Lithuanian Culture Park opened in Antalya
Celebrating the Day of Restoration of Lithuania's Independence, „Lithuanian Culture Park“ was opened in Muratpaşa Municipality (Antalya) on the 12th of March. The trees in this park were planted two years ago by the Lithuanian community in Turkey, on the occasion of the anniversary of the Restoration of Lithuania's Independence. The Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania to the Republic of Turkey H.E. Mr Ričardas Degutis, the Mayor of Muratpaşa Municipality Mr Ümit Uysal, the Chairperson of the Lithuanian Community in Turkey Ms Elena Malašauskaitė and the Honorary Consul of Lithuania in Antalya Mine Okudur Gül delivered welcoming speeches at the opening ceremony. Lithuanians from Antalya, Alanya, Eskişehir attended the event.
The participants were glad that the Lithuanian Culture Park will become a place where Lithuanians living in Turkey can gather, a place that unites the cultures of different nations and can help to further strengthen the relations between Lithuania and Turkey. In the event, solidarity and support for Ukraine's struggle for freedom was expressed, by honoring the victims in a minute of silence.
The students of the Lithuanian school "Vaivorykštė" and their mothers greeted the participants with a short concert program. Drawings of Lithuanian children depicting Lithuania were exhibited to the visitors of the park as well.
A basketball tournament was held on the basketball court in the center of the park. It began with a duel between the Lithuanian Ambassador and the Mayor of Muratpaşa and ended with children's free throw shots competition.
The festive event was organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania and Antalya Muratpaşa Municipality in cooperation with the Lithuanian community in Turkey.
We also thank Mehmet Shahin, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Lithuania in Alanya, for his support.
