Embassy Participates in the Opening of a Book about Jonas Balkevičius

On 22 April 2024, a book about Jonas Zemvaldas Balkevičius, the long-time dean of the Faculty of Philology of the University of Vilnius, lecturer  and researcher, who had both Latvian and Lithuanian roots, was presented at the University of Vilnius. ​​Liene Bērtule, Third Secretary of the Embassy, drew attention to the extensive support that J. Balkevičius provided to the Embassy of Latvia in the early nineties while addressing the audience. She also reminded of J. Balkevičius’ significant contribution to linguistics, which includes compiling the the Latvian-Lithuanian language dictionary.

The book, Pirmiausia aš buvau mokytoja (First, I was a teacher by Regina Venckùtė), consists of memories, interviews and letters. Until 3 June  2024, an exhibition about J. Balkevičius, Baltic language researcher, pedagogue, long-time vice-dean and dean of the Faculty of Philology. Jonas Zemvaldas Balkevičius (1923-2000), in which the diverse personality of J. Balkevičs is revealed, is being displayed in the premises of the Vilnius University Library. The exhibition and the book presentation are part of a series of events honoring the centenary of J. Balkevičius, which began with the unveiling of a plaque in Vilnius, Vivulskio Street, in April 2023.

Photo by Ronaldas Tuomas, Embassy of Latvia in Lithuania