Baku hosts gala evening celebrating Lithuania's Statehood Restoration Day PHOTO

The International Mugham Centre in Baku hosted a grand evening and reception dedicated to the Day of Restoration of Lithuania's Statehood.

Before the event, the Lithuanian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Kęstutis Vaškelevičius, along with representatives of the diplomatic mission, warmly welcomed guests in the foyer of the centre, Caliber.Az reports referring to local media outlets.

Among the attendees were ambassadors, officials, cultural and scientific figures, as well as representatives of public institutions. Guests were treated to traditional Azerbaijani and Lithuanian cuisine.

The evening commenced with the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Lithuania, performed by the renowned Lithuanian Čiurlionis String Quartet.

In his address, Ambassador Vaškelevičius reflected on the historical significance of Lithuania’s Statehood Restoration Day, celebrated annually on February 16. He recounted the pivotal moment in 1918 when the Lithuanian Council, acting on behalf of the nation, proclaimed the establishment of an independent, democratic Lithuanian state in Vilnius.

The Ambassador highlighted Lithuania’s challenging yet remarkable journey toward statehood, independence, economic progress, and global recognition. He also underscored the strong diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between Azerbaijan and Lithuania, noting that the two nations recognized each other’s independence in 1991 and established diplomatic relations on November 20, 1995 — marking 30 years of cooperation.

Following the speeches, the Čiurlionis String Quartet delivered a mesmerizing concert featuring compositions by Mikalojus Čiurlionis, Joseph Haydn, Astor Piazzolla, Faustas Latėnas, and Giovanni Sollima. The performance was accompanied by a visual showcase of Čiurlionis’ paintings, paying tribute to the 150th anniversary of the distinguished Lithuanian composer and artist.

Founded in 1968, the Čiurlionis String Quartet is celebrated for its innovative approach and technical mastery. In 1990, the ensemble was among the first recipients of the prestigious Lithuanian National Prize for Culture and Arts. The musicians perform on rare 18th-century Italian instruments and actively collaborate with various musical groups and creative projects, further enriching Lithuania’s cultural heritage.

By Tamilla Hasanova