - to ban the sale of YUKOS-owned shares in Mazeikiu Nafta, a local oil refinery - has not appalled him. "I reckon that Lithuania has enough means to respond to this, if it is indeed an effort to reduce the number of potential buyers", Dauksys told ziniu Radijas. Some analysts say that with this request the authorities of Russia seek to exclude some potential buyers of Mazeikiu Nafta in order to clear the way to a buyer loyal to the Kremlin. The troubled Russian group YUKOS wants to sell its 53.7-percent stake in the Lithuanian oil refinery. This portfolio is valued at more than 3 billion litas (870 million euros). Fears are in Lithuania that this stock will be given to a Russian company subordinate to the Kremlin, which would evoke threats to national security. "YUKOS is now selling its shares but the government can influence that process because it has the right of option, on the one hand, and YUKOS must negotiate with a buyer that meets the requirements of the Lithuanian government, on the other hand", the minister said. Dauksys also stated that potential threats could be avoided by choosing a buyer by several priorities. "These are security priorities: if the supply [of crude oil] is possible and the operations of a company meet international norms of transparency", said the Lithuanian official. Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas earlier said that his cabinet could sell 10-20 percent of its present 40.66 percent interest in Mazeikiu Nafta to a new investor. These funds, he said, would generate revenues to the state budget. But the new revenues, if put into circulation, could directly lift the inflation rate of the country. Dauksys however said confidently that the government "would manage the effects of such kind". Lithuania received the controversial request of Russia not to register the transactions for YUKOS-owned shares in Mazeikiu Nafta in the previous week. The Justice Ministry is now analysing this request but it may be a few weeks before it decides how to respond. Six overseas companies have signalled interest to buy the stock of Mazeikiu Nafta. The Lithuanian oil refinery last year gained record net profits of 722 million litas (209 million euros). European Commission wants Lithuania to report about state control of privatised businesses The European Commission says that Lithuania and Latvia must submit more detailed reports about the special powers of the government in privatised companies. These powers, according to the Commission, constrain the free movement of capital. Prior to joining the EU, Lithuania gave up its so-called golden shares in a number of privatised companies: Lietuvos Telekomas, Geonafta, and Sportine Aviacija. The government has retained such restrictions in VST, an electricity distributor sold to private owners in 2003. In putting up this company for sale, the government ruled that only Lithuanian-owned capital could take over VST, a provision conflicting with the European Agreement of Association. A firm set up by the owners of the Lithuanian retailer Vilniaus Prekyba acquired 77 percent of the power company in 2003. The transaction was valued at almost 540 million litas (156 million euros). The buyer may not sell this interest for five years from the time of the transaction. Freight haulage decreased only in port of Klaipeda and Butinge Terminal The Lithuanian transport sector reported increased volume of freight haulage for the first six months of 2005, excluding the port of Klaipeda and Butinge Oil Terminal. A particularly big growth of shipping was recorded for air and inland water transport companies. Owing to weaker handling of oil and oil products, Klaipeda and Butinge this year shipped 12.6 percent less of freight - 13.236 million tonnes - compared with the year-ago six months. Freight carriage by railroad augmented 2.9 percent year-on-year to 22.52 million tonnes, Statistics Lithuania reports. Inland water transport carried 260,500 tonnes of cargo in the first half of 2005, which was 7.6 percent more versus January-June 2004. Airports this year handled 4,900 tonnes of freight, a rise of 19.2 percent from 2004. In June, the freight shipments by railroad slumped 5.1 percent. The monthly shipments through Klaipeda and Butinge went down 11.2 percent versus June of the preceding year. The nation's airport in June shipped 39.7 percent more of freight than they did the year ago. Inland water transport bettered the monthly shipments by 2.4 percent. Officials see Kaunas Airport as major catalyser of Vilnius-Kaunas dual city The officials of Vilnius and Kaunas, two major cities of Lithuania, have arrived at consensus to suggest that Kaunas be made the central hub for passenger and freight aircraft in the country. Meanwhile, Vilnius would continue to operate its international airport with specialisation as a city airport, says a report of both local administrations. Vilnius and Kaunas are working on a project of a dual city that would connect both cities. The planners said that the Kaunas Airport is highly important for the regional economic and tourist development of the dual city. The officials decided to ask the Transport Ministry to open a debate at national level concerning the strategic decision for the dual city - that is to run a jointly-controlled Lithuanian airport with terminals in Vilnius and Kaunas. Kestutis Cucenas, who is in charge of the company Kauno Aerouostas, said that Kaunas Airport needs to expand its terminal of passengers and freight, because of enhanced operations. The managers of the airport also want to improve communication with other cities and railways, and to develop logistic centres. These upgrading projects would cost about 0.5 billion litas (145 million euros). The Transport Ministry is slow to bless these projects, though. Valdemaras Salauskas, secretary of the ministry, said that the decision for an airport with the national status would come no earlier than in a year or 1.5 years. "We will carry out a feasibility study on how our airports must develop: whether we will expand Vilnius Airport to a certain limit or, due to a good geographical position, will make Kaunas Airport a national centre of flights, or will search for a third option to build an airport someplace in the middle [of the country]. We will look for the most cost-effective option", Salauskas told. It is expected that operations in Kaunas Airport should swell with the advent of low-fare airlines. The head of Kauno Aerouostas stated that, according to estimates, cheap flight operators would fly about 100,000 passengers in one direction a year. A forecast suggests that tourists who will take the flights of low-fare airlines will spend annually 36.2 million litas (10.5 million euros) in the prospective dual city of Vilnius and Kaunas. Tourist flows are also expected to catalyse the development of small and medium business. Ryanair, a low-fare Irish air company, is to launch flights from Kaunas to London at the end of September. Wizz Air, one more operator of cheap flights, will handle flights between this Lithuanian city and Warsaw from December 1. Kaunas Airport had 17,480 passengers in January-June of 2005, or 55.3 percent more than it had in the year ago. The number of flights rose 1.9 percent to 2,279 flights from the first half of 2004. Assets of fund management companies swell 40 percent Collective investment funds in Lithuania had combined assets worth slightly more than 222 million litas (64 million euros) at the end of the first quarter. The assets increased 39.9 percent from the year-ago first quarter. Overall, there were 3,130 investors enrolled with these funds on March 31. Compared with Q1 of 2004, the number of the investors soared 72.74 percent, the Securities Commission announced. At the close of March, Lithuania had ten fund management companies, including seven stock funds. Major part of collective investment funds, or 54 percent, was invested in stock and investment units. Thirty-one percent went to debt securities, with the rest representing deposits and financial market tools. Lithuanian fund management companies channeled most of their funds to the domestic market and other eastern European countries - Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland. TNS Gallup: 8 pct of Lithuanians intend buy or sell dwelling soon VA survey shows that 9 percent of Lithuanians bought or sold their dwelling in the past two years. Eight percent more plan to do this in the near future. Such figures were announced after a survey conducted by TNS Gallup. Renata Bernataviciute, a project manager at TNS Gallup, said that 44 percent of the people planning to sell or acquire living premises plan intend to seek the help of real estate agencies. This figure is 15 percent higher than it was in the past two years, when one-third of people used the services of such agencies. Lithuanians however do not have enough information about real estate agencies - 84 percent of the respondents could not think of the name of even one firm. The most popular source of those looking for property is newspapers; they were consulted by 60 percent of the survey participants who purchased or sold dwellings in the past few years. Based on data compiled by the Register Centre, the number of real estate deals signed in Lithuania in the first six months of 2005 was 58,474. Register Centre data indicates that the number of the flats sold in the country this year decreased 2.8 percent to 15,396. More than 90 percent of manufacturing and service enterprises are computerised At the start of 2005, 91 percent of the Lithuanian manufacturing and service providers that have more than 10 employees were computerised. Of them, 84.6 percent have internet access. Statistics Lithuania announced these provisional figures on Friday. In the year to January 2005, local companies increased the level of computerisation by 1.3 percentage points. The use of internet rose 4.8 percentage points. Four sectors of the country are computerised 100 percent. These include providers of electricity, gas and water, mail and telecommunications, financial brokerage, computer and related services. The least computerised sector is hotels and restaurants with 70.9 percent. The computerisation level of small enterprises is lower - 88.7 percent. Medium-sized enterprises have computerised 98.7 percent of their operations. DSL is the most popular service of internet access. It is used by 45.4 percent of domestic businesses. They indicate that they need internet mostly to perform bank and financial transactions. Based on the report, 40.8 percent of local manufacturing and service companies have built up their websites. E-trade sales have been growing slowly since 2002. At the beginning of this year, 14.5 percent of companies buy goods through internet. About 70 percent of 70,000 enterprises in Lithuania have up to nine employees and are therefore excluded from this statistics. A survey of TNS-Gallup, conducted this month, polled IT specialists of 660 companies. It revealed that 45.5 percent of Lithuanian firms do not have internet access, and 63 percent of all companies have computerised operations. |
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Maintenance of Good Roads Needs
Effective Financing
6.13 km of roads fall per one thousand
population in Lithuania, and 326.9 km of roads of national
significance are recorded per one thousand square kilometres of
the Lithuanian territory. Even compared to economically strong
countries, Lithuania may boast having a well-developed road
network. The major task today is to secure good maintenance and
modernization of roads so as to make them an integral and
qualitative part of the European road system. The shortest routes
from West to East and from North to South cross Lithuania, so good
road condition is important not only to Lithuania but the whole
Europe. |
- Dear
Director, nearly each time when driving along the Vilnius-Kaunas-
Klaipeda highway I face road maintenance works being conducted. I,
like all drivers, would like to ask when roadmen will finish their
unending works on the main Lithuania’s artery of European
significance. - The road Vilnius-Kaunas-Klaipeda is a part of one of six European significance roads crossing the territory of Lithuania. It is as extremely important to Lithuania as to the whole Europe. Road E85 links four countries and goes via Klaipeda, Kaunas, Vilnius, Lida, Chernovcy, Bucharest and Alexandopol. Road E85 and Road E28 that connects five countries and goes via Berlin, Gdansk, Kaliningrad, Marijampole, Prienai, Vilnius and Minsk form Transport Corridor IX that is one of two transport corridors crossing Lithuania. Branch IXB of this corridor consists of 396.3 km of the main road Vilnius-Kaunas-Klaipeda, 4 km of the main road Klaipeda-Liepaja and 27.34 km of the main road Vilnius-Minsk. The total length of Branch IXB that is the main road in East-West direction makes nearly 328 km in Lithuania’s territory. The development of Transport Corridor IXB has been envisaged to be done in three stages, of which the first stage was successfully competed. The works under the first stage were performed under the Financing Memorandum signed by the European Commission and Republic of Lithuania in 2001. The same year, we applied for the ISPA grant (Instrument for Structural Policies for Pre-Accession) to finance the project Reconstruction of Transport Corridor IXB in 2003-2004. The project was approved and the planned works are in the stage of completion today. The estimated value of third stage works is 186.8 million litas, of which 85 percent are financed from the Cohesion Fund. The works will be done on 10-305 kilometre of the main road Vilnius-Kaunas-Klaipeda and first 4 kilometres of the road Klaipeda-Liepaja. - Via Baltica is another very important road that needs regular attention. When the reconstruction of the road is planned to be finished? - Via Baltica is a part of Transport Corridor I crossing the territory of Lithuania in North-South direction. The European main road E67 Via Baltica connects Helsinki, Tallinn, Riga, Panevezys, Kaunas, Warsaw, Wroclaw and Prague. Reconstruction of this road was also divided into three stages. The first stage lasted in 1997-2000 and was concentrated to widening the road sections Riaubonys-Latvian border, Kedainiai-Panevezys and Kalvarija-Polish border, constructing Kaunas western and Panevezys bypasses, building Kedainiai-Sitkunai and Mauruciai-Marijampole road sections. During the second stage that started in 2001 and is planned to be completed this year, building works were done in Kaunas western, Marijampole and Kalvarija bypasses, Garliava and Marijampole level crossings, while Nausede multi-level intersection underwent reconstruction. The third stage works are envisaged to be conducted in 2004-2006. The major works will be done in Panevezys-Pasvalys-Riga and Kaunas-Marijampole-Suvalkai sections. The estimated value of the third stage works is 84.1 million litas, of which 85 percent will be financed from the Cohesion Fund. - What concrete works are left to be done on these roads? - The major works will be reinforcement, widening and laying of a new road covering, reconstruction of bridges, building pedestrian and bicycle paths, multi-level pedestrian crossings and intersections, underground passages for wild animals, safety barriers, constructing several tens kilometres of net fence, arranging and reconstructing protective noise barriers, planting vegetation. - You have said that the EU financial support was used in reconstruction of Transport Corridors IX and I. It has been granted to five road transport infrastructure projects prepared by the Lithuanian Road Administrations and to be completed next year. How the financing of road maintenance and development is planned to change in a more distant future? - After the EU accession, Lithuania submitted 5 applications for the development of international roads and all five received the maximum 85 percent financing from the Cohesion Fund. Another 3 projects were granted partial support from the European Regional Development Fund. PHARE 2002 aid was used for building Marijampole and Kalvarija bypass. ISPA support was targeted not only to the project Reconstruction of Transport Corridor IXB in 2003-2004 but also to the first stage works on branch IA of Transport Corridor I connecting Nordic countries with Central and Eastern Europe (international main road E77 connecting Pskov, Riga, siauliai, Kaliningrad, Warsaw, Krakow and Budapest). The project was named Development of Transport Corridor IA. In the coming ten years, the EU aid extended to the development of roads of national significance in Lithuania should make around 5.3 billion litas or 480 million litas per year. I must also say that the EU support is a lifebuoy to us since budgetary financing would suffice only half of the most necessary road maintenance and repair works. To my opinion it is absolutely important to secure that the GDP growth would be followed by the growing financing of the Road Maintenance and Development Programme. Taking into account the 3 percent annual inflation, it should increase from 835 million litas allocated this year up to 1 billion 828 million in 2015. On the other hand we should not forget that the price of road maintenance works goes up each year, also it is absolutely impossible to predict petrol prices, tax tariffs or wages and salaries for the next ten years. This is the reason why I would say such financial optimism to be more theoretical than practical, especially in the face of the fact that there are plans to cut down budgetary financing of the Lithuanian Road Administration by 63 million litas next year. - Could you give an example how expensive is building 1 km of a road of national significance in order the readers could get better understanding why millions of litas are needed. - Building 1 km of a road of category AI (width 2x11.25 metres) costs from 4 to 5 million litas, 1 km of a road of AII category (width 9 metres) – from 2 to 3 million litas. From 1.5 to 2.5 million litas is needed for reconstruction of 1 km of a road of category AII. - What has been the growth of transport flows in separate road sections after the EU accession? What is the role of Lithuanian roads in the EU context? - At the beginning this year, the length of roads of national significance made 21345 km in Lithuania, of which main roads - 1749 km, national roads – 4873 km, regional roads – 14723 km. 1646 km belong to the TENT-T network or European roads. After the EU accession, a significant growth of vehicles, especially heavy vehicles crossing the Lithuanian border was observed. The number of heavy vehicles grew even 1.5 times after the accession date (1 May 2004) when compared with the same period of 2003. This also means that the environment pollution grew by 5 times and we are very much concerned about this fact. Measurements of roughness on main roads were done in autumn 2004. The results showed that despite of large investment, the problem still exists. Heavy vehicles make deep ruts what is especially dangerous to safe traffic. Roads repair must be made if ruts are deeper than 20 mm. Wishing to make road covering serve the whole period established by the initial project, we must use more expensive technologies, new materials, put thicker layer and reinforce road substructures, moreover that the prognosis says that in 2015, as compared to 2004, traffic intensity on roads of national significance will grow at least by 30 per cent, heavy transport on international corridors – even by 50-60 percent. |
Business of Brothers Pakeriai By journalist Rimantas Slajus Using Lithuanian Technologies and Materials for Insulation and decoration of Buildings |
What
is the colour that dominated in houses built in Lithuania several
years ago? The only answer is grey. Grey concrete or silicate
brick buildings as if made our faces, thoughts and the life in
general grey. Even a well-famous architect said a multi-coloured
building to be an expression of tastelessness and artistic
misunderstanding. Today, the situation is absolutely different. Modern building specialists have the contrary professional and creative mentality and offer us the life enriched with the play of enthusiastic colours. In this coloured context, it is simply impossible not to speak about brothers Pakeriai: older Rimas who is the Director of the company Betochem and younger Saulius who is in charge of insulation and decoration of facades. By the way, their business will seem to be naturally chosen if you are familiar with moral and aesthetic values cherished by the Pakeriai family that, in short, could be described as creation of nice things and relations. The decision of Rimas and Saulius to get into the business of insulation and decoration of houses has been stimulated by the example of their father Rimantas Pakeris, Director General of AB Alytaus gelzbetonis who assures that his sons are absolutely independent in developing their business. The business is successful not only due to the upsurge of construction industry in Lithuania but also due to the use of local and well-tested materials. Rimas and Saulius' company imports only reinforcement netting and pigments. What are the advantages of such business? Rimas says the lower price to be the first advantage. On the other hand, you will never know how qualitative are materials imported. Brothers Pakeriai use the so called "Lithuanian technology" for insulation of houses. The Chairman of the Lithuanian Civil Engineers Union Algirdas Vapsys says that the inspection of objects in which Lithuanian mineral materials, heat insulation boards (styrofoam), galvanized metal pins, mechanized technologies for decorative coatings, dry fixing of insulation boards have been used has showed that insulation of such buildings is very durable. Moreover, the famous Lithuanian specialist in construction says that the experience of foreign and Lithuanian companies shows that such protective coatings get even stronger year after year, they become more water-resistant, walls do not become moss-grown and do not attract dust, are very durable and may serve more than 50 years. There are examples that under the weather conditions existing in Vilnius the walls have preserved the same quality for 30 years. Brothers Pakeriai use granite breakstone, mica, mineral pigments and other finishing materials for enriching the collection of decorative materials and so imitate, let's say, natural stone or marble. Very often facades are enlivened by tiles of various shapes and colours. UAB Betochem imports pigments from Germany. Pigments are multi-coloured powder made of mineral mixtures: ferrous oxide or ferrous hydroxide give red, yellow, black and brown colours, chromic oxide - green, cobalt aluminium - blue, titanium oxide - white, soot - black. German pigments are firstly noted for their resistance to alkaline environment, ultraviolet rays, and do not wash off (change colour) like organic pigments. Due to their characteristics, pigments may be used for colouring grout, plaster, concrete, all coloured concrete articles. Pigments may be also mixed with each other to get a desired colour. The same pigments are also used for giving colour to junctions on coloured brick walls. Have you ever seen a nicely bricked wall with junctions covered in whitish, milk resembling spots? The company Betochem uses special abstergents for removal of white thin coatings from junctions of newly built walls. The surface is also covered with special coloured coating to protect the walls from the negative environmental impact (water and moisture, frost). The same pigments are also used by the founder of UAB Betochem, the company AB Alytaus gelzbetonis in manufacture of paving tiles or other concrete articles. The combination of these two companies may offer a private client or a company the whole complex of services - what a client has to do is simply make a telephone call and order the desired services from selection and laying of paving tiles to insulation and decoration of buildings. A client will not have to care about construction waste, additional materials or equipment, additional specialists or workers. And one more aspect - brothers Pakeriai and the workers of their company will always do their work at a price lower than that prevailing on the market. |
| On
the Ring of the Sun since 1665
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Some facts from the company history AB Gubernija is the oldest brewery in Lithuania. The archival documents say that a brewery was established in the Karaliskasis stalas estate in Siauliai in 1665 (called "bravoras" at that time). Already in 1682 brewery production was exported to Minsk (Belarus). In the 18th century Gubernija was well known in Warsaw, Pskov and St. Petersburg. The date 1799 cut out into a corner stone of the foundations mark the first renovation of the company. After seven years, in 1786, Gubernija was registered in the documents of inventory of Grand Duchy of Lithuania as a factory that run a barrel production shop, smithery, bottling and fermentation facilities. Neither wars nor post-war periods stopped activities of the brewery. Gubernija was badly destroyed during the Second World War, however after the war it was successfully rebuilt. The most interesting fact is that different reconstructions of the Gubernija brewery were done every hundred years. The last reconstruction started in 1999 and is planned to be finished this year. We are very happy that Gubernija will be fully modernized to meet the 340th anniversary of the company. We, in the company, name the historic developments of the brewery by the metaphoric name Sun Circle. Present-day business card of Gubernija Today Gubernija is a modern brewery that employs 340 people. The specialists of the company go on regular probation to Munich Technical University (Weihenstephan, Bavaria, Germany). In recent years, the production assortment has been widely enriched. We manufacture beer of ten brands: Ledukas, Kvietinis, Zigulinis, Zalgirio, Ledo, Gubernijos Ekstra, Imperial, Kunigaiksciu, Geras, Grand mieziu. The diversity of tastes and high production quality can meet the demand of even the most fastidious consumers. I wish to note that the company has remained faithful to the old brewery traditions and, different from other breweries, do not use the newest and most profitable brewery technologies. Gubernija produces classical beer that stands out by its harmonious taste and hop aroma. Our white beer Kvietinis has been nominated by independent experts in Chicago as the best wheaten beer in the world. Our company also manufactures the unique bread kvass Duonos gira. It is made of dried bread and is free from sweeteners and stabilizers, has the original taste of bread kvass and always satisfies one's thirst. Besides, we produce Gubernijos gira that is also sweeteners-free. The successful operation of the company is proved by the growing production volumes. 1274 thousand decalitres of beer was produced and sold during the first half of 2004 and 1445 thousand decalitres by 1 July 2005. The demand for bread kvass also goes up: if during the first half 2004 we sold 149 thousand decalitres, so this year production of non-alcoholic beverages grew to 160 thousand decalitres. The latest Gubernija production is beer-drinks Hi-fi Lemon lime, Hi-fi Sweet pear, Hi-fi water melon, Beer shake apple and Beer shake orange that also enjoy great popularity. The company production is on demand not only in Lithuania but also Israel, USA, Germany, Latvia and Kaliningrad Region. This year, we have exported two sea containers to Uganda (Africa). Cherishing values of culture For many years, AB Gubernija actively participates in public and cultural life of Siauliai City acting as a sponsor and organizer of different events and festivals. It was our company that proposed an idea to arrange a hot air balloon championship that later became a traditional event of the year. The international folk music contest-festival Sun Circle arranged on 2-9 July was a good example how our company cherishes not only old brewery and beer drinking culture but also old Lithuanian traditions. Our wish was to arrange a national rebirth festival in Siauliai, show the world what traditions Lithuania, as a fresh EU Member State, has. On the other hand, we had a great opportunity to get familiar with folk arts of other countries. Guests from the European Union and more distant countries showed Siauliai people their national and cultural traditions. We do not seek profits or instantaneous benefits in supporting culture and financing cultural events. We see these traditions to be a great investment into the future of cultural life not only in Siauliai City but also the whole Lithuania. |
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Silute
Forests in Lithuania Minor |
The Silute State Forest Enterprise administers 39449 ha
of state forests owned in trust, of which 7082 ha are reserved for
restoration of ownership rights. The territory is divided into 13 forestries: Kintai, Meskine, Norkaiciai, Pagegiai, Pezaiciai, Rambynas, Stempliai, siaudenai, Silute, sveksna, Vainutas, Zemaiciu Naumiestis and zemaitkiemis and they encompass 35 sectors of a forest guard. There are the Saugai Logging, Trade and Technical Division, also Norkaiciai Nursery established in the territory of the company. Spruce (37 percent) and pine (36.2 percent) prevail in Silute forests, followed by oak, ash, birch and black alder. The Silute State Forest Enterprise has planted over 18 thousand ha of forest in 55 years of its activities. Normally only standard saplings are used and they are usually planted in soil prepared in autumn. Reforestation is done in all felling sites and on time. In 2004, 211.8 ha were reforested, of which 196.5 with saplings, and 15.3 ha were left for natural regeneration. 520.4 ha of young forest were under regular stewardship last year. In 2003, the Enterprise bought the universal tractor LKT-81T of Slovak production to be used for reforestation works. The planter EGEDAL bought in 2004 for 68 thousand litas will be used for seedling replanting into the nursery. The Silute State Forest Enterprise run by the Director Stepas BAIRASAUSKAS since 1992 employs 200 people. The journalist Juozas GIRDVAINIS has visited Silute forests and talked to the Director of the Forest Enterprise. - Reforestation works usuallys tart from preparation of seeds. How large are seed plantations? - The Silute Forest Enterprise runs several forest genetic reserves, seed plantations and seed nurseries. The first spruce seed plantation (5 ha) was planted in 1968. Last year, 76.9 kg of seeds were prepared from seed nurseries and genetic reserves and we expect to have 750 kg of good quality seeds this year. - What reorganizations are being made to increase the number of saplings to be later used for reforestation purposes? - Saplings later used for reforestation are cultivated in the Norkaiciai Nursery established in 1954, and also in nurseries of forestries. In recent years we prepare up to 2.6 million saplings with prevailing common pine and common spruce. We also grow saplings of other tree species, like common and red oak, birch, dwarf mountain pine and have just introduced beech and other deciduous tree species. - Do you have plans to enlarge the area of the Norkaiciai Nursery? - In striving to fully satisfy the needs of private forest owners, we plant more and more saplings of deciduous and coniferous trees, deciduous shrubs. The Enterprise has plans to enlarge the area of the Norkaiciai Nursery and so refuse growing saplings in forestries' seed-plots. A project of the Norkaicai Nursery modernization works for 2004-2007 has been prepared envisaging to enlarge the nursery area up to 20 ha. - In reforestation of unexploited land, priority is given to solid forest and keeping to the rule of balance. How does the Silute Forest Enterprise achieve this? - The Lithuanian Forest Coverage Enhancement Programme provides for performing reforestation of 125 ha of unexploited land in the territory administered by Silute State Forest Enterprise each year throughout the preparatory stage (2004-2006). The Silute Enterprise has been issued with the certificate of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) SW-FM/COC-1354. The certificate proves that management of public forests owned in trust is conducted according to international sustainable and balanced forestry principles. The Danish company NEPCon has been contracted to perform the certification of state forests (state importance forests and forests reserved for restoration of ownership rights) administered by the Silute State Forest Enterprise in 2004. The prepared report sets conditions to be implemented by the Enterprise in wishing to meet all FSC principles and criteria. The forest inventory carried out in the territory administered by the Silute Enterprise in 2004 will be of great help in achieving the established goals. In continuing the works in hand, the Lithuanian Forest Management and Inventory Institute will prepare forest management schemes and a project for inner management of state importance forests in 2005. We wish the society to be fully informed about our works, so these projects are widely discussed in public. - How is inventory of habitat sites conducted? - The inventory of woodland key habitat sites and potential woodland key habitat sites was finished last year. 74 woodland key habitat sites and 71 potential habitat site were recorded in the territory administered by the Silute Enterprise. - The road Saugai-sveksna that we are now driving links Lithuania Minor and Lithuania for 500 years. What forest management works are taken in the sveksna Forestry? - Last year, the Directorate General of State Forests and the Lithuanian Foresters Union conducted inspection of recreation objects in state forests and state forest enterprises. The major goal of these inspections was to improve the expansion, management and supervision of recreational infrastructure, stimulate the diversity and quality improvement of these objects, as well as strengthening foresters' cooperation with the society in meeting its recreational, educational and cognitive needs. The Silute Forest Enterprise received high evaluation for arrangement, management and supervision of Parubezis rest site in the sveksna Forestry and won the 3rd place in the group of viewpoints and rest sites of the national inspection of recreation objects in forest enterprises. The rest site that is situated at the road Saugai-sveksna has been arranged and is supervised by the sveksna Forestry. This place also has not been chosen by accident: the border separating Lithuania Minor and Lithuania crossed it from 1422 until 1923. - How are camping and rest sites, cognitive paths arranged? - Foresters of the Silute Enterprise have arranged or renovated 7 rest sites, 2 camping places, a recreation site and a biological-dendrological cognitive path. In total over 20 recreational objects have been arranged in forests administered by the Enterprise. Nearly 130 thousand litas was used for arrangement and maintenance of environmental and recreational objects during the last two years. Among most immediate plans of the Enterprise is arranging a cognitive-recreational path in the Kintai Forestry, in the Ventes Ragas Landscape Reserve, along the coast of the Curonian Lagoon. Rest sites, parkings, information stands, picnic areas, information signposts are planned to be built in the beginning and end of the path. There are plans to arrange a swimming place with bathing-boxes, a fireplace and a children playground. We think that the new path will stimulate the development of cognitive tourism and preserving the heritage of nature monuments. The project should cost about 200 thousand litas. - There are people who look after forests, and there are people who devastate them. The cases of illegal felling or wood plundering are quite numerous. How do you fight forest vandals? - The Silute Forest Enterprise closely works with the Silute District Police in trying to ascertain law violations relating to wilful forest felling, wood transportation, illegal use of fauna, brewery of home made vodka and other illegal activities. The Enterprise has established operational forest protection groups, nominated heads of these groups and approved their official instructions. Heads of operational groups in close collaboration with the local police forces or representatives of environmental agencies organize joint visits to forests administered by the Enterprise. During the month-long campaign Forest 2005 foresters together with the regional environment protection inspectors and police officers arranged 11 visits to forests. 7 persons were fined for violations to the total amount of over one thousand litas. The year 2004 abounded in discussions with the local community and schoolchildren, participations in TV and radio programmes. The staff of our Enterprise closely works with the young forest lovers, arrange lectures on forests with the participation of foresters in schools. Schoolchildren are introduced to the consequences of forest fires and forest works. On the joint efforts of foresters and teachers, young forest lovers and other schoolchildren are invited to go on excursions, participate in other events or campaigns, like Pagalba badaujantiems zvereliams ir pauksteliams, Gyvunijos globa, zemes diena, JMB sodinimo talka, Pavarsario svente, etc. A Forest Planting campaign was organized to mark the 85th anniversary of the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union. A great number of articles dealing with forestry issues are published in the national and regional press. Last year, a book Silute State Forest Enterprise, an information leaflet for forest visitors and a notebook were published, information stands with photos and information text were arranged, ball-point-pens and caps with our logo were made. - Fires are one of the greatest forest disasters. What measures are taken to avoid them? - 10 forest fires were recorded last year making the damage to 1.03 ha of forests. Alertness of foresters and support of the community help to timely ascertain fires and put them down. The Enterprise has arranged 3 fire observation towers in the most flammable forestries of Silute, sveksna and Pagegiai. There are plans to buy a new fire extinction car this year. - How are hearts of hearths of pests and forest diseases liquidated? In 2004, repellents were used in the area of 191 ha. Some other 4.5 ha were fenced to protect forests from wild animals, sanitary measures were used in 8.6 ha of young oaks, 126.5 ha were sprayed with chemicals against large pine weevil, 319.42 cubic meters of insectivorous trees were planted in 331.8 ha, 196 pheromone catchers were put in 335.2 ha. 460 ha of young trees were cultivated with the help of felling and precommercial thinning, 170 ha was under commercial thinning. The total of 78.1 thousand cubic metres was felled and sold by the owners or contracting companies in 2004. 56.7 thousand cubic meters were subject for final felling, 21.4 thousand cubic meters - thinnings and sanitation cuttings. 71.2 thousand cubic metres of wood and 6.6 thousand cubic metres of stands were sold last year. The average sale-price of roundwood in our Enterprise is 101 litas per one cubic metre, while the average of the Lithuanian market makes 90 litas. The Enterprise usually uses the services of contractors for compulsory reforestation, forest protection and management, also logging works. So far, the contractors have felled about 70 percent of the total felling volume, and realized haulage services for 40 percent of wood. - How in short would you describe works still left to be done this year? - Increasing forest coverage in the whole Silute District, enlarging areas of nurseries of state forests, increasing reforestation volumes, also enlarging seedling and sapling areas, adaptation of state forests for recreational needs are among the major works of our Enterprise. No less attention will be directed to cultivation of young stands, taking care of sanitary protection and fire prevention, enlarging the range of services given to private forest owners, also introduction of effective measures in protecting forests from illegal fellings. - Thank you very much for interesting interview. |
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Tourists
Enjoy Trakai
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The small town of Trakai is renowned for two
castles. Both of them were built in the second half of XIV century and
clearly illustrate the history of Lithuania. The Peninsula Castle is
situated amid Lakes Galve and Luka, while the Island Castle that used to
be the residence of Lithuanian Grand Dukes is on an island in Lake Galve.
The history has taken its own turn and both castles were destroyed during
the XVII century wars, later left as they were for 300 years. The first
restoration works commenced only in the end XIX– beginning XX century. In
the years 1929-1939, when the Vilnius land belonged to Poland, restoration
works took especially high speed, and were taken over by Lithuania in
1939. Alas, the World War II not only intervened with the restoration but
also made huge damage to the castles. The second stage of restoration works started in 1950. Restoration of the central palace of the Island Castle was completed in 1962, while the western casemate was opened to visitors after twenty-five years, in 1987. Restoration of Trakai castles have been continued also after regaining Lithuania’s Independence: 16 exhibition halls were arranged in 1992, some years later the whole castle ensemble was covered with the new roof. Routine restoration works are done each year. - What changes has the year 2005 brought to the Trakai Historical Museum? - This year, the museum has expanded its exposition with the Medininkai Castle that houses a separate collection. In the near future, a donjon will be opened for museum activities. We have plans to establish a Medieval township in the castle court and bring to life old traditional crafts – potter, blacksmith, goldsmith, glass and other craftsmen workshops. We wish not only see folk articles sold, but also show tourists their manufacturing process. Today, the territory of the Trakai Historical Museum looks very lovely. The situation that you see today is the result of the project the implementation of which lasted for several years. The project was launched in 1996 when the Trakai Historical Museum, Trakai Municipality and Trakai Parish Priest signed the protocol of intentions on arranging a church art exhibition in the chapel of the former Domininkonai Monastery. However, the realization of the project lasted longer than expected and the reason was the restoration of the chapel. The exposition has been opened for public only this year. The largest part of exhibits has arrived from the collections of the Trakai Historical Museum, paintings have been borrowed from the Siauliai Ausra Museum and some other exhibits have come from private collections. We think that the exposition housed in two halls clearly illustrates the most important and interesting facts in Trakai history. Lithuanians and foreign tourists find the history of the monastery chapel no less interesting. - What new exhibitions and events will the Trakai Historical Museum offer its visitors? - I think that one of the most interesting events is the Polish exhibition Medieval tortures and punishments showing the evolution of moral, physical and death penalties. This exhibition has supplemented the traditional Medieval Festival arranged every June. This year the festival has welcomed lots of guests – knights, craftsmen and viewers – from Lithuania and neighbouring countries. We have decided to repeat the festival on 20 – 21 August and arrange a similar-kind mini festival in the Island Castle. - How has the number of visitors been growing in the last years? - We are observing the significant growth of tourists and guests from Spain, France and Italy. Tourist groups are replaced by individual tourists that we received 280 thousand last year. We have recorded that the museum had more tourists during the first half this year than throughout the whole last year, and their number is still rising. We are very pleased about this fact and lay all our efforts to make the visit to our museum be interesting and memorable. The museum has published special tickets, prepared souvenir medals and pins, cards with the museum, established a castle post and now every guest may send a special post card to his home country directly from the castle. - As soon as Lithuania acceded the European Union, international cooperation of all organizations and institutions has greatly expanded. What international relations does your museum maintain? - The most active cooperation is developed with Poland. We have signed cooperation agreements with three Polish museums: Warmia and Masuria Museum in Olsztyn, Brodnica Castle Museum and Malbork Castle Museum. Cooperation with the Bauska Castle Museum in Latvia and Rakvere Museum in Estonia is also based on bilateral agreements. Our museum actively participates in festivals organized by our partners, exchanges exhibitions. The Trakai Historical Museum belongs to the Association of Castle and Museums around the Baltic Sea that incorporates nine countries. Members of the Association Board, myself including, often meet to discuss the most topical issues, share experience and develop joint projects. - What are the major problems that Lithuanian museums encounter today? - Slow modernization of museum expositions and facilities is the greatest concern of the present day. The Lithuanian Government is expected to approve the Museum Coordination Programme at the end of the fourth quarter of this year. This is to be a large move forward, although its successful realization will depend upon financing. We are no less concerned about how well the acquisition of exhibits will be financed and how we will be able to increase salaries of museum workers. |
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Teaching
Foreigners Western Democracy Principles and Military Skills at the Military
Academy of Lithuania |
“What is the history and statistics of international
courses?” “The history of international courses started on 4 March 2003 when the then National Defence Minister Linas Linkevicius passed an order on conducting international courses for officers and civilian personnel from South Caucasus and CIS. The first International Course for Captains was launched after eight months, on 3 November 2003, and the English Language Course - on 5 January 2004. The Military Academy of Lithuania has successfully undertaken the new activity that has already brought the first results. The Academy has arranged the International Courses for Captains of Ground Forces and Military Air Forces, also ten other courses in the English Language, Security Studies, Crisis Management, Military Strategy, Security Policy, Security Studies Consultations on Legal Issues lasting from one week to six months. The Academy has already completed three International Courses for Captains and two International English Language Courses. Certificates were presented to 101 officers: 20 from Azerbaijan, 19 from the Ukraine, 18 from Armenia, 14 from Uzbekistan, 9 from Georgia, 6 from Latvia, 5 from Estonia, 5 from Moldova, 2 from Belarus, 1 from Kazakhstan and 2 from Serbia and Montenegro. As you may see the initial idea to give courses to officers and civilian personnel from South Caucasus and CIS has expanded to other countries. In the future, there are plans to expand the contents of courses lasting from four to six months.” “What is the goal of international courses?” “All international courses share the same goal - giving knowledge to foreign officers about Lithuania’s position towards the global processes, evaluation criteria, sharing principles of Western democracy, helping to solve different issues in the framework of Partnership for Peace programme.” “How have foreign countries reacted to Lithuania’s proposal to train their officers?” “The information that we get from our diplomatic missions and course graduates allow us drawing a conclusion that Lithuania’s initiative is very welcomed. The best proof is the request of our partner countries to give more places to their officers wishing to attend our courses.” “What are the criteria used for selection of candidates to international courses and how well are they prepared in our specialists’ view?” “The International Course for Captains may be attended by officers having completed basic courses for platoon commanders and who have practical experience from three to four years in this field, also speak the English language at Level 2 according to NATO STANAG 6001 and are computer literate (Word, Excel, Power Point). Officers wishing to study in the International English Language Course must speak Basic English. The English language (Level 2 according to NATO STANAG 6001) is also the main requirement for applicants to all other courses. Alas, the knowledge and preparedness of participants differs a lot. All courses are conducted in the English language and it is the language that is a hard nut to crack for some of the participants. This year, two officers who have initially intended to attend the Captain Courses have been sent to first improve their English at the English Language Course, of course having received an agreement from their home countries.” “What is the NATO input into preparation of training programmes?” “All programmes have been prepared according to NATO methods and methodology. The NATO leaders highly value Lithuania’s initiative, are very happy that courses are conducted in the English language that is the NATO operational language and give substantial support to the courses. In 2002 Col. Lieutenant Karl-Dieter Erkes from Germany came to Lithuania to help us in preparation of the programme for Captain Course and, when acting as an instructor, assisted in implementation of this project. We also receive significant support from Great Britain, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the USA, and Canada.” “What other specialists assist the NATO instructors and lecturers of the Military Academy of Lithuania in delivering the courses?” “Courses are conducted by instructors and lecturers having special professional training. The major part of Captain Course’s programme is delivered by NATO instructors. Participants of other courses listen to professors, associated professors, lecturers of university departments and instructors of military departments. Some lectures are given by directors of departments of the Ministry of National Defence and specialists of some other institutions. Lecturers and instructors widely use visual and technical aids, handouts, and tests. The innovative teaching methods help to qualitatively and consecutively present knowledge and information, raise problematic issues, arrange discussions and analyse the existing situation. Participants of courses hold very good opinion about the competence and professional knowledge of all instructors and lecturers.” “How have, in the run of time, teaching programmes changed?” “Without any doubt, the programmes and teaching materials have been modified and improved. This is a natural process and it comes with the experience. For example, the Captain Course does not include the topic of Baltic Sea coast defence any more (the issue was very important in using active territorial defence principals before joining the NATO Alliance). Participants of courses study according to the NATO principal Host Nation Support that Lithuania observes in accepting friendly forces. The Captain Course programme has been supplemented by lectures in military operation any then war and their practical training (MOOTW-PSD), larger number of English language classes, tactical and operational level of military ethics. In June 2003, we introduced the computer tactics simulator in organization of tactical training of company, battalion and brigade command posts; in the beginning 2004 close air support (CAS) training was launched using military aircraft; while this year participants of courses will go to Germany where they will watch standard combat training using all types of military ammunition. Today, practical training is organized in a complex way. Programmes of other courses are regularly improved to meet the needs of officers and changing situation. I may bravely say that the training model that has been taken over from the Baltic Defence College established in Tartu, Estonia and adapted for our needs has proved a success.” “Do Latvians and Estonians organize similar courses?” “As far as I know no such courses are arranged in other Baltic States.” “What impressions do participants of the courses get about Lithuania? Is it difficult for instructors to find understanding with people coming from countries so different from Lithuania?” “Officers from South Caucasus and Central Asia marvel at the changes in Lithuania after restoration of its independence. They usually ask, “How have you succeeded in doing so much within such short period?”. Participants of courses have an opportunity to go on different tours and so to learn more about Lithuania. A special cultural programme is developed for each course introducing participants to Lithuania’s history, culture, traditions, customs, etc. Our instructors have noticed that people from South Caucasus (especially Armenians and Georgians) are very interested in Lithuania’s cultural life and history. They put a lot of questions, look for similarities with the history of their home countries, and always willingly share some of the most interesting historical facts. For instance, participants of the International Security Policy Course conducted in spring coming from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Uzbekistan visited the Presidential Palace, Seimas, Ministry of National Defence, Lithuanian Great Hetman Jonu?as Radvila Training Regiment, got acquainted with the old Vilnius architecture, also visited modern centres, like Europa and Akropolis. If participants of courses are given a possibility to choose between a museum or a modern entertainment centre, their opinions will always differ, however, as a rule, all of them enjoy making photos. They wish to take pictures in every place they visit and so instructors sometimes even have to bring more discipline. Trips to the Lithuanian seaside are always popular, therefore, when we have a possibility, we always include them into our tour list. Participants of courses are also interested in meeting representatives of their national communities in Lithuania and are offered to meet them at the cup of tea or coffee in the Academy. In their turn, officers attending the courses arrange thematic evenings in the Military Academy and introduce instructors to the countries they come from. This is a good opportunity to learn each other better and make friends. There are cases when some problems arise due to the language barrier or hot temperament of some participants (it is no secret that the Armenians and Azerbaijani still hold some grievance to each other), however they are immediately solved. Our instructors spend lots of time with participants, have gained large experience and do not allow conflicts to arise. On the other hand, participants of courses come to Lithuania to gain knowledge and should direct all their energy towards this single goal. Sometimes, we have to adjust the menu to different wishes or religious believes of the participants. The most important thing is that all our guests are fully satisfied with living conditions. They are accommodated in single rooms of the Academy’s dormitory that are equipped with a TV, computer, shower and a small kitchen, so on weekends or days off students may make food themselves.” “How are the international courses organized by the Military Academy of Lithuania financed?” “Training programmes are financed by the Ministry of National Defence. Money comes to the Academy’s budget and later the Academy performs the planned financial operations.” “What conclusions would you draw from the experience of international courses?” “Without any doubt, the international courses are absolutely necessary and very useful. If speaking in more detail, my first conclusion would be - we should not be afraid of challenges. On the contrary, we must bravely show the initiative and responsibility, do not fear new activities and making mistakes. It is far better to learn from mistakes than to do nothing at all. The second conclusion shows that we need more instructors, must raise their qualification and skills, send them on international missions and carry out the rotation. The lack of material provision, especially transport is the third conclusion to be drawn. We must solve such problems without any delay, alas not everything is in our powers. The fourth conclusion would be that some participants of courses do not meet our requirements what greatly affects the quality of training. However, I think that in the run of time we will solve these problems. Two years is a very short period of time. Certain changes and improvements will be made, although today I am very happy about all our achievements. In summarizing my ideas, I would reiterate that the Academy does a necessary job and we are proud Lithuania to be a leader among the Baltic States. I am very glad that the General Jonas zemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania helps the states that have chosen the democratic way of life to implement their goals and aspirations.” |
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Coloured and Vivacious World of Genovaite Skrabuliene |
Genovaite
Skrabuliene was born in 1950 in Silute. In 1962 she finished the M. K.
Ciurlionis Art School and in 1974 graduated from the Lithuanian State
Institute of Fine Arts (today Vilnius Academy of Fine Arts). The artist is
the member of the Lithuanian Artists' Association since 1992 and Indiana
Artists' Association (USA) since 1997. G. Skrabuliene arranged 18 personal
exhibitions in Lithuania, Sweden, Israel, USA and Russia. 1973 was the year
when the painter started regularly exhibiting her works in Lithuania and
abroad. Her works may be found in private collections in Germany,
Yugoslavia, France, the Netherlands, Austria, Sweden, USA, Canada, Israel,
Japan, Poland, Russia and other countries. "Consciousness spurred by subconsciousness acts off-the-cuff. This seems to be the aesthetic position of Genovaite. Her pictures make to believe that a man needs only eyesight out of all cognitive abilities. The eyesight free from all intellectual presumptions is the only instrument able to show the viewer the coloured world of moods. Some colours are calm, others cause shock, some other intrigue by their bareness, helplessness or courage and multi-coloured mixture. Genovaite is the master of colours feeling very strong about worldly realia. On the other hand, the chords of colours are not an end in itself. They emerge from the artist's world of feelings that comes to us through the womanly sensitivity to her own experiences," wrote the artist Algimantas Kezys after opening an exhibition in Chicago. |
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Fragility and Stability in Artistic Reflections |
Algimantas
Stanislovas Kliauga I was born in 1943 in Rokiskis. In 1962-1968 I studied at the Lithuanian State Institute of Fine Arts (today Vilnius Academy of Fine Arts) which I graduated with the speciality of a painter-painting teacher. I am the member of the Lithuania Artists’ Association since 1980. The main fields of my creation are painting, graphics and scenography. I worked on probation in Hungary and Germany and was awarded prizes for portraits, also was the prize-winner of international painting plein-airs in Hungary and Bulgaria. I participated in 6 international and 12 national plein-airs. Since 1969 my works were exhibited 150 times in Lithuania and abroad. 9 personal exhibitions were arranged in Lithuania, Canada, United Arab Emirates. My works may be found in museums in Lithuania, Germany, Hungary and Canada, private collections, banks, public institutions. I grew up in the old land of Seliai, close to an old church built in a neo-Gothic style that was to inspire that indecent wish to become an artist and create something “eternal” with my own hands. It was many years later that I understood that stability and fragility were twin-brothers… My visions that abound in people, forests, fields, water and old estates have impelled me to show their entirety. In my works, I try to resist the existing chaos. I still find the spirit of history, spiritual experience of our nation and its artistic traditions to be very important. I remain faithful to the main painting features, emotionality, spontaneity and expression. |
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From a Monumental Symbol to Play of Imagination |
Audrius
Liaudanskas was born in 1959 in Vilnius. In 1990 he graduated in
sculpture from the Vilnius Academy of Fine Arts. Still being a student
(1988), A. Liaudanskas started exhibiting his works in Lithuania and abroad.
Since 1994, the artist arranged 7 personal exhibitions in Lithuania. He is
the member of the Lithuanian Artists’ Association since 1997. The collection
of artist’s works contains over 200 sculptures and sculpture compositions.
A. Liaudanskas works may be found in galleries and private collections in
Lithuania, also private collections in Australia, Canada, USA, Germany,
Malta, Russia and Finland. “Audrius Liaudanskas uses allegory principles to reach interesting artistic solutions. The author harmoniously combines the architectural form and sculpture-graphic relief and models it so as to even more clearly show the main form,” Chairman of the Lithuanian Artists’ Association, sculptor Vaclovas Krutinis speaks about artist’s sculptures. “The wide diapason of the plastic form, diversity of materials, excellent technique, sensitive artistic solution of current-day and philosophical problems prove the sculptor’s mastership” "Angels' works - tear dryers is one of my most favorite cycles. Some angels resemble bees and collect people's tears, others leave tear-soaked wings at the Pearly Gates and put on new," says the author. |
