22 April 2024

#mES20 | Exhibition marking the 20th anniversary of Lithuania’s accession to the European Union

The #mES20 exhibition, marking the 20th anniversary of Lithuania’s accession to the European Union, tells the story of the long and difficult path Lithuania has taken since regaining independence and integrating into the European Community.

Starting with dissident and underground movements fighting for independence and international recognition, Lithuania took its first steps towards the European Community, seeking political and economic stability and international support.

The exhibition illustrates how the threads of relations with the European Community were built and strengthened, from the first official meetings and the signing of treaties, to the negotiation of EU membership and the shaping of public opinion on the issue. Particular attention is paid to the 2003 referendum – which was of particular significance for Lithuania’s membership in the European Union – and to the first years in the European Union, which led to a series of changes in the country’s political and economic development.

The exhibition also reflects the diversity of public attitudes towards European integration, presenting the opposition and support the country faced in its quest for EU membership. Such “homework”, as the closure of the Ignalina nuclear power plant or the regulation of the sale of land to foreigners, shows the challenges Lithuania had to overcome in the integration process.

Visitors to the exhibition will have the unique opportunity to see the original Treaty of Accession of Lithuania to the European Union and the pen that was used to sign this historic document, as well as other artefacts related to these historical processes.

The #mES20 exhibition at the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania is like a guide inviting visitors to reflect on Lithuania’s path to Europe, the significance of its membership in the European Union, and its future prospects.

The exhibition is on display in the atrium of the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania (3rd floor) and in the Education Lab-Laimė Lukošiūnienė Hall (5th floor).

The exhibition will be on display from 26 April to 9 June 2024.

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The exhibition has been commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania and organised by the staff of the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania: Mindaugas Tamošaitis, Dovydas Matrosovas, Sigita Černevičiūtė, Ilona Strumickienė, Jūratė Imbrasaitė, Andrius Šuminas, Evald Stasilo.

Exhibition architecture by Vytautas Gečas.

Graphic design – Emilija Dobrovolskienė, Brigita Bukialytė.

Coordinator Milda Dainovskytė.

For their assistance in the preparation of the exhibition, we would like to thank the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Lithuania, the Representative Office of the European Comission in Lithuania, the Office of the Chief Archivist of Lithuania, the New Archives of the State of Lithuania, the Central State Archives of Lithuania, the Special Archives of Lithuania, and the Archives of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, the National Museum of Lithuania, the Money Museum and the Bank of Lithuania, the Kaunas City Museum, the Vytautas Magnus War Museum, the State Data Agency, the State Border Guard Service of the Republic of Lithuania, the Radio and Television of Lithuania, the publications “Lietuvos rytas”, “Lietuvos aidas”, “Respublika”.

We would also like to thank Vilma Akmenytė-Ruzgienė, Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, Dalia Kutraitė, Jonas Staselis, Giedrė Streikauskaitė, Andrejus Tomenko, Darius Žeruolis.

Organised by the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania.

Briefly about the exhibition

Date

26 April – 9 June 2024

Place

3rd floor atrium and the Education Lab-Laimė Lukošiūnienė Hall, 5^th floor

Attendance

free

Organizers

Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania

More information

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