As Lithuania marks the 90th anniversary of the Klaipėda Region incorporation in the Republic of Lithuania, the Speaker of the Seimas Vydas Gedvilas paid a visit to Klaipėda on 15 January 2013 and took part in the events to commemorate the anniversary.
“It is a special day for residents and guests of Klaipėda as well as for the whole of Lithuania. We commemorate the 90th anniversary of the integration of the Klaipėda Region into the Lithuania proper. On this occasion we should remember and honour the participants and initiators of the Revolt who managed to change the complex fate of this region”, the Speaker of the Seimas said at the solemn ceremony held at the monument to honour the dead during the Revolt of 1923.
“This significant historic moment granted Lithuania an access to the Baltic Sea. This day bears the same importance as the 13 January, 16 February, 11 March or the Day of the Coronation of King Mindaugas”, stressed Mr Gedvilas.
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On 14 January 2013, an exhibition Fight for Klaipėda: People and Events to mark the 90th anniversary of Klaipėda Region becoming a part of Lithuania was opened in the Exhibition Gallery of the Seimas. Taking into account the fact that this year we celebrate the unification of the Klaipėda Region with the Republic of Lithuania which took place 90 years ago and had particular significance to our state the Seimas has decided to announce 2013 the Year of the Klaipėda Region. The commemoration event was attended by the Speaker of the Seimas Vydas Gedvilas. The exhibition at the Seimas was organised at the initiative of the Member of the Seimas Irena Šiaulienė.
The History Museum of the Lithuania Minor and the Institute of History and Archaeology of the Baltic Region, University of Klaipėda prepared the exposition. The exhibition reflects the most significant events from the end of World War I to the incorporation of the Klaipėda Region in 1923. Documents, photos and historical plans related to the events of that period and people who contributed to historical development of the Klaipėda Region are featured in the exhibition.
Photo by Ilona Šilenkova
Erika Straigytė, Adviser to the Speaker of the Seimas, tel.: +370 5 239 6004, +370 5 698 42 376
Public Relations Unit of the Seimas, tel.: +370 5 239 6875
