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Lithuania’sAmbassadorExtraordinary andPlenipotentiary toJapan and theRepublic of thePhilippines, DoctorHabilitatisAlgirdas Kudzys

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Fourteen years ago Japanacknowledged the restoration ofindependence in Lithuania. This year,for the first time, Lithuania will take

part in the world exhibition EXPO 2005 in Japan.Although we can hardly notice directinvestments by Japanese companies inLithuania and Lithuanian businesses cannotboast great success stories in the Land of theRising Sun, intensifying cultural exchange andactive political relations are the first positivesteps towards future economic co-operationbetween the countries.

Lithuania’srepresentation in Japan

We approached the Lithuanian Ambassador to Japan and the Re-public of the Philippines, Dr Habil Algirdas Kudzys,Algirdas Kudzys,Algirdas Kudzys,Algirdas Kudzys,Algirdas Kudzys, to find out whatsteps have been taken to increase Lithuanian and Japanese cultural,political and economic co-operation. The ambassador and his colleagues,Asta Chaladauskienë and Vytautas Gaisrys, responded by e-mail to thequestions of our editor Saulius Gudeliauskas.

– How are you getting with establishing and maintaining businessrelations and what major obstacles do you encounter?

–Lithuania and Japan have had long-lasting governmental,business, cultural and scientific research relationships (2005 will bethe 83rd anniversary of diplomatic relations established between the twocountries). There are quite a few active people and organisations both inLithuania and Japan who try to bring the two nations and countries

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Commemoration of the 85th anniversary of Lithuanian Independence andthe 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Lithuania and Japanin Tokyo. During the event a concert of reed pipe player Antanas Smolskusand saxophonist Petras Vyðniauskas was held and Kuji Mayor Yoshiaki Kuji(in the centre with his wife) was awarded the Cross of Officer of theOrder of Vytautas the Great for merits in the development of Lithuanian– Japanese relations

>>Employees of the Lithuanian Embassy to Japan in April 2005. From left

to right: Kristina Ðaltë, Aurelijus Zykas, Ambassador Algirdas Kudzys,Asta Chaladauskienë, Vytautas Gaisrys

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closer. However, fifty years of Soviet occupation erased the name of Lithuaniaoff the world map, and as a result, most Japanese know very little ornothing about our country. This lack of knowledge about Lithuania bringsfewer Japanese tourists and almost zero Japanese investment to ourcountry compared to other new EU members, which, though being part ofthe socialist block, retained their independence and maintained regularcontacts with Japan.

Last March, members of the Japanese Business FederationKeidanren, led by the European Committee Vice-President and NECcomputer hardware Company Chairman of the Board Hajime Sasaki,visited Lithuania. They met with the managers of the biggest Lithuaniancompanies and representatives of the Lithuanian Confederation ofIndustrialists to analyse the Lithuanian business environment and tolook for joint venture opportunities. Keidanren members expressed theirapproval of Lithuanian economic and social achievements and their hopefor the expansion of bilateral economic relations. During the same monththe Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists sent a delegation of 11

Lithuanian companies to Japan.Lithuanian businessmen who wish to establish business contacts

in Japan have to be very patient and should be aware that the Japanesemarket will accept only high quality products. They have to learn to keepto the terms of their contracts. This is extremely important - quite oftenbusiness contacts are broken as a result of promises which are not kept.On the whole, Japanese businessmen are pleased with the price and thequality of Lithuanian products. Indeed, Lithuanian companies are followingother EU producers who are known in Japan for their high quality products.

The Lithuanian Embassy in Japan helps Japanese businesses todiscover Lithuania by arranging visits to our country (in June, Lithuaniawill be visited by the Hokaido district’s Sapporo Chamber of Commerce

delegation, in July, by the Kagawa province business federation KeizaiDoyukai and by a delegation of parliamentarians and Tokyo businessmenin September). The Lithuanian Development Agency is also an activeparticipant in EU investment promotion seminars in Japan. Participationin such events is of great importance for dissemination of informationbecause Japanese business publications provide little information onbusiness conditions in Lithuania.

– Has the Japanese attitude towards Lithuania changed sinceLithuania’s accession to the EU?

– In my opinion, EU membership is a positive factor in many aspects,especially for Lithuania’s image in Japan. Here, the EU expansion processhad very broad media coverage and people followed it with great interest.This made our small country much more noticeable in distant Japan andthe Lithuanian identity was presented in a very European context ratherthan a Soviet one.

EU and NATO membership made Japanese businessmen interested

in the Lithuanian business environment. According to the LithuanianEmbassy, the number of business enquiries increased three to four fold.European Union membership gave Lithuanian SMEs the opportunity totake part in the EU export promotion programme “EU Gateway to Japan”.This EU financed program is an attractive option for Lithuanian companiesthat have products suitable for the Japanese market and a clear exportstrategy. In April 2005, our fashion designers Sandra Straukaitë, GiedriusŠarkauskas, Aleksandras Pogrebnojus and Vida Simanavièiûtë went ona business mission under the “EU Gateway to Japan” programme. UABContraforma, a producer of exclusive design furniture, is going to Japan inJune. Programme applicants are selected by the EU Commissionand Eurochambres, the EU Association of Chambers of Commerce.

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The programme co-ordinator in Lithuania is the Lithuanian Associationof Chambers of Commerce (LPPARA), which can be contacted regardingthe terms of participation in “EU Gateway to Japan”.

– What is the situation regarding Japanese investments and whichLithuanian products have found a niche in the Japanese market?

– Japanese investment in Lithuania is very symbolic – the totalJapanese investment in our country is under LTL 10 million (which doesnot include the joint Yazaki and Siemens investment which is, for statisticalpurposes, regarded as German). According to the Lithuanian Departmentof Statistics, Japan is not among the fifty biggest investors in Lithuania.At present, seven Japanese capital companies operate in our country; allof them are Small and Medium Enterprises.

The special trade system data in the Lithuanian Department ofStatistics show that in 2004 Lithuanian exports to Japan amounted toLTL 34.9 million while imports from Japan amounted to LTL 106.4 million.Compared to 2003 bilateral trade volume has decreased. Actually, bilateraltrade between these two countries is not stable, no visible tendencies canbe observed due to extreme fluctuation of trade volumes.

Lithuania mainly exports furniture, textile and diary products, butsmall amounts of high added value products such as lasers and optics arealso exported to Japan. Imports from Japan include cars and electronicproducts.

– What is the Japanese government’s official view of Lithuania

and what is the image of Lithuania among the Japanese public?– Officially, Japan treats Lithuania as a new EU member and as

one of the three Baltic States. Although Japan’s foreign policy sees thesecountries in similar light, officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ofJapan often express their view that Lithuania has the most active relationswith Japan. It will be difficult for Lithuania to find its way onto the list ofJapan’s top priority countries in the near future. Over the fourteen years ofindependence almost every Lithuanian leader has visited Japan – fromdifferent ministers, to prime ministers A. Šleþevièius and G. Vagnorius, tothe Chairman of the Supreme Council V. Landsbergis, the Chairman of theSeimas A. Paulauskas and finally our presidents Algirdas Brazauskasand Valdas Adamkus. The most memorable of these visits was Lithuania’sfirst Premier’s after the restoration of independence. Danutë KazimieraPrunskienë’s visit was of great political significance to Lithuania. On theJapanese side, only the Ministrers of Foreign Affairs of Japan MuneoSuzuki and Shigeo Uetake, and Deputy Chairman of the Upper HouseKozo Watanabe have visited Lithuania. Nevertheless, Lithuania is currentlyestablishing its position in the list of Japan’s priority countries. Awarenessof its geopolitical identity is also increasing. For instance, a year ago,the structures of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan dealing withbilateral Japanese relations were reorganised due to EU expansion.Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were relocated to the Western EuropeanDepartment of the European Affairs Office which includes allthe Scandinavian countries, the United Kingdom and the other EU old-guard. The other new EU members are handled by the Central and South-

Ambassadors of European Union member states to Japan withthe Chairman of the Japanese Parliament House of RepresentativesYohei Kono (in the centre of the second row)

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President of the Japanese Parliament upper house Chikage Oogivisited the Mindaugas Coronation Day event at the LithuanianEmbassy (greeted by Ambassador Algirdas Kudzys)

The ambassador’s daughter Erika greets Honorary ConsulHidekatsu Fujii with flowers on the Diplomatic Missionopening on 28 October 2004

eastern European Department. This simple example illustrates the newtrends in the Japanese geopolitical philosophy.

The Japanese public is curious by nature. They take note of newand interesting events. However, the embassy and the Lithuanianrepresentatives find it difficult to explain to the Japanese that Lithuaniais not a Soviet state any more, that it is not a Russian province, and thatLithuanian is one of the oldest European languages akin to Sanskritrather than the Russian language.

As I have already mentioned, EU membership is very useful to usbut it is still very important to show the real Lithuania and the political,ethical reliable and quality standards Japanese administration, scientists,businessmen and the public should expect from our country in the future.

Speaking of Lithuania’s image in Japan, we can’t leave out thename of the Vice-Consul Chiune Sugihara, who was stationed in Kaunasin 1939-1940. After this diplomat was recognised as Righteous amongthe Nations by the Yad Vashem Martyrs Remembrance Authority inJerusalem and his deeds were acknowledged by the Japanese government

in 1992, he became famous in Japan. The Japanese still see Sugihara asthe most important link between our countries. The Lithuanian Embassytries to use Sugihara’s story to attract the Japanese public to Lithuania – the historical place of his famous deeds of rescuing thousands of Jews.On April 22 of this year we commemorated the 105th anniversary ofSugihara’s birth (in the town of Yaotsu in the Gifu district) which wasattended by Environment Minister Arûnas Kundrotas. We plantedLithuanian oak trees from Kaunas and invited the Japanese people tolisten to Lithuanian folklore and jazz improvisations performed byV. Povilionienë and P. Vyšniauskas.

– How does the embassy improve cultural relations betweenthe countries?

– Cultural relations belong to an important area that requiresa long-term view. Lithuania can really learn a lot from Japan. Here culture

is not only highly valued and nurtured but also plays a significant part inJapanese diplomacy. The Japanese are proud of their culture and fosteredtraditions, which contributed to making their professionalism and workmethods renowned worldwide. On the other hand, Japan is a countrywhere there is great interest in the culture of other countries, as culture isbelieved to be the key to the “kokoro” (heart) of a country. As ambassador,the person who is directly responsible for building Lithuania’s image inJapan, I often think that Lithuania, with its viable and vast culturalpotential and numerous high level cultural manifestations, could make avaluable long-term contribution if it had a more streamlined culturalpolicy in Japan. First of all, Lithuania should appoint a cultural attachéand make better use of such an advantageous tool of image building,namely the qualified representation of Lithuanian culture in Japan. Ourculture is the area that we should be most proud of. We should use it tointroduce ourselves to the world.

Although our embassy does not have a cultural relations officer.The First Secretary Asta Chaladauskienë, who is responsible for political

issues, gives a lot of her energy and personal time so that the beat ofLithuanian culture would be felt in this distant country.

– Do you know which Lithuanians are the most popular in Japan?– I think you would be amazed to know that they are M.K. Èiurlionis

and J. Mekas. The M.K. Èiurlionis exhibition opened in the Saison ArtMuseum in 1992, before the establishment of the Lithuanian Embassy inJapan. Drawings by Èiurlionis arouse great interest among the Japanesepublic. The exhibition was visited by Emperor Akihito, who still remembersit and still expresses his admiration whenever Lithuanian officials visithis Palace. The symbolism, sounds and subtlety of Èiurlionis’ drawingsare very close to the Japanese spirit. Many times I’ve witnessedthe impact of his works on the Japanese. I believe that we should arrangea broader presentation of the works of Èiurlionis in a prestigious Tokyo artgallery.

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J. Mekas is a unique phenomenon in Japan and deserves a specialnote. Last year we invited J. Mekas, the world famous producer ofexperimental cinema and director of the independent film “Anthology”from New York, to represent Lithuania in the EU literary reading “Westgoes East and the Twin will meet” in Japan. There, the 83-year-old artistpresented amazing visual material specifically prepared for this eventwith readings from his early poetry selections “Idyles of Semeniškiai”(this is a single text of contemporary Lithuanian translated into Japanese

by an old and faithful Lithuanian friend, Professor Ikuo Murata). I wouldnot be exaggerating in saying that J. Mekas was the highlight of theevent. There is quite a big group of J. Mekas enthusiasts in Tokyo whichorganises monthly viewings of his experimental films. The embassy triesto link the name of this world famous Lithuanian artist with our country.

Last year we invited film director A. Matelis to the annual EU filmdays. It’s interesting that a completely unknown Lithuanian film directorand his documentaries created such great interest in Tokyo. The Japanesereally want to know more about states which have recently been createdor regained their independence and they really appreciate Lithuania’scultural creative works.

Perhaps some people don’t know that 2005 is EU-Japan Year ofInternational Exchanges. This was decided during the 11th Japanese andEU summit in 2002. The overall aim is to develop exchanges, contact andunderstanding between the people in Japan and in the European Union,and using it as a springboard for closer partnership in the future. The bestexample of this idea is the project of International Art Village inNishiaizu. Under this project, two Lithuanian artists (graphic artistEglë Micikevièiûtë and sculptor Kæstutis Lanauskas) live and work ina small town in Fukuoka district trying to turn it into a Lithuaniancultural centre. The embassy supports these kinds of projects and assistsin their implementation. We appreciate every opportunity to spread

Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito by invitationof the Lithuanian ambassador attendedthe orchestra’s concert in Tokyo Opera Cityon 29 January 2004

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The Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra directed bySaulius Sondeckis was invited on five occasionsto play in Japan

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the good news about Lithuania in Japan.We will pursue the same goal this year in extending the Japanese

knowledge of Lithuania through cinema. In May, in co-operation witha Lithuanian Film Studios, we screened A. Puipa’s film “Wolf Teeth Beads”during EU film days. In October, in co-operation with Waseda Universityin Japan, the Lithuanian Institute and the Lithuanian Film Promotionand Information Agency, we are going to arrange a more comprehensiveintroduction to Lithuanian cinema for Tokyo’s academics as well as criticsas part of a “Lithuanian Cinema Month”.

The Japanese are interested in old traditions and their interactionwith modern times. As a result, V. Povilionienë and P. Vyšniauskas’ concertwhich was arranged in April under the initiative of EXPO 2005 GeneralCommissioner R. Jankauskas was a success. Lithuanian classicalperformers are always welcome and appreciated in Japan. During the last18 months the Japanese public listened to the S. Sondeckis ChamberOrchestra, the Vilnius University women’s choir “Virgo” and the boyschoir “Àþuoliukas”. A joint Japanese and Lithuanian performance, “Sakura

Lange”, directed by J. Vaitkus, was well received by the Tokyo public.Due to logistical problems it is difficult to bring Lithuanian

contemporary figurative art to Japan. Nevertheless, we do our best to fillthis gap by arranging exhibitions of young Lithuanian artists who arecurrently residing in Japan and by supporting shows of Lithuanianphotographers arranged by Japanese enthusiasts. Lithuanian artistDalia Dokšaitë, using the Chinese and Japanese ink painting technique ofSumi-e, has become a regular participant in Japanese ink paintingexhibitions.

Lithuanian culture will be on display for the Japanese public duringthe Lithuanian National Day celebrations in EXPO 2005 on 6 July. Around

one hundred Lithuanian performers will take part in solo and group actswhich would be attended by the Lithuanian Prime Minister. Currently ourembassy is making every effort to allow Lithuanian artists and performersto reach Tokyo. I hope that these efforts would not be in vain.

– Does the Lithuanian community in Japan help you to developco-operation between the two countries?

– The number of Lithuanians in Japan is rapidly increasing. Tenyears ago, when I received my doctor’s degree at Hokaido University inSapporo, I was the only Lithuanian there. Now almost 20 Lithuanians livehere, there is a Lithuanian Consulate headed by Hidetoshi Fujii, presidentof a big construction and real estate company, and we see active co-operation between the Kaunas and the Sapporo municipalities. Last yearalmost one hundred Lithuanian nationals voted in the referendum andpresidential election. The embassy initiated the establishment of theLithuanian community in Japan. Kaunas University of Technology ProfessorVytautas Rëklaitis, who worked at Tokyo University of Technology, became

the first chairman of the community. I should say that the Lithuaniancommunity in Japan is still in its infancy; however, we have a number ofactive and enthusiastic people who assist the embassy in organisingcultural and business events. Most Lithuanian community members arestudents, researchers, IT and laser technologies specialists, Lithuanianbusiness representatives and their family members. We have a number ofmixed families who try to maintain relationships with Lithuania.

– What are your expectations from Lithuanian’s participation inEXPO 2005 in Japan?

– During the preparation for EXPO 2005 last year I visited ten>

With the Kaunas city flag.Friendly relations are developed between the cities of Kaunas andSapporo. A photo made during the meeting of the Kaunas delegationheaded by Vice-Mayor Erikas Tamaðauskas and Sapporo local authoritiesduring the international Sapporo Snow Festival in 2005. From right: Sapporo Mayor Fumio Ueda, Ambassador Algirdas Kudzys,Lithuania’s Honorary Consul Hidekatsu Fujii and Kaunas Vice-MayorErikas Tamaðauskas

>> January 2005. World Conference on Disaster Reduction in Kobe, a city

that suffered an earthquake in 1995. Representatives ofthe Lithuanian delegation (from left to right): Foreign AffairsMinistry Secretary Anatolijus Rimkevièius, Head of the NationalSecurity Department of the Government of Lithuania Stasys Knezysand Ambassador Algirdas Kudzys

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Japanese districts with lectures and portable exhibitions, met with localcommunities, government representatives, business people, cultural andmedia workers, and encouraged them to learn more about Lithuania, tovisit our pavilion and, who knows, maybe to visit Lithuania afterwards.

The awareness that Japan lacks information about Lithuania andthe importance of Lithuanian and Japanese links encouraged ourGovernment to make a decision on Lithuania’s participation in the worldexhibition in Japan. The embassy did excellent preparatory work. Forthree years, together with EXPO 2005, General Commissioner RomasJankauskas’ embassy employees co-ordinated and made all the requiredpreparations necessary, while maintaining in constant contact withthe Japanese exhibition organisation committee. The good strategiclocation of the Lithuanian pavilion is our achievement. The Lithuaniandisplay is located opposite the universal concert hall EXPO Dome whichhouses the National Day events by all participating countries, betweenthe pavilions of Russia and United Kingdom, both of which attract manyJapanese visitors. Our expectations were already met during the firstmonth - out of 150,000 visitors to the exhibition a large number came toour pavilion not only to see the exposition, but also to ask questions aboutLithuania. They also had the opportunity to speak to our Japanese-speaking young men and women, who were dressed in linen clothes fromGiedrius Šarkauskas’ collection, designed specially for the exhibition.

With such huge influx of visitors we may state that the exhibitionwill really help the Japanese to get to know our country better, to improvebilateral economic relations and to increase the number of Japanese touristsin Lithuania. Currently 6,000-7,000 Japanese tourists visit Lithuaniaevery year but we hope to welcome at least 25,000-30,000. We believethat these figures will become a reality after the exhibition, when Japanrediscovers Lithuania.

– Thank you for your informative answers and good luck withthe successful presentation of Lithuania in EXPO 2005 !

The meeting of Lithuanian Seimas Chairman Artûras Paulauskas withJapanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in March 2004. From rightto left: Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Head of the Asia andOceania Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republicof Lithuania Dainius Kamaitis, Seimas Chairman Artûras Paulauskas,first on the right: First Secretary of the Lithuanian Embassy to JapanAsta Chaladauskienë, Ambassador Algirdas Kudzys, members ofthe Seimas Irena Ðiaulienë and Gediminas Kirkilas

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Members of the Lithuanian Seimas delegation enjoyed the Japanesecuisine. At the Japanese table from left to right: former Chairman ofthe Seimas Foreign Affairs Committee (now Defence Minister)Gediminas Kirkilas, General Director of the International RelationsDepartment of the Japanese Parliament lower house Makoto Katsuura,Head of the Asia and Oceania Department of the Ministry of ForeignAffairs of the Republic of Lithuania Dainius Kamaitis, LithuanianSeimas Chairman Artûras Paulauskas with his wife, and AmbassadorAlgirdas Kudzys

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Meeting with the former Japanese Foreign Minister (in the centreon the right) during the visit of Lithuanian Seimas ChairmanArtûras Paulauskas in March 2004

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Friends and votaries of the world-famous avant-garde film producer,essayist and poet Jonas Mekas, a Lithuanian artist living in New York,during the EU literature readings “West goes East” in Tokyo. Third fromthe right – translator of Jonas Mekas texts from English into JapaneseTetsuo Kinoshita, from left to right: journalist Akiko Iimura, who livesin New York, the translator of Jonas Mekas’ poetry collection “Idylesof Semeniðkiai” from Lithuanian into Japanese professor Ikuo Murata(awarded the 4th Class Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas),well-known Japanese writer Masahiko Shimada; far right – FirstSecretary of the Lithuanian Embassy to Japan Asta Chaladauskienë

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For the Japanese former Vice-Consul Chiune Sugihara is stillthe strongest link between Japan and Lithuania. The gala event tocommemorate Sugihara’s 105th birthday in his native town Yaotsu wasattended by Lithuanian Environment Minister Arûnas Kundrotas withhis wife Diana, singer Veronika Povilionienë, and saxophonistPetras Vyðniauskas. Third from the left – Yaotsu Mayor

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Artist Dalia Dokðaitë is a regular participant of the annual ink paintingexhibitions. On 3 May her first personal exhibition opened in Tokyo.During the opening of the exhibition

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Lietuva prisistatoJaponijoje

Šiemet bus paminëtos keturioliktosios metinës, kai Japonijapripaþino atkurtà Nepriklausomà Lietuvos valstybæ, taèiau Lietuvosverslininkai dar negali pasigirti dideliais laimëjimais Tekanèios Saulësšalyje. Apie verslo ir kultûros ryšiø plëtros galimybes tarp abiejø šaliøpaklausëme Lietuvos ambasadoriø Japonijoje ir Filipinø Respublikaihabilituotà daktarà Algirdà KudzáAlgirdà KudzáAlgirdà KudzáAlgirdà KudzáAlgirdà Kudzá.

„Nors šiemet bus minimos jau 83-iosios diplomatiniø santykiøtarp Lietuvos ir Japonijos uþmezgimo metinës, taèiau apie mus þino visdar maþai Japonijos pilieèiø. Taèiau teigiamø poslinkiø jau yra.Praëjusiø metø kovà Lietuvoje pirmà kartà apsilankë Japonijos verslofederacijos „Keidanren” atstovai. Vizito metu buvo susitikta sudidþiausiø Lietuvos ámoniø vadovais ir Lietuvos pramonininkøkonfederacijos atstovais, ieškoma bendro verslo galimybiø. Tà patámënesá Japonijoje lankësi Lietuvos pramonininkø konfederacijosvadovaujama 11 Lietuvos ámoniø atstovø delegacija.

Japonø verslininkams atrasti Lietuvà labai padeda LR amba-sada Japonijoje, inicijuojanti verslininkø vizitus á Lietuvà, aktyviai dirbair Lietuvos ekonominës plëtros agentûra, dalyvaujanti Japonijojevykstanèiuose ES investicijø skatinimo seminaruose.

Lietuvai tapus ES ir NATO nare Japonijos verslininkø susi-domëjimas mûsø šalimi gerokai išaugo. LR ambasados Japonijojeduomenimis, verslo paklausimø skaièius šiuo metu yra padidëjæsmaþdaug tris-keturis kartus – taigi laukiama naujø kontraktø.

Šiai dienai Japonijos ámonës Lietuvoje yra investavusios tiksimboliškai – bendra investicijø suma neviršija 10 mln. litø. Lietuvoseksportas á Japonijà 2004 m. sudarë 34,9 mln. litø, importas iš Japonijos– 106,4 mln. litø.

Oficialiajam Japonijos sluoksniui Lietuva – pirmiausia nauja ESvalstybë, viena iš trijø Baltijos šaliø, ádomi ne tik savo ekonomika, betir kultûra. Nors ambasadoje ir nëra uþ kultûros ryšiø plëtojimà atsakingodarbuotojo, bet politikos klausimus kuruojanti ambasados I sekretorëAsta Chaladauskienë skiria daug savo asmeninio laiko tam, kadLietuvos kultûros pulsas net ir šioje tolimoje šalyje bûtø jauèiamas. Arþinote, kokie lietuviai Japonijoje populiariausi? Tai M.K. Èiurlionis irJ. Mekas. Akivaizdu, kad M.K. Èiurlionio tapybos simboliškumas,muzikalumas ir subtilumas artimas japonø dvasiai. O J. MekasJaponijoje yra atskiras reiškinys. Já buvome pakvietæ atstovauti LietuvaiTokijuje surengtame ES literatûros skaitymø renginyje „West goes Eastand the Twin will meet“. Èia gyvuoja nemaþas tarpusavyje bendrau-janèiø J. Meko ir jo kûrybos gerbëjø bûrys, kas mënesá organizuojantiseksperimentiniø jo filmø perþiûras. Jauniesiems Lietuvos meninin-kams šiuo metu atstovauja grafikë E. Micikevièiûtë ir skulptoriusK. Lanauskas, gyvenantys ir kuriantys Fukuoka prefektûroje esanèiamemaþame Japonijos miestelyje.

Gerø dvišaliø santykiø tikimës ir iš dalyvavimo parodoje EXPO2005. Jau pirmas mënuo pateisino mûsø lûkesèius, nes iš 150tûkstanèiø paviljonà aplankiusiø sveèiø dauguma japonø ateidavo áLietuvos paviljonà ne tik pasiþiûrëti ekspozicijos, bet ir susidomëjæklausinëjo apie mûsø šalá. Po pasaulinës parodos, manome, atvykstanèiøá mûsø šalá japonø turistø skaièius tikrai padidës. Juk Japonija dabariš naujo atranda Lietuvà“.

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EXPO 2005

Lietuva pirmà kartà kaip ES narë dalyvauja pasaulinëje parodojeEXPO 2005, vykstanèioje Japonijoje nuo 2005 m. kovo 25 iki rugsëjo25 d. Mûsø šalis šioje parodoje turi 324 kv.m ploto paviljonà, kuriamepristato Lietuvos gamtà, turizmo galimybës, ávairià produkcijà(akcentuojant tai, kas Lietuvoje gaminama iš natûraliø þaliavønaudojant naujausias technologijas).

2005 m. liepos 6-àjà, Karaliaus Mindaugo karûnavimo dienà,pasaulinëje parodoje bus rengiama Nacionalinë Lietuvos Respublikosdiena, turëtø apsilankyti Vyriausybës vadovas ir vyriausybinëdelegacija kartu su šalies verslininkais, visuomenës mokslo ir kultûrosveikëjais.

Lithuania took part in six world exhibitions: in 1937 in Paris, 1939in New York, 1992 in Seville, 1993 in Seoul, 1998 in Lisbon, and 2000 inHanover. EXPO 2005 is the first and the biggest world exhibition of the21st century and will last from 25 March until 25 September 2005 (for185 days). Fifteen million visitors are expected; the biggest audience thatLithuania’s presentation has ever had. Over 120 countries, 8 majorinternational organisations, key Japanese business corporations anda number of non-governmental and non-profit organisations haveassembled their pavilions on the 117-hectare territory. Lithuania hasa 324-square-meter pavilion to present our nature, tourism opportunitiesand various products (especially those produced from natural materialsand by state-of-the-art technologies). Considerable attention is paid tothe presentation of science, culture, art and sports achievements. This isLithuania’s first world exhibition in the 21st century where it will bepresented as a Member State of the European Union. Lithuania advocatesits homecoming to the West by demonstrating historical context, universalharmony (cultural, confessional and political), distinctive culture andlandscape, and achievements in environment protection, science anddevelopment of knowledge society.

The architectural assembly of Lithuanian pavilion 2DNA is made oftwo huge fragments of a three-dimensional DNA model symbolisingextinction of the confrontation of nature and culture – the core messageencoded in the topics suggested by EXPO 2005 organisers: the wisdom ofnature, the nature matrix, and the art of life. The authors of Lithuania’sexposition concept linked DNA, the matrix of life, the symbol of the modernuniversal wisdom of nature with the matrix of inanimate nature consistingof primeval elements. Images projected in the installation on the surfaceof the three-dimensional structure are directly related or associated withearth, water, fire and air. Through universal and easily recognised schemesthe exposition presents Lithuania’s cultural, artistic, scientific,technological, sports and environmental achievements as well as everydaylife trends, unique ethnic culture episodes and the effects of globalisation,history, and topicalities of today. In addition to the visual spotlights,

comprehensive information about Lithuania is available on computerterminals. The terminals contain videos about our country, its nature,culture and history, the most interesting destinations and panoramicdimensional photos. Lithuania’s presentation has already been mentionedas one of the most original and visitors are really intrigued by expositionof materials and details.

The National Day of Lithuania at EXPO 2005 World Exhibition willbe celebrated on 6 July 2005, the State Day of Lithuania (the CoronationDay of King Mindaugas). On the National Day the exhibition will bevisited by the Head of State and perhaps a top-level government delegationtogether with Lithuanian businessmen and key players of science andculture. The delegation in turn will have an audience including the Emperorof Japan, the patron of the exhibition, the Crown Prince, and the PrimeMinister of the State. The performance of Lithuanian artists on the NationalDay will be the climax of the cultural program.

In the LithuanianPavilion at theEXPO 2005 Aichi:AmbassadorAlgirdas Kudzys,Minister ofEnvironmentArûnas Kundrotasand his wife Diana

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EXPO 2005