19 February 2026

Discussion “Friends in Need” and Closing Event of the Exhibition

A friend in need is a friend indeed. As they took their first steps toward freedom, Lithuania and the other Baltic states received comprehensive support from democratic countries. 

As February 28 approaches—the day on which we will commemorate the historic de facto recognition of the restored Lithuanian state by the Kingdom of Denmark—we warmly invite you join us for an open discussion with experts, to remember this important history and to express gratitude for friendship and solidarity.

DISCUSSION. On February 25 at 5:30 p.m., We invite you to the closing event of the exhibition “Friends in Need.Denmark – Lithuania, 2026” and a special discussion with the guests of the event. We invite you to  

• take a look at the relations between Lithuania and Denmark over more than 35 years – from the first steps towards freedom to today’s partnership in Europe,  

• we will also recall the main exhibits and the stories they tell, which testify to our shared path to freedom.  

PARTICIPANTS 

Grete Sillasen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to Lithuania;   

Anna Enemark, Regional Director for the Baltic States and the Baltic Sea Region at the Danish Cultural Institute in Riga;   

Algirdas Saudargas, first Minister of Foreign Affairs of the restored Republic of Lithuania;   

Dr. Kristian Hanberg, Associate Professor at the University of Copenhagen,   

Dr. Dalia Bukelevičiūtė, Associate Professor at Vilnius University, 

Marijus Gudynas, Head of Directorate for European Bilateral and Regional Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania. 

MODERATOR: Dr. Ilona Strumickienė, Head of the Statehood Centre at the National Library of Lithuania.   

LOCATION. The event will take place in the Conference Hall of the National Library (5th floor) and will also be broadcast live on the National Library's YouTube channel.  

The discussion will be held in Lithuanian and English with simultaneous interpretation.  

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More information about the exhibition is available on the National Library’s website.