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This year Lithuania marks anniversaries of three distinguished individuals, three scholars, three good friends and companions, persistent Lithuanian freedom case defenders and fighters. Dr. Adolfas Damusis – 110, dr. Jospeh Peter Kazickas – 100 and dr. Kazys Ambrozaitis – 100.
To honor these extraordinary people and their work Martynas Mazvydas National Library of Lithuania presents a series of special events. Program includes documentary film screenings, exhibits, conference, lectures and meetings.
“Lithuania has many sons and daughters to be proud of. I’m confident that three allies, Ambrozaitis, Damušis ir Kazickas, play a vital role in Lithuania’s freedom case. They were and still are a perfect example how to persistently defend Lithuania’s freedom and independence in the diaspora, as well as in restored independent Lithuania. Our mission is to remember and to honor these extraordinary individuals for their work and their intellectual legacy,” shared National library director, dr. Renaldas Gudauskas inviting everyone to Adolfas Damusis political studies events.
June 11th we invite everyone to documentary “Pavergtuju sukilimas” (en. “An Uprise of the Enslaved”) (director Algis Kuzmickas) screening. It is dedicated to dr. Kazys Ambrozaitis (1918-2015) 100th anniversary. Politics and culture analyst Vidmantas Valiusaitis who is also one of movie producers, will introduce the film. President Valdas Adamkus’ word will also be heard.
June 12th documentary “Vejelis iš Lietuvos” (en. “A Breeze from Lithuania”) (director Saulius Berzinis) will be introduced. This film is dedicated to Lithuanian philanthropist, patron and entrepreneur Joseph Kazickas’ (1918-2014) 100th anniversary. Jurate Kazickas, president of the Kazickas Family Foundation, Neila Baumiliene, KFF NY office director and film director S. Berzinis will participate.
June 13th Arvydas Reneckis’ film “Adolfas Damusis” will be presented. It is dedicated to dr. Adolfas Damusis (1908-2003) 110th anniversary. Dr. A. Damusis legacy researcher dr. Ilona Strumickiene, A. Damusis Democracy center director V. Valiusaitis will participate and are iinviting everyone to a discussion following the movie screening.
June 15th at 3pm exhibition “Three friends: Damusis, Kazickas, Ambrozaitis” public opening. According to V. Valiusaitis, “they all were the children of Other Independent Republic: they grew up there, went to school there and left their footprint there. At the same time Lithuania was facing its fate of destruction and occupation by the Soviets and the Nazis. So the main thread uniting them was the resistance to occupation in 1940-1944, commitment to freedom and persistent fight for Lithuania’s democracy in 1944-1990. They were fortunate to accomplish so much out West, to see Lithuania regaining its freedom in 1990 and to return here. Each of them in his own way, each with his own contribution, according to the abilities, experience and professional knowledge.”
Exhibition consists of few parts highlighting the values that linked those three intelectuals, commitment to their families and their nation and excitement to return. Dr. R. Gudauskas, Ginte Damusyte, Jurate Kazickaite, Ramune Ambrozaityte-Fry will participate.
Exhibit opening will be followed by two day conference “Freedom case and diaspora: heritage, current issues and expectations.” Vilnius archbishop Gintaras Grusas, head of the Seimas of Lithuania historical heritage committee Arunas Gumuliauskas and representative of the Lithuanian community of the World Vida Bandis and Viktoras Nakas.
June 16th at 6pm Holy Mass at St. Apostles Philip and Jacob Church in A. Damusis, J. P. Kazickas and K. Ambrozaitis memory.
National Martynas Mazvydas Library information