5 July 2023

Exposition “Lithuania on the Path to NATO. 1991-2004”

This year Lithuania celebrated two very significant dates – the 19th anniversary of its membership of NATO and the European Union.

Another significant date for Lithuania is approaching – 11-12 July, when the NATO Summit will take place in Vilnius. Next year will mark the 20th anniversary of Lithuania’s membership of NATO, one of the most important dates in the country’s history, and one that has been highlighted by Russia’s entry into the war in Ukraine. These historic events are commemorated not only by political meetings at the highest level, but also by exceptional events and exhibitions.

From 10 July, the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania Creative-Cultural Industries Group and its partners invite you to visit the interactive exhibition “Lithuania on the Road to NATO 1991-2004”, dedicated to the NATO Summit in Lithuania, at the National Library. The exhibition aims to stimulate public interest in the country’s security and defence strategy, national defence and international cooperation in ensuring national and Alliance-wide security. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the times we live in, the challenges and threats we face, and the contribution we can make to the common security of NATO countries and our own country.

This is the second exhibition to commemorate the NATO Summit in Vilnius. The first one, “Powerful because United”, opened on 29 March and is open until September at the bastion of the Vilnius Defence Wall of the Lithuanian National Museum. The exhibition features a rotor hologram – a 3D modulation of the transformation of F-16 fighter jets. This important exhibition was opened by the President of the Republic of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, and the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, Christopher Cavolis.

The following documents and photographic material are presented in the exhibition Lithuania on the path to NATO. 1991-2004:

20 December 1991

Lithuania joins the North Atlantic Cooperation Council (NACC). Council Statement

23 September 1992

Vytautas Landsbergis, the first Head of State of Lithuania, visits NATO Headquarters

27 January 1994

Algirdas Brazauskas, President of the Republic of Lithuania, visits NATO Headquarters. Lithuania joins the Partnership for Peace Programme

18-19 May 2000

Vilnius International Conference NATO’s Role in the Changing Security Environment in Europe. The Vilnius Statement

23 November 2002

George Bush, US President, visits Vilnius

29 March-2 April 2004

Lithuania becomes a full-fledged member of NATO. The welcome ceremony in Washington and the flag-hoisting in Brussels

Sources for the documents and photographs:

Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania

NATO Archives Online

Office of the President of the Republic of Lithuania

Partners of the exhibition:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania

Ministry of National Defence of the Republic of Lithuania

House of Histories (National Museum of Lithuania)

Vilnius Academy of Arts

MB Tikras vaizdas (HoPro)

UAB Klaipėda Design Centre

Partial funding – Martynas Mažvydas National Library American Reading Room

Briefly about the exhibition

Date

10–23 July

Time

library working hours

Place

library central staircase

Attendance

free

Organizers

Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania Creative-Cultural Industries Group

Partners

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania
Ministry of National Defence of the Republic of Lithuania
House of Histories (National Museum of Lithuania)
Vilnius Academy of Arts 
Tikras vaizdas (HoPro)
Klaipėda Design Centre
Partial funding - Martynas Mažvydas National Library American Reading Room

More information

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