VILNIUS, July 6 (Xinhua) -- In the spirit of Lithuania's State Day on Thursday, President Dalia Grybauskaite called for confidence in the Baltic state and seeking unity, while giving a speech at Daukanto Square here.
"The State Day is a bridge leading from the long-ago Middle Ages -- the thirteenth century -- to the beginning of the twenty-first century. Time after time, we were deprived of statehood, but we always stood as a nation ready to rebuild and recreate," Grybauskaite underlined.
According to Grybauskaite, there were many "outstanding people in Lithuania who had had the strength and the courage to recreate a free and independent state from ashes and national devastation."
Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis also addressed the past hardships and victories of the Lithuanian people, saying, "Our country has overcome a long road of trials and survived, as strong, united and free state," he was quoted as saying in a statement.
The Lithuanian President was participating in the festive ceremony before leaving to Warsaw where a meeting between Eastern and Central European states' presidents and U.S. President Donald Trump was being held the same day.
The Statehood Day is an annual public holiday in Lithuania celebrated on July 6 to commemorate the coronation in 1253 of Mindaugas as the King of Lithuania.
In a separate interview with local broadcaster LRT, Grybauskaite stressed that Lithuania's voice currently is being heard not only in Europe, but also in the world.
The Baltic country currently has "the support that Lithuania has never had before," from "many good friends and reliable allies" the head of state added, referring to the deployment of the multinational NATO battalion in the country.
State Day has officially been celebrated in Lithuania since 1991. On the evening of celebration day, Lithuanians across the country and abroad have a tradition of singing the Lithuanian national anthem at the same time.
