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Responsible economic policy

Banking union

Eastern partnership

Common energy policy

Digital services

EU budget

EU enlargement

Trade policy

Timely reached decision.Strengthens competitiveness.Approved 2014 budget and2013 amended budget

Internal market, e-signature is being developed and an agreement reached regarding telecommunicationsnetworks, ICT 2013 in Vilnius

strategic connetions; the Council reports on the completionof the energy market and strengthening of the externaldimension of EU energy policy

Talks withTT Turkey revived aftff er 3 years,Agreement on negotiations with Serbia,new negotiation chapters withMoonttenee eggroo

Three negotiation rounds with the USA, common EU position and progress in WTO negotiations

2013 EuropeanSemester completed,the new economic coordination cyclestarted

Bank supervisory andrestructuring mechanisms,recovery and resolution directive, deposit guaranteeschemes

137 legal acts

Approved7 year EU budget of

960 billion euros

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highlighted the importance of the EU Eastern Partnership;5 agreements signed andinitialled. Transport ministersagreed on infrastructure projects; Justice and home

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Fight against fraud and hate crime,concern for dff ata protection,consular assistance

Achievements of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the EU

No. 23(2014)Published since 2007

Magazine about business, science and culture leaders in lithuania

Lietuvos PramoNiNiNkų koNfederacijaLithuaNiaN coNfederatioN of iNdustriaLists

www.BESTinLT.lt

Public Limited Liability Company Lithuanian Railways (Lietuvos geležinkeliai, AB) are currently developing public logistics center projects in Vilnius, Kaunas and in Klaipėda.

Their emergence will be very beneficial for these cities and regions on account of improved business conditions and creation of new workplace, there as the state budget will be replenished with millions in proceeds.

Vilnius and Kaunas projects are partly financed (Klaipėda logistics center projects are going to be partly financed) with money from the European Union Cohesion Fund.

www.litrail.lt

Magazine „Best in Lithuania“ Nr. 23, 2014 Address: Linoleum design UABM.Mažvydo str. 9-19, LT-06256 Vilnius Tel. +370 615 83361. E-mail: rimvidas@bestinlt.ltwww.bestinlt.ltThe editorial office is not responsible for the contens of advertisements

Editor Rimvidas Stankevičius /rimvidas@bestinlt.lt/Advertising manager Gediminas Miškinis /gediminas@bestinlt.lt/Writers: Vaidas Grudis, Aris Meškauskas, Jūratė MockuvienėDesigner Lina Šiškutė / lina@linoleumdesign.lt/Cover: Lithuanian Presidency of the EU Council: facts and figures. (Illustration: www.eu2013.lt)

Prime Minister AlgirdAs Butkevičius: We are happy to have passed the Presidency examination

Linas Linkevičius, Minister of Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign affairs

184 days, 1176 meetings in Brussels, 130 adopted legal acts and 250 decisions, 50 Council conclusions, more than 30 thousand guests in lithuania, 257 translators and 500 cultural events in europe...

smart economic policy is the leading idea of the lithuanian Presidency Interview with GedImInas RaIys, the Vice-President of the Confederation of Lithuanian Industrialists and the director General of its executive directorate

aLeksandr izgorodin, analyst of department of economics and Finances of the Lithuanian Confederation of industrialists

lithuania: economy will continue to grow but the growth structure is to change in 2014

aris Meškauskas

lithuanian university of Health sciences exports knowledge

saulė Jaugelaitė

experience of lithuanian experts for kazakhstanLithuanian University of Health sciences

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Prime minister AlgirdAs Butkevičius:

the lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the european union has reached its final sprint. its outcomes will be discussed by the european institutions next January, but we can, in the meantime, briefly overview our achievements and their value for the future.

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Content

Marine interior systems and equipmentnoRaC

AQ Wiring systems uAB – we are reliable

top quality water treatment technology aUGUst IR Ko

Company's lonas mattress tYlA®*** – Product of the Year 2012, awarded the gold Medal

Outdoor wood productsGaLanIs

technology and solutions seLteKa

We aspire to be an excellent welding electrode manufactureranyKščIų VaRIs

regional leader in glass business GUaRtIs

Professional electrotechnical solutions RIfas

Business is a partner of an active societyLIfosa

Art to invoke natureRUVeRa

Packaging is the first thing to catch the buyer’s glanceteCHnoPaKas

Fall in love with linen, like we did!LIno stILIUs

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lietuvos rytas Printing house: quality, services, reliability

reliable and innovative PakMarkas

sAuridA: we develop business by monitoring the demand

AdAMPOlis – your partner of heavy duty vehicle

Ad reM trANsPOrt: close to the world, close to you

dOtNuv Os PrOJektAi – from small business to an international company

Mineral water is an inseparable part of lithuania’s historyBIRštono mIneRaLInIaI Vandenys IR Ko

vaidas grudis

The delicious "ambassador" of lithuania

Žemaitijos pienas

royal Birštonas – a resort for Health,Wellness and Harmony

ramunė HazirOne more reason to visit lithuania: Palace of the grand dukes

Mobile exhibition "up & down"

lithuanian landscapes of beingan exhibition in the language library to mark the Lithuanian presidency

graphic artist egidijus rudinskas

tAdAM! The sweet Courses for Your eyes

Ni&CO. New ideas chamber orchestra

FOOD industry

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Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius:

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The Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the european union has reached its final sprint. its outcomes will be discussed by the european institutions next January, but we can, in the meantime, briefly overview our achievements and their value for the future.

we are happy to have passed the Presidency examination

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in July, lithuania for the first time had to take responsibility for a smooth running of the Coun-cil of the european union throughout the sec-ond half of 2013. Our Presidency happened at fairly tough times in the political cycle. We had to handle complex issues outside the Presidency agenda: consultations with the u.s. on data protection, the crisis in syria and egypt, russia’s tir Convention violations, etc.

in spite of everything, the lithuanian Presi-dency can be seen as a great success. The Council reached an agreement on the eu budget for 2014 and individual eu programmes for 2014-2020. significant agreements have been reached on a joint mechanism for bank supervision, as well as on reforms in procurement and the Com-mon Agricultural Policy.

Much international attention has been drawn by the culminating events in November: the eu’s eastern Partnership summit and all the forums held in its framework. vilnius was visited by eu and eastern Partnership leaders. As planned, eu Association Agreements with georgia and Moldova were initialled; other major eu coop-eration agreements with eastern partners were signed, which will have their effect on eu-east-ern Partners cooperation in the future, and thus the economy as a whole.

unfortunately, lithuania’s efforts in the nego-tiations on the eu-ukraine association and free trade agreements have not been crowned with success, but the current high global attention and the unfading engagement of the ukrainian people might as well provide new impulses to the development of the eastern Partnership programme.

As an economist and Prime Minister of lithua-nia, i see the value of the initialled agreements not only in political terms: the agreements will open the way for closer economic cooperation and bilateral relations. eu-Azerbaijan agreement on visa facilitation and the agreement with georgia on eu participation in international missions have been signed.

We have laid foundations for bringing the lithuanian foreign policy forward: in October, lithuania was the first of the Baltic states to be elected as non-permanent member to the uN security Council; we saw the launch of the lithuania-OeCd Action Plan, providing for

specialized reviews of the country’s policies together with the OeCd already in 2014, which could form basis for potential OeCd accession negotiations. We are happy with ever closer cooperation with the Asian region, particularly with key countries in the region – China and Japan. it is expected that the dialogue will further grow in 2014 thus paving the way not only for cultural and polit-ical, but also business and trade relations with Asian countries.

As i have said, vilnius events were attended not only by eu leaders, the eu’s High representa-tive for Foreign Policy, but also the top officials, ministers and the media people of the 28 eu Member states and the six eastern Partnership countries. And i have no doubts that all this has added to lithuania’s promotion.

i would like to point out particularly the eastern Partnership Business Forum that focussed on the ways to reduce trade barriers, attract foreign investment, promote small and medium-sized businesses and look for new opportunities. The Forum was attended by more than 500 guests and over a hundred journalists. Business repre-sentatives had an opportunity to make new con-tacts, which hopefully will trigger new invest-ments and the bilateral cooperation. Personally involved in the business forum, i tried to make the entrepreneurs realize the mutual benefit of the Forum as well as the entire eastern Partner-ship. i am convinced that the trade liberalization will open up opportunities for growing flows of investments in the eastern Partnership coun-tries, and an access to a half a billion consumer market in the eu.

The lithuanian business people welcomed the direct benefits of the Presidency, in terms of the services provided: hotels and cafes operating to their full capacity. some lithuanians have a joke about the benefits being directly related to the number of zeppelins ordered.

At the beginning of this year, we compared preparation for the Presidency to sitting for an examination. We can now safely claim that lithuania has passed it. Along with all of the european union, we have showed that europe is set to restore confidence through fiscal coher-ence and stability, and that europe is growing and open.

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184 days, 1176 meetings in Brussels, 130 adopted legal acts and 250 decisions, 50 Council conclusions, more than 30 thousand guests in Lithuania, 257 translators and 500 cultural events in Europe...

Plenary Hall Exhibition and Convention Centre LITEXPO

LInas LInKeVIčIUs, mInIsteR of LItHUanIan mInIstRy of foReIGn affaIRs

T hese are only the numbers, but this is the first time this type of statistics has been seen in lithuania.

Half a year ago we took over the Pres-idency of the eu Council from ireland with much enthusiasm and courage, with the aim of creating a growing, Credible and Open europe. Those were our goals, for the implementation of which we invoked partnerships and achieved tangible progress. That is why

i call the lithuanian Presidency of the eu Council a success.

The important work in stimulating eco-nomic growth in europe was the agree-ment on the 7-year budget, on addi-tional spending for the 2013 and 2014 annual budget. The discussions and debates took many hours, and required multiple negotiation skills on the part of the Presidency country in order that the decisions were adopted. Therefore, as of the first of January more funds

from the eu budget will be allocated to stimulate scientific research and inno-vation, increasing youth employment, funding energy alliances, and other measures that could help to increase competitive ability of europe.

lithuania devoted much attention to the development of digital services. Agreement was reached on guidelines for the development of trans-euro-pean telecommunication networks, and negotiations were launched on the

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United States Secretary of State JOHn KErryand the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister LInAS LInKEvIčIUS

creation of the european e-identifica-tion system. Progress was achieved in agreements on measures increasing the security of networks and informa-tion systems, and reducing the cost of deploying high-speed e-communica-tion networks. europe’s biggest digital technology event iCt2013 was held in lithuania, attracting around 5 thou-sand global experts.

We achieved progressed in creating a common eu energy policy. during the lithuanian Presidency for the first time the 7-year eu budget provided a finan-cial line for strategic alliance projects, and an eu-wide list of projects of com-mon interest was drawn up. it includes 15 projects from the Baltic states, six of which are lithuanian.

it took tremendous efforts for lith-uania to recover from the recession; therefore the creation of a Credible europe and efforts towards prevent-ing future crises was an important priority of the lithuanian Presidency. We achieved progress in creating the Banking union. its first pillar, a single supervisory mechanism for banks, helping the prevention of financial and debt crises, will begin operating in November 2014. Moreover, political agreement has been reached on the single resolution mechanism, designed to solve the insolvency problems of banks. lithuania reached agreement with the european Parliament on the

banking capacity regulation, which will come into effect in 2016.

last year, during the Year of Citizens, the Presidency country devoted much attention to the protection of eu citi-zens’ rights. lithuania sought progress in the area of data protection so eu citizens could control their personal data in digital space. Conclusions were reached concerning the eu Agency for Fundamental rights and fight against hate crimes. it was also decided to strengthen consular help for eu nationals in third countries.

Most of all we are trying to ensure that europe is strengthening relations with its partners, because we believe that an Open europe grants more oppor-tunities, foremost economically. We moved forward towards the biggest trade agreement in the world – the eu-us Free trade Agreement, the first three negotiation rounds of which have taken place. Negotiations with Canada on the same type of agreement are completed, and a mandate for negotia-tions with China on the promotion of investments has been issued.

However, our most important event was the eastern Partnership summit in vilnius. This was the meeting that delivered tangible results.

The Association Agreements with geor-gia and Moldova were initialled in vil-

nius. This is an important step towards the consolidation of the pro-european choice of countries, and an opportu-nity to access an open market of half a billion people. Azerbaijan and the eu signed a visa facilitation agreement facilitating the eu country visa regime for citizens of Azerbaijan. Future guidelines for the eastern Partnership programme were drawn up. The results of the summit in vilnius encouraged ukrainian society to declare their wish to strengthen relations with the eu in a clear and organised manner.

returning to the numbers – the east-ern Partnership summit in vilnius was the largest of the eastern Partnership summits attended by the highest number of leaders, which received the greatest amount of media attention – it was attended by nearly all eu leaders including 45 delegations, with 750 journalists covering the events.

strong interest in the events of the eastern Partnership (held nearby at the Civil society Conference and the Business Forum) shows that the partnership of countries participating in the programme has a solid founda-tion – a clearly expressed interest from societies and business in developing relations. This is the encouraging result of the lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the european union, and a success for the eP programme as a whole.

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The Confederation of Lithuanian industrialists distinguished itself for abundance of different events related to the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the european union. The vice-President of the Confederation of Lithuanian industrialists and the director general of its executive directorate gediMinas raiys talks about the Lithuanian Presidency that came to an end recently.

Smart economic policy is the leading idea of the Lithuanian Presidency

BiL is it true that the Confederation of Lithuanian industrialists started preparing for the Presidency of the Council of the european union much earlier than ireland passed on the baton of Presidency to Lithuania?

Yes, that is true. As soon as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented the priorities of the lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the european union at the beginning of March, on the 6th of March the Con-federation of lithuanian industrialists started with its first event – the international conference smart industrial Policy – key Condition for economic growth.

it should be noted that the relevance of the topic was guessed absolutely correctly because within these years strong encouragement in europe was voiced to restore the industrial potential of europe. As far as we know, earlier everybody spoke for clean europe, the opinion was expressed that services would help the region by handing over leadership of global produc-tion to China. Why smart economy was the second accent? For the simple reason that if other policies, for example, the said policy of services, or climate change or the consumer rights were not controlled, the industrial base of europe would suffer greatly.

Therefore one of the blocks of the presidency events was related to the negotiations between european and other global economies. lithuania had the hon-our and responsibility to be not only an organiser but also a moderator of different working and pro-fessional sittings in which representative of global economies took part.

The first event of this kind was held with the repre-sentatives of Canada because it is already for many

years that the negotiations over the agreement on economic cooperation between the european union and Canada have been going on. A large delegation of the parliamentarians of Canada arrived in lithuania.

Meetings with the representatives of the largest Confederation of Japanese industrialists keidAN-reN were held while the negotiations between the european union and Japan were going on. These were interesting though difficult meetings because there are many trade barriers related to highly spe-cific local non-tariff barriers in Japan.

during that period a thorough agreement on eco-nomic cooperation between the european union and the usA was coordinated. representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce and the largest industrial companies met in Brussels. it took a long time to prepare adequately for these negotiations.

i would like to emphasise the significance of another economic vector – towards the east. since russia joined the World trade Organisation (WtO) not a long time ago, we had to observe how the require-ments set by the WtO were fulfilled, if the transi-tional periods were observed. That is of relevance to the entire european union.

BiL Though you represent the industrialists, you had to work a lot with the politicians.

Yes, i could single out the entire block of events devoted to the meetings with the delegations of the european Parliament. We had to organise confer-ences of the representatives of the Committee on the internal Market and Consumer Protection (iMCO), the Committee on industry, research and energy

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(itre), the Committee on international trade (iNtA) of the european Parliament. in this case these were sooner cognitive visits of the politicians.

BiL during the Presidency the industrialists organised thematic events.

Many events were organised in cooperation with the european economic and social Committee. One of the most exceptional events was the conference Trade: new possibilities, new ways of partnership and threats. As we know, lithuania has been integrated into global economy. The ratio of our export to gdP is especially high. This is characteristic of small scale economies. global trade and openness form the basis for our economic success. On the other hand, trade is to be conducted according to the rules that are understandable to and acceptable, as well as equally treated, by both parties.

unfortunately, there are also attempts at expansion, especially on the part of the Asian states in seeking to increase their market shares by means of not so humane methods, for example, at the expense of working conditions, wages, or artificially reduced prices with the aim to oust or eliminate the competi-tors. Anti-damping measures form the counterbal-ance to that. The basis of smart economy must be recognition of the rules acceptable to both parties in economic relations – especially with the states of Central Asia.

The chosen theme of the conference Cross-border Business had a deep implied sense. Within this context the words of the President of the russian union of industrialists and entrepreneurs Alexan-der shokhin can be cited that whether it is a vector of eurasia or that of the european union, economic and trade relations between these vectors do exist, did exist and have to exist in the future. A piece of news has been spread that despite political changes business always expects a predictable environment and seeks to achieve that political decisions should not bar the way to trade.

BiL nonetheless, the work done was crowned by two largest events organised by the Confederation of Lithuanian industrialists. Tell us more about them.

The eastern Partnership Business Forum that took place on the eve of the political eastern Partnership Forum and COPres. Council of the Presidents of BusiNesseurOPe in vilnius were really exceptional events.

The eastern Partnership Business Forum surpassed all our expectation. We hoped to receive 300 par-ticipants from russia, ukraine, Moldova and three states of the Caucasus. However, about 600 business representatives from europe, lithuania and the six above mentioned countries arrived. The Forum was

interesting first of all in that we had lecturers occupy-ing high ranking positions. They were Presidents of the european Bank of reconstruction and develop-ment and european investment banks, Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Prime Ministers.

Another exceptional event was COPres, Council of the Presidents of BusiNesseurOPe in which rep-resentatives of 41 organisations belonging to the Council participated. Presidents of even 35 confeder-ations arrived. really, we were overcome by a feeling of pride when the Presidents of both confederations of such a country as germany, whose export totals one trillion euros per year, took part in the event. This was great honour and recognition for lithuania.

Presidents of the european trade organisations, directors general and Presidents of the representa-tions in Brussels met with President of the republic of lithuania dalia grybauskaitė.

to hold the Presidency of the Council of the euro-pean union is a rare occasion; this is also creating a business environment though invisible but very sug-gestive and favourable. Hence, the lithuanian Presi-dency of the Council of the european union was an objective opportunity to achieve the subjective goals.

vicepresident of Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists, Director General dr. GEDIMInAS rAInyS

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export has continued to be the major contributor to lithuanian gdP growth – export rose by 10% in 2013 and is already 38% above the pre-crisis level. However, throughout 2013 the influ-ence of export on the economic growth was gradually fading – the rate of the export growth slowed down from 15.6% in 2013 Q1 to 7.6% in Q3, as a sluggish demand in the euro zone and weakened russian economy, as well as high basis effect (as it was mentioned, export is already almost 40% above the pre-crisis level) took its toll on lithuania’s export sectors. slight export expansion, how-ever, was partially compensated for by consumption and investment. The rate of the recovery of domestic consump-tion increased from 3% in 2013 Q1 to 6% in Q3, which was the fastest growth in consumption in 1.5 years. What is more; investments rose by 17% in 2013 Q3, from 6.7% increase at the begin-ning of 2013. All in all, there are clear signs that the structure of the economic growth in lithuania is changing – while export remains the key factor behind lithuania’s economic growth, the influ-ence of consumption and investment became clearly stronger in 2013, and

the growth rate of gdP itself became a little more dependent on domestic components.

in general, we expect the similar trend to continue in 2014. Our general fore-cast about performance of lithuanian economy remains rather positive – we expect gdP to increase by about 3.5%. Moreover, lithuanian economy has very good chances of actually surpassing the level of gdP of the pre-crisis level in nominal terms (influence of prices being eliminated) – we expect gdP to be almost 1.5% bigger in 2013 than it was in 2008. We also expect to see a similar pattern of gdP growth as in 2013 – export will remain a very important fac-tor of economic expansion, but domestic demand will continue to increase its influence on lithuanian economy, grad-ually becoming more and more import-ant in terms of gdP expansion.

We forecast that consumption will rise by 6% in 2013. This increase will largely be driven by positive developments in the labor market – as the economy will continue to recover, unemployment is expected to shrink from the current rate

Lithuania: economy will continue to grow but the growth structure is to change in 2014Lithuania’s economy demonstrated a rather rapid growth in 2013; during the first three quarters of 2013 Lithuanian real gdP rose by 3.3% making Lithuania the second fastest-growing economy in the eu after Latvia. However, while Latvian’s economy is still 10% below its pre-crisis level, Lithuanian economy is only 2.9% below the level of 2008, which makes it much more difficult for Lithuania to register rapid gdP growth rates.

aLeKsandR IzGoRodIn,

analyst of the department of economics and finances of the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists

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of 11% to 9.5%. it is worth mentioning that lithuanian unemployment rate is already below its long-term average of 12.2%. This suggests that from now on, recovery of lithuanian economy and a resulting decline in unemployment will highlight the structural problems in lithuania’s labor market. tensions in the labor market (i.e. lack of labor supply), declining unemployment, as well as improving general economic conditions, will result in a continuous growth in wages, which may reach 5% in 2014. Moreover, consumer sentiment has reached the levels of the early 2008, as lithuanian consumers have become more optimistic about the perspectives of economy and the labor market. grad-ually rising consumer sentiment will eventually stimulate some of the con-sumers to devote part of their savings to consumption.

At the same time, we expect inflationary pressures to remain subdued, with the average annual inflation reaching 2% in 2014. This suggests that the purchasing power of consumers, which has started to rise in 2013, will also continue to grow in 2014, with real wages set to rise by approximately 3%. it is also worth mentioning that the average wages in lithuania have already reached the pre-crisis level and are in fact 1.2% above the 2008 level. However, the aver-age wages in the private sector are still 0.3% below the pre-crisis level.

While we expect the structure of economic expansion to shift a little

from export to domestic consumption, export will remain the key factor behind economic expansion. We expect export to increase by 7% in 2014 in real terms. There are clear indications of gradu-ally improving sentiments and overall macroeconomic conditions in the euro zone, although the growth rate in the euro zone is still in a negative territory. We expect macroeconomic conditions to improve gradually in the euro zone, with germany (which is lithuania’s main trading partner within the context of exports of lithuanian goods) leading the way. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that exports to the eu will follow the upward trend, although we do not expect to see a rapid growth of exports to the eu region, as high unemploy-ment, weak demand, a sluggish credit growth and some uncertainty will deter-mine on the activity in the euro zone. We expect russian economy to remain rather sluggish in 2014, with gdP growth not exceeding 3%. However, we do not support the pessimistic fore-casts about the russian economy, as oil prices continue to remain at rather high levels. it is also worth mentioning that russian government has accumulated 87 bln. usd in its reserve Fund, which accounts for 4% of russian gdP. should economic conditions deteriorate signifi-cantly, these financial reserves could be used by the government to support the economy. All in all, we do not see any sharp upturn in lithuanian exports in 2014, but the pace of export growth will remain sufficient to stimulate recovery of domestic demand.

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those who have chosen the Lithuanian University of Health sciences will be able to study medicine, odontology, pharmacy and veterinary science. It is planned to admit up to ten students who want to study these programmes in the Russian language to each study field. according to the Vice-rector of the

University Prof. daiva Rastenytė, the University has been preparing for two years to create the possibilities for knowledge to be imparted in the Rus-sian language at that higher school.

the Lithuanian University of Health sciences has wide experience of work with foreign students. the Lebanese

Education

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Lithuanian univErsity of hEaLth sCiEnCEs Exports knowLEdgE aRIs mešKaUsKas

On the first of September, the students who want to gain degree in the Russian language will come to the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. This is a novelty at that academic institution, and the University will start implementing it in the course of the study programme of a new form within some months.

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were the first students to obtain the Lithuanian degree. they started study-ing in Kaunas twenty years ago. at the present time 570 students from more than 40 countries are studying at the University. the largest number of stu-dents is from sweden, spain, Israel, Lebanon, Germany, south Korea and Poland. the language of instruction for them is english.

the representatives of the University are convinced that those who wish to become professional specialists in their field choose the Lithuanian Uni-versity of Health sciences located in Kaunas taking into consideration not only the quality of knowledge gained but also the balanced cost ratio of life in the country. many people who arrive to get acquainted with the University and who want to study there are pleas-antly surprised at the country itself, its system of transport and the standard of living.

a total of 426 foreign students have re-ceived degrees since the time lectures at the Lithuanian University of Health sciences were delivered in the english language.

“during several past years the number of students has increased consider-ably. We do not doubt that studies in the Russian language will also interest foreigners”, said Prof. daiva Rastenytė.

according to her, when selecting an ed-

www.lsmuni.lt

groups of students, help the students who arrive from foreign countries in-tegrate. In recent years talented stu-dents from sweden chose the field of veterinary science. their requirements set to the teachers are especially high. “the teachers seem to have passed the test”, said Prof. daiva Rastenytė.

according to her, the Lithuanian Uni-versity of Health sciences as though exports knowledge, which is important not only to the people studying at the University but also to those who al-ready have considerable knowledge. the total result achieved is appreciated in the world, and the Lithuanian degree is recognised and serves as an indica-tor that the student has gained neces-sary knowledge.

foreign students at our University ac-count for 9 per cent of all 7000 peo-ple studying there. at the present time the possibility to create conditions for students to do clinical practise not only in Lithuania but also at the health care institutions in other countries is being considered.

another novelty at the University is courses in the Russian language for the staff. at our University they have been run in the english language for more than a year. Health care institutions, which want to improve their employ-ees’ qualification and increase their knowledge, ask our University to pro-vide training intended namely for them.

“We are constantly developing our-selves and doing our best to introduce the novelties that are of significance in the market of knowledge”, said the Vice-rector Prof. daiva Rastenytė.

ucational institution the school-leavers living abroad most often listen to the recommendations of their acquaint-ances who graduated from one or an-other higher school or to those who are still studying.

“the majority of the students who are studying at the Lithuanian University of Health sciences have taken their ac-quaintance’s advice. the fact that the students appreciate our University is very important to us”, assured us Prof. daiva Rastenytė.

LsmU makes itself known by taking part in exhibitions, conferences and in virtual space.

the University’s representatives do not doubt that admittance of foreign students to study at University is ben-eficial to the teachers too because the latter can develop intercultural com-munication. to deliver lecturers in the english language is the easiest part of classes. of great importance is the ability to create communities in the

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In another case refresher courses for the staff of the treatment establishments of foreign countries are conducted in Lithua-nia”, said the interlocutor.

Relations between the specialists of Ka-zakhstan and Lithuania were established ten years ago. during that time the staff of LsmU worked at the health care and educa- tional institutions of the partner country more than once, consulted their employees. meanwhile the courses of raising qualifi-cation were organised in Lithuania. about 1000 physicians from Kazakhstan attend-ed them and acquired necessary knowl-edge. Practical-scientific conferences were held in both countries.

according to Prof. daiva Rastenytė, close relations determined the fact that Lithua-nia’s representative capable of assuring regular close cooperation of importance to both countries has been working in Kazakhstan for some time already.

Physicians of different fields go to Kazakhs- tan – cardio surgeons, cardiologists, obste- trics-genealogists, rehabilitators, radiolo- gists, and nursing specialists. the Head of the Clinic of obstetrics and Genealogy of the Lithuanian University of Health scien- ces Prof. Rūta nadišauskienė was the first to establish cooperation with Kazakhs- tan. almost at the same time one of the most famous cardio surgeons in the Baltic states Rimantas Benetis started to main-tain close relations with Kazakhstan. “Cooperation has been developed success- fully up to now. We want it to continue and enhance”, said Prof. daiva Rastenytė.

at the present time nine universities of Lithuania are going to join for common acti- vities in Kazakhstan.

S pecialists of the Lithuanian University of Health sciences (Lietuvos sveikatos mokslų univer-sitetas, LsmU) cooperate with

hospitals operating in Kazakhstan espe-cially intensely and provide consultations to them. during the past several years the University established relations with the physicians of tajikistan who wish to take over experience of the Lithuanian physi-

cians in the field of obstetrics. according to the Vice-Rector of the University for studies Prof. daiva Rastenytė, there should be possibilities for the University to share knowledge with the employees of the medi-cal sector in other countries. “the activity is carried out in two directions. In one case our teachers go to the country with which the cooperation is established.

experience of lithuanian experts for Kazakhstan

saULė JaUGeLaItė

www.lsmuni.lt

Education

| 19

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Umega prides itself on its rich and long lasting traditions in the areas of machine manufacturing and metal processing.

• Biomass Heating equipment (industrial, domestic)• Agricultural and forest machinery• Metal components for furniture and machinery• Jerry cans• Laboratory and industrial furnaces• Air blowers• Valves and piston rings• Storage equipment• Contract manufacturing

Umega exports its products to West and East Europe, CIS, Asia, and Scandinavia.

Company Umega has these certifi cates:

• ISO 9001:2008/LST EN ISO 9001:2008• ISO 14001:2004/LST EN ISO 14001:2005• DIN EN ISO 3834-2

Recent awards and achievements:

• “Successfully working company – 2012” (Lithuanian industrial confederation)

• “Best company 2012” (Vilnius chamber of commerce, industry and crafts)

• “Lithuanian best product in 2011” – 3 gold medal award

www.umega.lt

Sales department +370 614 64129

Traditions, experience and reliability ANNO 1919

| 21

Umega prides itself on its rich and long lasting traditions in the areas of machine manufacturing and metal processing.

• Biomass Heating equipment (industrial, domestic)• Agricultural and forest machinery• Metal components for furniture and machinery• Jerry cans• Laboratory and industrial furnaces• Air blowers• Valves and piston rings• Storage equipment• Contract manufacturing

Umega exports its products to West and East Europe, CIS, Asia, and Scandinavia.

Company Umega has these certifi cates:

• ISO 9001:2008/LST EN ISO 9001:2008• ISO 14001:2004/LST EN ISO 14001:2005• DIN EN ISO 3834-2

Recent awards and achievements:

• “Successfully working company – 2012” (Lithuanian industrial confederation)

• “Best company 2012” (Vilnius chamber of commerce, industry and crafts)

• “Lithuanian best product in 2011” – 3 gold medal award

www.umega.lt

Sales department +370 614 64129

Traditions, experience and reliability ANNO 1919

22 |

Tourists of luxury cruise ships, ferry passengers, sailors of freighters, workers of offshore platforms in different countries of the world travel, relax and work in modern and comfortable cabins, which are assembled from the structures manufactured by a subsidiary of the Norwegian Company Norac operating in Panevėžys.

our production, which is internal bulkheads, plates, ceiling panels, doors, windows, hatches and bath-rooms, is exported to norway, denmark, Holland, Germany, Great Britain, singapore, the Usa, Po-land, spain, Romania, turkey, australia and other countries.

Bathrooms reach the vessels of foreign countries completely equipped. their walls and floors are tiled,

plumbing fittings are put in, lighting is installed, and mirrors are hung.

the Company also manufactures complete bath-rooms for dwelling houses, which are installed in a house being built at once. Bathrooms are mostly five square meters wide but the subsidiary of the Com-pany in Panevėžys sometimes has to make larger bathrooms suited for the disabled.

all the products of the Company comply not only with the international but also with norwegian stand-ards valid inside the Company, which sometimes are even more stringent.

the ability of the workers of Panevėžys subsidiary to be flexible, to satisfy the customers’ desires and to manufacture the highest-quality product at a com-patible price enabled the sales department of no-rac Company located in norway to successfully win a competitive struggle against the manufacturers of similar products in the global market.

www.norac.no

manufacturing

marinE intEriOr systEms

anD EquipmEnt

| 23

24 |

manuFacturing

| 25| 25

26 |

Unlike many manufacturers of wastewater treat-ment facilities, the solutions offered by august ir Ko enable nature surrounding us to be pro-

tected better and many problems caused by the tradi-tional treatment facilities to be avoided. this is the only company in europe manufacturing biological water treat-ment facilities, which is able to offer the entire water and wastewater treatment technology to the customer: from designing, manufacturing, installing water and wastewa-ter treatment facilities to their maintenance.

every two years the Compa-ny develops, tests and offers new products to the market,

EcOLOgy anD EnVirOnmEntaL inDustry

Top qualiTy waTer TreaTmenT Technology

“Solutions for man and nature” is the slogan representing the consistent attitude of the Company August ir Ko engaged in wastewater treatment facilities to the wastewater treatment problems. There are different products in the European and Lithuanian market of wastewater treatment facilities and ever more modern solutions emerge. Strict requirements set to water and wastewater treatment, the customers’ expectations and their desire to ensure comfortable living conditions for themselves make the manufacturers offer modern wastewater treatment facilities to the market.

Every two years the Company develops and tests a new product

26 |

Effluent treatment plant of Maišiagala town whose capacity is 610 m3 per day (installed in 2010)

Two AT-120-type facilities intended for the population equivalent (PE) have been installed to service vilnius Jesuit Gymnasium

| 27

www.august.lt

it can compete with the production of any country in quality and price parameters. Constant searches for new technologies and attempts not to pollute the environ-ment surrounding us has proved once again that august ir Ko will not yield its leading position in manufacturing biological wastewater treatment facilities.

tHe neW PLant Is an examPLe of HaRmony WItH natURe

Company august ir Ko seeks to achieve harmony with the envi-ronment not only in terms of its products but also in organising the entire production process. af-ter fifteen years of the Company’s activities of seeking to meet the growing need for high quality wastewater treat-ment facilities it was decided to built a modern plant. the plant has been designed seeking to reduce the impact of artificially created environment on human health and nature.

the design of the new plant has been registered and it complies with especially high requirements of the BReaam (BRe environmental assessment method) standard set to the industrial buildings.

BReeam is the world‘s leading and most widely used en-vironmental assessment method and rating system for buildings. the plant under construction will be the first building in Lithuania and the neighbouring countries to comply with the assessment “excellent” of this standard.

after the projects has been implemented in the year 2015, the planned capacities of the plant will amount to about 250 wastewater treatment facilities per day. these are quite natural needs because the sales of the Compa-ny’s production this year, as compared to those last year, have increased by as much as 60 per cent.

which meet the requirements of the customers. mean-while in europe, during the past 3-5 years, no new pat-ented products in this sphere of production have been launched. Hence, it is not by chance that technologies of biological treatment facilities developed by august ir Ko find themselves in the most prestigious scientific publications.

august ir Ko is a family company set up 15 years ago and currently it is expanding in other countries of the world. “family business obligates us to work with great respon-sibility. our eldest son is studying water treatment in mu-nich, Germany. We understand that several generations can develop the same activities only by consistently in-troducing novelties” says f. august.

one can find patented technology of biological water treatment fa-cilities of the Company in as many

as 44 countries of the world, including the whole of eu-rope and the scandinavian countries. Customers in India and specialists in water treatment in China, Vietnam and nigeria take interest in the Company’s production.

though there is a uniform Ce labelling standard in eu-rope, the majority of states apply their own national ad-ditional criteria too. for example, in norway, where eco-logical requirements are especially stringent, only four enterprises have the right to distribute biological water treatment facilities, with august ir Ko being among them. It was more than once that the Company has proved that

The design of the new plant has been registered and it complies with especially high requirements of the BREAAM standard set to industrial buildings

Production is exported to 44 countries of the world

| 27

The design of a new August ir Ko plant that meets BrEEAM standards. The work is planned to be completed in 2015

AT-6 facility intended for servicing a dwelling house where up to six people live

Sewage treatment plant of closed type of hotel Le Meridien vilnius with the golf court (mounted in 2012). Capacities of the facility are 600 m3 per day. The treated water is used for a second time

28 |

manuFacturing

ono maŽmena UAB is one of the Lonas GRoUP of companies whose core business is manufacture and sale of mattresses. the Company

has been in the Lithuanian market since 1993 and it has great knowledge of mate-rials, their combinations and properties. In 2011 and 2012, the Company Lonas was is-sued the certificate “strongest in Lithuania”, which confirmed that the Company’s solven-cy rating was high.

In 2011, the Company Lonas introduced a “breathable” mattress collection, which consisted of three mattress lines: tyLa® (si-lence) - breather pocket spring mattresses, HaRmonIJa® (harmony) - adaptable to the body viscoelastic mattresses and mŪza® (muse) - durable, advanced vlogys latex mattresses.

the first years of existence of Lonas‘ “breathable” collection testified to people’s increasing interest in high-quality and envi-ronmentally-friendly products that ensured comfort and healthy sleep. that is why one of the “breathable” mattress collections Lonas mattress tyLa®*** became “Lithu-anian Product of the year 2012” and was

awarded the Gold medal. In 2013, the Com-pany Lonas also participates in this Com-petition firmly believing that the Gold medal tyLa® *** will not be the only one award of this collection’s.

tyLa®*** is a breathable, adaptable to the body, functional and practical pocket micro-spring mattress with a removable organic latex topper.

In assessing the mattress tyLa®*** quality and environmental friendliness are impor-tant to note that the Company Lonas was one of the first in Lithuania to introduce nine mattress collection, which, instead of usual synthetic adhesives, used eco-friendly swiss water-based glue, made from 100 % acrylic and natural rubber.

all materials that Lonas uses in manufactur-ing mattresses are certified by international certificates and meet the highest safety and quality standards. advanced technology and design solutions help maintain the optimum moisture ratio in mattresses, which prevents bacteria and dust mites breeding in them. Lonas’ production are exclusive and careful handicrafts of Lithuanian masters.

famous industrial designer nauris Kalinaus-kas developed a collection of Lonas “breath-able” mattresses. Both the designer and the Company Lonas sought to refuse traditional stereotypes and to prove that a mattress does not necessarily have to be white. In this way earth-color mattress covers with the Lithua-nian tricolor accent appeared. In 2012, Lono maŽmena UAB was awarded Good desIGn diploma at the national design award Com-petition in Lithuania.

due to their positive effect on human physi-ology, Lonas mattresses are also recom-mended by kinesiology therapists. mate-rials used in the manufacture of Lonas mattresses do not disturb the circulation of blood, help the spinal column adopt an ana-tomically correct posture; hence, the mus-culoskeletal and nervous system rests faster and regenerative processes take place more efficiently. In short, Lonas mattresses com-bine physiological needs and individual hab-its turning a person‘s sleep into a qualitative and, first and foremost, healthy process. together with every product Lonas gives peace of mind, health and the ability to en-joy life every day. Lonas signifies masteRs of ComfoRt.

Company's Lonas mattress TYLa®*** – Product of the Year 2012, awarded the Gold Medal

28 |

www.lonas.lt

| 29

he highest quality outdoor wood products manufacturer galaniS offers a selection of more than

200 finished models of cabins, sheds, gazebos, furniture, and other. what’s more, might you wish for something special and unique, we are ready to bring your idea to life and create a custom-made product.

the highest quality materials, an aesthetic design and attention to detail result in outstanding, hard to miss products. Company’s production is environmentally friendly, made from sustainable forest norway spruce (picea abies), and yet solid, tenacious and durable.

established in 1993 in anykščiai district, GaLanIs has manufactured over 100.000 units, which were sold

to satisfied customers all over europe, Usa, australia, Japan and elsewhere. our team consists of professional designers, engineers and more than 50 craftsmen, who would be happy to help your dream to come true.

manufacturing

www.galanis.lt

ouTdoor wood producTS

30 |

www.selteka.lt

manufacturing

rivate Company selteka UAB is the largest manufacturer of elec-tronic goods in the sphere of tV in eastern europe and one of the oldest manufacturers and sellers

of electronics in Lithuania. the Company expands its export markets successfully and exports its products to Latvia, Germa-ny, finland, Italy, Portugal, Holland, den-mark and Belarus. the Company provides digital television solutions, ems services, oem analogue and digital tV, Led lights production and assemblage services ac-cording to the customer’s needs. a modern production enterprise famous for its inno-vative production technologies and a re-sponsible attitude towards the quality of its products completed the year successfully by winning the award “successfully operat-ing Company” in the competition organised by the Confederation of Industrialists.

selteka UAB constantly invests in new tech-nological equipment. In 2012-2013, more than 2,5 million litas was invested in the development of technologies. In 2013, after the Company had received financial assis-

tance from the agency for science, Innovation and technology and the euro-pean Union, it successfully completed implementing the project according to the implementation meas-ure Inočekiai Lt. In the course of the project, in cooperation with Kaunas technological University, a software module of meas-uring real-time digital tV auditorium was created.

selteka follows the philosophy of socially responsible business therefore it seeks to ensure harmony between the market, envi-ronmental protection and social groups of interest in the electronic goods manufac-turing process. the Company pays great at-tention to assuring a safe and efficient pro-duction process therefore it takes pains to renovate its premises and introduces inno-vative solutions enabling the amount of en-ergy consumed to be reduced. at the pre-sent time the Company has developed new

TECHNOLOGY AND SOLUTIONS

projects according to which it is going to manufacture intellectual lighting manage-ment systems to be used both in everyday life and at work.

Burbuliukas ir CO is a dynamic, as well as rapidly growing and develo-ping, company established in 1995. The main sphere of activity of the Company is to manufacture products for the people who want to lead a healthy way of life.Ionized water produced from water ionizers naturally boosts vital energy of the body and if used daily helps to maintain complete harmony between the body and health.The Company manufactures water ionizers PTV and ionizers AQUATOR of two modifications. The appliances are patented and are issued certificates. The devices are made from eco-friendly materials that are free of dangerous elements. We are unique in the world because our water ionizer produces three different kinds of water: alkaline, aced and silver. Our Company offers exceptionally high-quality products, which have been appreciated not only in Lithuania but also all over the world.

Water ionizer PTV reaches maximum 10.4 pH and -915 ORP

Water ionizer AQUATOR reaches maximum 11.4 pH and -915 ORP

The Company has ISO:9001 quality management system

32 |

manufacturing

ANYKŠČIŲ VARIS, U A B

is the only welding electrode factory in Lithuania and the Baltic states. the Company produces 200-250 tons of welding electrodes monthly. at the beginning weld-ing electrodes for industry, construction and agriculture using ano-4 UonI-13/55 brands were produced, and in the past years new european standards of electrodes aV-31, aV-21, aV-23, aV- 61, aV-66, as well as various types of special electrodes-stainless steel, cast iron, aluminium, hardfacing have been applied. Beside welding electrodes, anyKščIų VaRIs offers to purchase copper coated welding wire sG2/eR70s-6 for mIG/maG welding.

the Company expands sales in Lithuania, Latvia, estonia, fin-land, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia , Romania and other markets.

the company cooperates with raw material suppliers from Ukraine, Russia, Germany, switzerland, france, Poland, India and other countries. much attention is paid to control and selection of raw materials used for production. It is a must for raw materials to meet international standards.

Great attention is devoted to product quality assurance in all technological chains. the Company operates three labo-ratories equipped with modern equipment which enables us to perform introductory raw material and final product con-trol. materials dosing, electrode pressing and drying opera-tions are controlled by a computerized bar control system. technological service continuously monitors and controls the accuracy and quality of the whole process. In the Company operates quality management system based on Iso-9002. anyKščIų VaRIs products are certified by tUV, Bureau Veri-tas, Russian maritime Register of shipping (PC), the Russian agency naKs certificates. the technical supervisory author-ity has accepted part of the products suitable for use in po-tentially hazardous equipment for welding and repairs.

We offer our customers a variety of product packaging op-tions for a flexible billing and travel. anyKščIų VaRIs, UAB specialists are always ready to provide detailed information on the characteristics of welding electrode technology and other characteristics. anyKščIų VaRIs welding electrodes are well known in the markets. the superior quality makes our products competitive in european and other markets. www.varis.lt

excellent

32 |

welding electrode manufacturer

We asPire to be aN

| 33

more about the artist egidijus rudiskas on page 70.

Journey from Kaunas to Urbino and back II. Etching, ink drawing; 80x60 cm

Art

34 |

Regional leader in GLASS BUSINESS

A pprox. 75 percent of the Com-pany’s products are exported to the netherlands, Belgium, den-mark, finland, sweden, norway,

Czech Republic, Germany, Russia, Belarus, estonia, Latvia. In 2011, the Company was granted the „export award” of the Lithua-nian Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts for the results achieved in the field of export.

temPeRed GLass

flat tempered glass offered by Guartis AB has mechanical resistance which is 5-7 times higher than that of annealed glass of the same thickness. due to these qualities it is intended for glass parts in buildings, fur-niture, interior parts, household appliances where safety is particularly important.

during the initial phase of production glass is processed mechanically (cut, holes are drilled, the edges are processed, silk-print is put, etc.) and only after that it is put into a tempering furnace to gain resistance to im-pact and high temperature.

Glass sheets can be tested in the Heat soak chamber, which eliminates spontaneous cracking.

Office house in Kijev (customer - Zavod Steklopaketov i Architekturnogo Stekla)

manufacturing

Guartis AB has been counting its history since 1965 after sheet glass production started. The story of the Company's development proves it to be an experienced producer that satis-fies the market demands and requirements. The Company's production process meets ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 requirements and all products meet European regulations. The quality was evaluated by “National quality award” received in December 2011.

34 |

| 35

Bullet-proof glass is produced by joining some glass sheets by means of PVB foil and then treating such glass units thermally. Guartis AB has experience of producing bul-let-proof glass of different thickness.

Bent LamInated GLass foR VeHICLes

the Company produces serial windscreens but the main focus is placed on special pro-jects for glass for different land and water transport. the Company’s experience of manufacturing bent laminated articles is more than 20 years.

www.guartisglass.lt

Arena house in Šiauliai (customer - PST)

Lithuanian Museum of Ethnocosmology in Molėtai (customer - Hrono fasadai)

LamInated temPeRed fLat GLass

depending on the assumed field of applica-tion and function of laminated glass offered by Guartis AB, it is composed of at least two panes of glass joined either by eVasafe (ethyl-vinyl-acetyl) film or PVB foil.

Laminated glass is highly resistan to impact due to foil placed between the panes - sepa-ration of the pane in the event of breakage is impossible, thus minimising the risk of in-jury. Combining different types of foils and glass makes construction material safe in the places where safety both of human and property are of high importance. Laminated glass also offers a wide range of decoration possibilities.

InsULatInG GLass UnIts

the ability to join different types of glass into an insulating glass unit enables many different products with different features to be manufactured. Insulating glass units could be applied where it is necessary to en-sure security of people and objects (lamina-ted glass, laminated safety glass, strengthe-ned glass, bullet-proof or fireproof glass can be completed into IGU), thermal protection (low-emission glass and noble gas (argon) filling in one or two chambers ensures ener-gy saving and lower costs of heating rooms in winter and cooling them in summer), pro-tection against solar radiation.

In 2002, the Company was granted a certifi-cate of Company dow Corning that proves that Guartis AB has technical possibilities, as well as skills, to produce insulating glass units for structural glazing. Guartis AB pro-duces a number of special products – bul-let-proof glass and bent laminated glass for vehicles.

BULLet-PRoof fLat GLass

It is highly important to ensure safety of property and people against armed robbery in public offices, banks, shops, flats and vehicles. In those places bullet-proof glass plays a very significant role in protecting people in different conditions againts bul-lets of a gun.

CLeaR GLass ContaIneRs and JaRs

Besides a wide range of the above men- tioned glass products, Guartis AB offers the most advanced flint glass packaging solu-tions. the Company relies on many years of its international manufacturing experience of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage bottles and jars.

36 |

www.rifas.lt

During 22 years of striving for perfection RIfas has built the reputation of a reliable and professional partner.

Long years of working with engineering and system integration companies from scandinavia, Germany, france, Russia, Brazil and other countries testify to the company’s ability to play the global market by ensuring excellent quality, timely delive-ry, and professional project management.

today we are proud of our products: control and automation, distribution pa-nels, variable frequency drives, automatic capacitor banks and transformer substa-tions can be found worldwide in marine

and offshore industry and construction, oil and gas, as well as renewable energy sectors. a lot of people in Lithuania can feel a positive impact on the surroundings thanks to modern waste-water treatment plants operating with automation and po-wer control solutions developed and deli-vered by RIfas.

Constant attention to and deep understan-ding of our customers and partners needs allow RIfas to devise future plans and seek for our long-term goal – to become a world-known company. timely deliveries, compe-tence in project management, continuous development of business processes and proximity to partners are our main compe-titive advantages.

manufacturing

RIFAS UAB – electrical panel building company, operating since 1991

Professional electrotechnical solutions

36 |

| 37

38 |

, ab the producer

of mineral fertilisers established in Kėdainiai, commemorated its 50th anniversary in 2013.

the Company produces diammonium phos-phate fertilisers, forage phosphates, alu-minium fluoride, extraction phosphate acid and technical sulphuric acid. In 2013, our production reached 38 countries in four continents: europe, asia, america and af-rica. the farmers choose the production of LIfosa due to its extremely high quality.

“In order to meet the quantitative and quali-tative demands of the buyers, it is necessary to plan the activity. the businessman has to know his future actions several years for-ward”, says the Company’s director General Jonas dastikas. “the success is determined by a correctly chosen strategy and timely in-vestments. Let me give you one example: 3 years ago we invested more than 50 million litas into the new forage phosphate produc-tion line. today, we produce 150 thousand tons of this product annually. the prices of phosphate fertilisers have been dropping for the second year now, whereas the exten-sive production and sale of our other prod-uct, i.e., the forage phosphates, allows for the significant reduction of losses: thus, the investment served its purpose”.

each year, LIfosa AB invests millions of litas into new technologies, improvement of workplaces and protection of environ-

Business is a partner of an active society

ment. In 2013, the Company’s investment “crossed the factory’s boundaries”. the construction of sports and leisure complex Kėdainiai arena was completed in august (the construction works started in may 2012). at the end of summer, the residents were given a present worth more than 20 million litas, where they can enjoy sports and other leisure events. Having built the Kėdainiai arena with its own funds, the fac-tory handed it over to the Kėdainiai district municipality. “It is our way to express ap-preciation to the society for its coopera-tion”, says LIfosa director General. “It would be unfair to enjoy our success alone. We live and work together, therefore, we feel obliged to meet the expectations of Kėdainiai residents. Business must be a partner of an active society”.

www.lifosa.com

Lifosa

The opening of Kedainiai Arena was celebrated by the whole community of Kedainiai town.

Kedainiai Arena, a multifunctional sports and leisure complex, was built in 14 months

40 |

Art to invoke nAtureWe, lithuanian capital company ruvera UAB, which has been operating for over 20 years, are producer and exporter of cosmetics, medicinal products, animal healthcare products, disinfectants and liquid supplements. Alongside production we engage in the distribution of goods that we manufacture or import.

manuFacturing

sPeCIaLIzatIon

the art of invoking nature is our main idea and challenge – bringing the secrets of na-ture and results of scientific research to-gether. during ten years of work with herbal extracts and essential oils we have realized that the greatest secrets lie in nature and that it is a real joy, art and passion to get to know those secrets. We are happy to know how to invoke nature and we share the result with our customers.

In carrying out our activities we specialize in manufacturing various non-sterile pro-ducts – semisolid (ointments, creams, gels, liniments) and liquid preparations. We are completely responsible for the entire cycle: preparation of documentation, analyses, development of the formula and produc-tion technology, production of test batches, selection of quality control methods and a complete preparation of the product for batch production and sale.

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the following two main development trends give a meaning to our activities:• InoBIo anImaLIs are preparations and

medicinal products for professional use only (for cattle, pets and horses). Various ointments, medicinal products, creams, gels, liquid feed supplements, shampoos, solutions, lotions, diagnos-ticums and disinfectants for veterinary purposes are produced under this trademark.

• InoBIo HUmanICa are preparations for human beings for external use only (ointments, gels, creams) containing bi-ologically active natural ingredients that help to solve problems related to various diseases or disorders. all products are made using herbal extracts and essen-tial oils, the effect of which is scientifi-cally proven.

CooPeRatIon

We cooperate closely with Lithuanian Uni-versity of Health sciences and its scientists: we realized and commercialized their ideas. extensive use of R&d services enables us to develop new technologies success- fully and adapt them to the manufacture of unique high quality products, which often become market leaders in their category.

Considerable experience of creative work and cooperation with researchers and customers helps orders of contract pro-duction to be fulfilled effectively and wi-

thout delay and products of the most inno- vative composition to be developed. as a result of this cooperation our products have been awarded a gold medal in the exhibition in Poland and the preparations for dairy cow hygiene are one of the most popular in Ireland. the main achievement of this cooperation is that our Compa-ny has won the trust of our partners in 19 countries in europe, eurasia and the middle east.

to extend our potential and take up new challenges, we participate in special exhi-bitions held in Germany, the netherlands and Great Britain on a regular basis.

PRodUCtIon

on average, we develop and launch up to 10 new products a year. We were the first in the Baltic region and still are the only one Company in Lithuania to implement the european Union requirements for manu- facturing veterinary medicinal products. since 2005 the entire manufacturing has been certified according to the stan-dards of quality management system Iso 9001:2009 and environmental manage-ment system Iso 14000:2009.

We are 100% responsible for what we create; therefore, prior to putting any new product on the market, we carry out regular tests at our production laboratory as well as perform dermatological tests at the certi-fied international laboratories.

during the past five years we have invested a lot into the manufacture of products that we have developed. at the present time there are three production departments for manufacturing semisolid and liquid pro-ducts. Production volume has increased by as much as 50%-70% during the three recent years. Currently we are thinking of making considerable investments into de-veloping the Company’s capacity within the next five years.

www.inobio.com

www.inobio.com

InOBIO AnIMALIS

InOBIO HUMAnICA

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manuFacturing

Packaging is the first thing to catch the buyer’s glance

most probably any buyer will say that

among the abundance of goods, packaging of a

commodity is the first thing to attract the buyer’s glance. if it is

convenient, attractive and modern, there is a great possibility that your production will be a success.

tŪB technopakas is good help to every manufacturer or salesman offering both traditional and non-traditional variants of product packaging.

according to mečislavas mikelionis, direc-tor of the enterprise, since the beginning of the existence of the enterprise more than thousand pieces of packaging of different design have been created. It is the creation of individual packaging that is considered to be the priority of the enterprise’s activity at the present time. according to manufacture of individual packaging the enterprise has 70-80 per cent share of the Lithuanian mar-ket. and what is more, the enterprise seeks to become the leading one in the region in manufacture of plastic packaging, especially in fulfilling individual orders. the manufac-turers turn their attention to the markets of their potential partners in Germany, Holland, Belgium, sweden and neighbouring Poland.

MARKet leAdeR AccoRdINg to StANdARd oRdeRS

the largest part of the production of the Company – cake boxes, various plastic box-

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es, single-use packaging for products are widely used in food industry. the Company can offer more than 300 different packaging models.

the share of the production of the Company is half the Lithuanian market of manufactur-ing standard packaging. Hence, the manu-facturer is undoubtedly well-known and rec-ognised by the food enterprises and trading centres of our country.

In Lithuania technopakas works together with the following most famous manufac-turers of the country: mondelez europe Procurement GmbH, Rūta, Vilniaus Pergalė, Plungės kooperatinė prekyba, famous con-fectionary factories in Latvia; it also exports its products to the following foreign coun-tries: Cyprus, slovakia, sweden, and Great Britain. Relations are maintained with the partners in Holland, Germany and Belgium.

PAcKAgINg IS RecYcled

the Company manufactures packaging for food and non-food industry from transpar-ent or colour Pet, RPet, aPet, oPs and PP film. a wide choice of materials satisfies the customer’s taste: some raw materials are cheaper, whereas others are more expen-

sive but have other necessary properties. It depends on what product the customer has chosen.

In the majority of european countries it is customary to mark packaging with a spe-cial ecological label that complies with the international requirements; it shows that the product is of a high environmental lev-el and confirms participation in the waste management system, indicates nature of the materials the packaging has been made of. the products of technopakas are made from ecological raw materials, which can be recycled.

the Company feels obliged not to pollute the environment therefore it passes wastes that are not dangerous over to an enterprise engaged in classifying and managing wastes for them to be further recycled.

the 20th ANNIVeRSARY wAS celebRAted

technopakas celebrated the 20th anni-versary of its activities this year. In 1993, three young and ambitious men founded technopakas seeking to produce inserts for chocolates. With the passing of time the as-sortment of packaging being manufactured

increased, and the number of orders grew. since the first day of the existence of the Company they all have been united by a sin-gle aim – to present top quality packaging to the customer adapted for an individual product.

In 2000, another enterprise technoforma, which engaged in metalworking and manu-facture of moulds was set up. this enables technopakas to be faster, more flexible and superior in carrying out new projects.

In 2001, Company technoplast was found-ed in Belarus. this company manufactures plastic packaging for Belarusian and Russian markets. the assortment of technoplast is as wide as that of technopakas. main cus-tomers of the Company are sweet and deli-cacy factories and trade networks of Belarus and Russia. technoplast can also carry out individual packaging projects.

www.technopakas.lt

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manufacturing

is a family business, offering customers

linen products created and manufactured in Lithuania that are unique in their ecological characteristics, design and use.

Fall in love with linen, like we did!

Lino stiLius

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www.linostilius.lt

the Company’s activity is linen clothes, accessories and home textiles production, realization of the goods inside the country, as well as international sales. main export markets are the United states of america, Canada, Japan, australia, norway, Italy and spain.

We love linen and we have a “relationship” with it by working in linen production industry for over 30 years, hence in 2011 we established a distinctive style store where we present our ideas and designs.

our purpose is to link deep-rooted, centuries-old traditions of flax industry and modern technology, to change the attitude towards linen as wrinkly and coarse fabric.

Linen properties combine a national tradition and innovation, excellent hygienic, antiallergic, antiseptic and antistatic features and practicality. Linen is durable, environmentally friendly and bio-degradable product.

We offer not only traditional but also washed and softened fabric, and the products made thereof have even better hygienic characteristics, are pleasant to the body, do not require ironing after washing.

the folowing are main product groups:• Linen fabrics• Linen home textiles• Linen clothes and accessories

Please, note that we accept individual orders also, deliver our goods in Lithuania and aboard.

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quality, services, reliability

LiEtuvos rytas printing housE:

socially responsible enterprise

the conclusions of the social audit carried out by the international company Intertek according to the sedex smeta method at the end of January 2011 state that the Lietuvos rytas Printing House meets all most important requirements in the field of labor rights and work organization, safety and health at work and in the sphere of environmental protection.

the lietuvos rytas printing house is the largest printing house in lithuania and the baltic states, and an important enterprise in central europe.

established in 1994 the lietuvos rytas printing house started its activities with printing newspapers and gradually it grew in accordance with the needs of the market. in almost twenty years of functioning the company earned its customers trust. at the present time over 100 titles of magazines, 50 titles of newspapers, retail publications and other kinds of production are printed there. the authorities of the enterprise pursue the policy of constant investment in new technologies.

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service

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print.lrytas.lt

skaidiškės plant – coMMercial web

High quality magazines, brochures, catalogues, newspapers of trading centers are printed there. Printing facilities are assembled on the “back up” principle. this ensures the fulfillment of any order. equipmentCommercial web (HsWo): > Heidelberg m600: 16 pages. Cut off 630 mm / gluing in line 6/8/12/16/ 24 pages> man-Rotoman– 16 pages. Cut off 630 mm/ gluing in line 8/12/16 pages> Goss m600C - 16 pages. Cut off 625 mmsheet fed:> Heidelberg Cd 720 × 1020 / 6+L / dry star / Cut star> Heidelberg Cd 720 × 1020 /6+L finishingPerfect binding – 2 lines, 15+1 gathering sectionsstitching - 3 lines, up to 10 gathering sectionsUV coatingsingle copy wrapping

export

export accounts for about 45 per cent of the production being manufactured. Lietuvos Rytas Printing House has customers in Russia, Belarus, Latvia, estonia, sweden, norway, denmark, Germany, Holland, Italy, Czech Republic and other countries.

production

the prepress and quality management divisions operate in the Printing House. the Printing House is divided into two manufacturing enterprises according to printing technologies.

VieVis printing plant – cold set

a new newspaper printing plant covering an area of more than 12 thousand square meters started its activities in Vievis in 2008. the printing machine man- Roland consisting of 3 towers Regioman and 1 tower Geoman is mounted there. full color newspapers – tabloid and broadsheet consisting of up to 64 pages in one pass are printed in 75 000 copies per hour.the newspaper completing line ferag aG, an eight-section insert line (up to 8 inserts), one drum; a stitching in-line and off-line, as well as single wrapping in plastic operate in the Printing House. at the present time the Vievis plant co-operates with local publishers and expands relations with business partners all over europe, customers in the european Union, the Baltic states, Russia and Belarus.

deliVery

Production to the scandinavian countries is delivered as follows: shipped on tuesday – delivered on thursday/friday (depending on the region); shipped on friday – delivered monday/tuesday (depending on the region).

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48 |

reliable and innovative

PakMarkasprivate company pakmarkas uab is one of the largest and most modern packaging and labelling companies in the Baltic States. this is one of the few business entities in lithuania that employs eco-friendly technologies in the manufacturing process and relies on the global Social accountability Standard Sa 8000 when it comes to labour relations.

KeePInG aBReast of CUstomeRs’ CHanGInG needs

since the beginning of its establishment the key activity of the successfully operating company has been production of adhesive and shrink-sleeve labels, flexographic print-

ing. It can be said with confidence that the history of the Company grew along with a number of food, beverage, automotive and household chemical manufacturers. a good understanding of customers’ needs is one of the factors determining a successful de-velopment of the Company. today Pakmar-

kas is known as a reliable partner abiding by agreements; therefore, its customers are sure that their projects will always be imple-mented on time and effectively. Customers’ confidence that the Company has deserved is the best evaluation of efficiently organized activities.

service

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2012 and 2013 Pakmarkas invested nearly eUR 2 million in upgrading adhesive label printing software and automated production planning. new investments have contributed to expanding the product range, i.e. at pre-sent the Company is able to offer its cus-tomers more innovative design solutions for luxury beverage and stylish cosmetics pack-aging. In the spring of 2014, the Company plans to complete the installation of a com-puterized production management program, which will lead to increased productivity and guarantee better raw material traceability.

oPen to InnoVatIons and CHaLLenGes

Pakmarkas has become the first label-man-ufacturer in the Baltic states, which intro-duced wash-off transparent adhesive labels for all refundable glass bottles into the mar-ket in 2012. due to carefully selected and balanced raw ingredients, such labels are washed off much easier than paper ones, and are designed for conventional bottle washing machines. the wash-off labels are of exceptional design: due to transparency of material the image looks as if it was paint-ed directly on a bottle, and the edges of the label are skilfully hidden. the largest Lithu-anian breweries were the first to test and positively evaluate these transparent wash-off labels.

BRIGHt fUtURe PeRsPeCtIVe

over the past uneasy years the Company was able to adapt itself to changing market conditions and promote its further growth:

in 2011 the Company’s income amounted to eUR 15 million, in 2012 this figure stood at eUR 17 million, and in 2013 the Compa-ny plans to increase its turnover to eUR 19 million.

a steady supply of products and honesty has earned Pakmarkas the name of a reli-able partner among foreign customers in Western and eastern europe. By increasing production volumes the Company aims at expanding the geography of exports through new customers in Germany, Great Britain, scandinavia and other countries.

soCIaLLy ResPonsIBLe ComPany

the Company’s daily activities are based on the principles of social responsibility, i.e. when making business decisions the Com-pany takes the employees and the commu-nity’s interests into account, as well as as-sesses their positive and negative impact on the environment. the Company has received a number of national awards for its respon-sible attitude to business. In 2012, Pakmar-kas was awarded top Workplace of the year having ensured much more favourable eco-nomic conditions for its employees than it is required by legal acts. this is a contribution of the whole team of the Company to overall success.

www.pakmarkas.lt

enHanCement tHRoUGH sUstaInaBLe InVestments

Continuous investments in the moderniza-tion of production and new product develop-ment help the Company hold its position in the Baltic region. during the period between

50 |

s aurida group is a viable and dynami-cally growing Lithuanian capital com-pany. the main sphere of saURIda

UAB activities is wholesale and retail trade in oil products. saURIda oIL&Gas operates a network of 32 fuel stations in Lithuania.

saURIda oIL&Gas owns two largest house-hold and industrial gas cylinder filling bases in Lithuania. extremely safe gas cylinders are perfectly suitable for use in industry and household.

By monitoring changes in the market and a growing demand in other business areas, the Company has founded the following

independent companies, which belong to saURIda GRoUP:• ENHYDRIS engaged in recovery and rege-

neration of oil product waste.• SAURIDA WOOD - solid bio-fuels production

and trade.• SAURIDA LOGISTICS involved in local and

international freight transportation.

to produce the highest quality products, the Company is investing in state-of-the-art production technologies and equipment. top quality products and services are highly rated not only in Lithuania but also abroad. the larg-est part of the Company’s products and ser-vices is exported to other european countries.

we develop business by monitoring the demandsaurida:

www.saurida.lt

WOOD EcOnOmy

Extremely safe and comfortable industrial and household gas cylinders

Safe and reliable transportation of all kinds of oil and chemistry products, liquid and bulk freights

100 % wood sawdust briquettes. Each pallet contains 96 polyethylene bags.

100 % wood pellets for biomass fuel. (1000 kg/Big bag)

100 % birch firewood in net bag (40 liters/15 kg).100 % birch firewood in polyethylene bag (20 liters/10 kg).

100 % birch logs stacked in wooden crates (1,96 m3)

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eing in business for more than 18 years, adamPoLIs today is one of the major companies of heavy duty vehicle trade, hire and maintenance.

adamPoLIs began its activities by provid-ing the truck maintenance services, but in a long run has not only become the official representative of man truck & Bus aG in Lithuania (2005), but also has consolidat-ed its positions both in the heavy duty ve-hicle maintenance and service, and supply of spare parts.

Currently the company has over 2000 cus-tomers, and renders services at 5 service centres (in Vilnius, marijampolė, Kaunas, Klaipėda and šiauliai) and in the network with 7 spare part stores in the same towns as well Panevėžys and Utena. the compa-ny’s service network alone employs over 130 qualified members of staff.

adamPoLIs, a partner to one of the ma-jor european truck manufacturers, has adopted man standards and applies them in daily operations, has a training centre for rising competence of the staff as well. the service network also serves the trucks of other manufacturers – especially strong is marijampolė service center, situated on the international highway of Via Baltica.

In view of its customer requests, the ser-vice network applies the one-stop service concept therefore customers can repair not only trucks but also trailers and semi-trailers. Currently, the company services Wielton, scmitz, Krone, Koegel, Lamberet

and fliegl, and also vehicles with saf and BPW axles.

adamPoLIs spare parts centre offering the range of over 50 000 components is one of the largest in Lithuania, and en-sures the supply of components not only for the legal companies of Lithuania, but also those in the neighbouring countries. Its main represented brands include man, fleetguard, Wabco, and frasle.

www.adampolis.lt

aDampOLis – yOur partnEr OF hEaVy Duty VEhicLE

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transportation

52 |

d Rem tRansPoRt provides internatio- nal and domestic freight forwarding

services and is one of the leading logistics’ companies in Lithuania. the Company provides services ranging from personal goods to the oversized shipments around the world. Road transporta-tion is the most extensive line of business, which includes in-ternational transportation and freight forwarding services. darius Brekys, ad Rem tRansPoRt Cirector, thinks that multi-skilled and experienced Company‘s managers are building a strong bridge be-tween europe and the CIs countries.

the Company is strategically located in a convenient location close to the highway of Vilnius-minsk-moscow and is only 32 kilo-meters away from the eastern border of the eU. also, situated next to the import - export terminal, having good connection to the railway line and railway cooperation with the Lithuanian and Latvian railway companies helps effectively plan and en-sure the highest level of freight rail lines.

Besides, ad Rem tRansPoRt is located near Vilnius International airport which guarantees fast air freight, which the Com-pany has been providing for more than ten

service

www.adrem.lt

AD REM TRANSPORT: close to the world, close to you

Less than a year ago, AD REM TRANSPORT

separated from the AD REM GROUP network

and has won significant “Transport and Logistics

2012” award.

The Company received the award for being the

most promising logistics’ company in 2013.

daRIUs BReKys, director of ad Rem tRansPoRt

years. also, the Company is involved in sea cargo transportation services, and ensures shipments from a terminal to a terminal or door-to-door. during the past seven years, the Company has done many successful international removal services to 45 coun-tries around the world, including simple and diplomatic removals.

It’s important that the Company is a mem-ber of various associations (Lithuanian na-tional Road Carriers’ association LInaVa, Lithuanian national freight forwarding association LIneKa, Lithuanian Logistics association LLa, fIata, Iata and others.) which ensures continuous and profession-al development of employees. experience of the employees of the Company guaran-tees the highest quality service, reasona-ble prices and undivided attention to each customer.

52 |

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54 |54 |

DotnUVos ProJektaI –from small business to an international company

T hus, the market demand for high quality products, as well as the location, dictated that the main activities of dotnuvos projektai UAB established in 1996 include

seed reproduction, processing and sales, trade in new and second hand agricultural machinery, grain storage and drying equipment, and spare parts supply.

dotnuvos projektai UAB started with 5 employees and the turnover of the first year was 0,6 million eUR. today the Company has 4 regional sales

offices covering all Lithuania, they are closer to the farmer and provide the latter with service, supply and consultations. It managed to grow from small business into an international company - since 2010, it has been running 2 subsidiary companies in Latvia and estonia engaging a total of 240 employees. the main worldwide agricultural machinery and equipment producers - Case IH (Usa), Kverneland (norway), Cimbria (denmark) trusted the Company granting it representation rights also in Latvia and estonia. thus, dotnuvos projektai strengthened its activities in the neighbouring countries.

service

For many years, Dotnuva has been famous for seed growing traditions.

| 55| 55

the turnover of dotnuvos projektai is increasing with every year: 43.8 million eUR in 2010, 55.8 million eUR in 2011, 66.0 million eUR in 2012. the „Lion share“ makes sales of agricultural machinery, a significant input comes from certified seed sales, as well as from grain storage and drying equipment. annually the Company sells up to 12 thousand tons of seeds, up to 900 pieces of agricultural machinery, installs 20-25 grain storages.

Considering the turnover of the 1st Quarter of 2013 we can state that it is exceeding our expectations- it shows the growth of sales and the year seems to be promising. sales of agricultural produce strongly depend on eU support, farmers‘ income, well known brands, input on the market and skilful staff.

dotnuvos projektai is proud to be the main and the most reliable partner to the most innovative and modern farms not only in Lithuania but also in Latvia and estonia.

www.dotnuvosprojektai.lt

L A T V I A

E S T O N I A

L I T H U A N I A

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lithuanian Company Birštono minerAliniAi vAndenys ir ko, which has many years of unrivalled experience, is an official supporter of lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the european union. Birštono minerAliniAi vAndenys with vytAutAs trade mark is an inseparable part of the history of lithuania.

IRštono mIneRaLInIaI Vandenys is the first bottled water company in Lithuania. In 2014, it will celebrate its 90th jubilee. Hence, it is not surprising that at the event of great significance to Lithuania – the

Presidency of the Council of the european Union – Birštono mineraliniai vandenys ir Ko took the oppor-tunity to leave another imprint in the history of Lithu-ania in adequately representing the state.

FOOD industry

Mineral water is an inseparable part of Lithuania’s history

vytautas and Akvilė were official mineral water of the European Basketball Championship EuroBasket 2011 held in Lithuania

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“Presidency is one of the most significant events in the history of Lithuania. We wanted to contribute to it substantially, to go down in history and welcome our 90th anniversary in the proper way. We feel proud that the ministry of foreign affairs of the Republic of Lithu-ania found our products perfectly suitable for high-lev-el events. It is an especially important appreciation for us. In our turn, we are happy being able to be Lithu-anian partners and to provide such important assis-tance to the needs of the Presidency both in Lithuania and the european Parliament in Belgium”, said direc-tor General of the Company Valentinas Lukoševičius. Participants in the Presidency events hosted by Lith-uania and its foreign guests could appreciate the Company’s production and they surely did not get disappointed in it because this is water of excellent quality and of perfectly-balanced mineral composi-tion. It should be noted that the Company constantly increases export volumes in the direction of both the european Union and the east. more than 15 per cent of a total production of the Company is sold to the member states of the european Union.

extRaCted In tHe ReseRVe

Production of BIRštono mIneRaLInIaI Vandenys IR Ko is extracted in the nemunas Loop Regional Park in Birštonas covering an area of 25 thousand ha and protected by the state. Industrial and any other eco-nomic activity, which can do harm to the harmony of nature, is banned in that territory. attempts are made to preserve intact nature and all its gifts in the nemunas Loop Regional Park. Underground waters that have formed in the course of millions of years reach the customers as they had been created by nature, unchanged, and straight from the well. Wells of highly mineralised water VytaUtas and BIRUtė, water of average mineralization, are found in the 100-million-year-old cretaceous strata at a depth of 125 metres. a well of natural mineral water aKVILė is found in the rock quartet of up to 100 million years at a depth of 50 metres. these are best-known trade marks of the Company.

VytaUtas Is tHe most PoPULaR

natural mineral water supplements the daily food al-lowance of an individual with naturally dissolved min-erals, which help reduce stress, give strength and im-prove a person’s general condition. VytaUtas is natural mineral water containing the largest amount of minerals in the Baltic states there-fore it is especially useful. minerals perform extreme-ly important tasks in a human organism: they ensure that all functions of metabolism should be carried out faultlessly; regulate balance between water and ac-ids; take part in transmitting impulses to the nerves; coordinate muscle activity and relaxation. a total con-centration of the dissolved substances in VytaUtas mineral water amounts to 7309mg/l.this product has won numerous awards. It was

www.bmv.lt www.vytautas.eu

President of the republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė.

During the sittings and meetings of Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2013 the officials could refresh themselves with carbonated mineral water vytautas and non-carbonated drinking water Akvilė.

awarded the gold medal at the competition Lithuani-an product of 2004 held by the Lithuanian Confedera-tion of Industrialists. In the category of mineral wa-ter Lithuanian consumers appreciate the Company’s production best. natural mineral water VytaUtas was recognised to be the most popular commodity three years in a row, from 2010 to 2012. this product became the most favourable product in the category of food products and beverages in Lithuania (in 2011 and 2012).

BotH medICIne and food

Useful minerals that are found in the composition of water strengthen immunity of a human organism and restore energy lost when exercising, sunbathing or sweating in the sauna, help improve the digestion process. minerals that are dissolved naturally are absorbed by the organism best. for example, when the organism lacks calcium bone fractures, tooth, nail, hair injuries, spasms, cramps, disorders of the heart rhythm occur more frequently. When the organ-ism lacks magnesium dizziness, heart palpitations, and a turn for muscle spasms might occur. When the amount of potassium decreases in the organism mus-cle weakness, a decrease in blood pressure, and car-diac disorders appear, the appetite is lost. sodium is needed to ensure that we should not feel weakness or muscle spasms. Chloride, together with sodium, regu-lates water balance in the organism, and also stimu-lates digestion. When our organism lacks chloride di-gestion disorders might occur. It is wrong to think that it is healthy to drink mineral water only in summer. It is especially useful, even rec-ommended, to drink mineral water in winter. When premises are heated our skin dries, the organism be-comes dehydrated. seeking to restore the balance of liquids one has to drink plenty of water. Highly miner-alised water supplements the organism with minerals, which we badly need during the cold season or when we are ill.

Phot

o: w

ww

.eur

o13.

lt

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FOOD industry

The delicious "ambassador" of LithuaniaVaIdas GRUdIs

Speaking about the product of the cheese makers of Žemaitijos pi-enas AB one can value it differ-ently – as a historical product that

has the name often found in legends that makes the country and its culture famous, as a unique recipe and the product that meets high quality requirements or hard cheese that is matured for an especially long period that has a high nutritional value and that suits even the people who do not

tolerate lactose, as well as vegetarians. al-so, as cheese that brings substantial eco-nomic benefit to the county. However, first and foremost, it is simply cheese having a distinctive pleasant taste and even a small piece of it when tasted leaves a piquant de-licious taste and flavour, light bitterness in your mouth and pleasantly cracks in subtle crystals of calcium salts...

due to unique patented technology and the original composition of ferment cultures this cheese does not lose its quality dur-ing the period of long maturing (from 12 to 48 months) and acquires exceptional quali-ties that are characteristic exclusively of it. the highest quality combined with origi-nal ideas of packing render exceptionality to cheese dŽIUGas, which is appreciated not only in its country but also abroad. the manufacturers believe that it is the whole of these features that determined the fact that dŽIUGas has become an inseparable part of Lithuania’s image, a peculiar am-bassador because it is often taken as a de-licious present to friends living in foreign countries, business partners, family mem-bers abroad.

legAl doPe

Cheese dŽIUGas is a highly nutritious, easily digested product that contains plen-ty of useful proteins, minerals, microele-ments and vitamins. Calcium is of great significance to a human body and matured hard cheese contains lots of it. If you eat as many grams of cheese dŽIUGas per day as your organism weighs, you will receive as much amino acids as it is necessary to maintain good health.

Cheese is produced from selected milk that smells of summer meadows and is obtained from local farms in which cows graze freely in the pastures surrounded by streams and hills of the Lowland. milk is cleaned, standardised to necessary fat-ness and pasteurized at the plant. Later it is fermented with the help of special cul-tures and enzymes of micro organisms of lactic acid. It is manufactured using mod-ern equipment therefore necessary con-sistency of cheese granules is obtained. following compressing cheese is salted in special basins, matured in chambers where necessary temperature and relative

58 |

Legendary, rich in original taste

and smell, useful, successful,

interestingly packed, the most

popular in Lithuania, the

“godson” of the President, and

even the country’s ambassador

abroad… All these and many

more epithets are used to

characterise one of the most

famous Lithuanian products,

hard cheese DŽIUGAS.

| 59

air humidity are maintained. during the entire production and maturing process the cheese is carefully watched by quali-fied cheese makers.

hoUSe of cheeSe dŽIUgAS

Recently a network of specialised shops of cheese dŽIUGas has contributed great-ly to making the cheese popular. In cosy small specialised shops cheese lovers are met by experienced sales girls who know everything about dŽIUGas and gourmet trimmings and who offer their customers to taste cheese of different maturity, a nice cup of coffee, piquant sweets, cakes, spreads, scones, new kinds of ice-cream with cheese dŽIUGas, nut treats that go well with dŽIUGas wine, propolis brandy… the greatest part of these products is ex-ceptional because cheese dŽIUGas is used in all of them.

this year a new shop opened its door in telšiai, and this is the sixth house of cheese dŽIUGas in Lithuania. as many as four of them are located in Vilnius, one house is opened in Klaipėda. they are also opened in Riga and st. Petersburg. they are being created in other cities of eu-rope too. the house of cheese dŽIUGas in telšiai is as though a symbolic tribute to the legendary giant džiugas, the found-er of the town. this house is situated on the picturesque bank of Lake mastis, it is more spacious than houses in other plac-es therefore it opens up greater possibili-ties for new activities: tasting, education, stories about the history of Žemaitijos pi-enas AB and cheese dŽIUGas.

In October 2013, President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė extended congratulations to German Chancellor Angela Merkel on winning the Bundestag election and presented her with the Lithuanian cheese Džiugas.Dalia Grybauskaitė pointed out that Lithuanian-made cheese was well-known and appreciated all over Europe. As she accepted the gift, Angela Merkel said that she supported Lithuania and liked Lithuanian cheese.

The first house of DŽIUGAS in Telšiai

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President of the republic of Lithuania valdas Adamkus (second from left) and his wife Alma (second from right) are marking the cheese in Telšiai in 2010.Due to solid image and recognition abroad His Excellency President valdas Adamkus and Mrs. Alma Adamkienė are godparents of the cheese.

AbundAnT AwArds

2013 – Gold medal at the International

Exhibition of Food Products PrOdEKsPO,

Moscow.

2013 – The Most popular Lithuania Product

in 2012.

2013 – Two stars at the superior Taste

Awards 2013, International Taste and Quality

Institute (iTQi), brussels, belgium.

2013 – diploma sIAL Innovation Grand Prix,

at international Exhibition of Food Products

sIAL CHInA, shanghai.

2013 – Gold, silver and the bradburys

awards at the „International cheese awards“,

nantwich, uK.

2013 – Top Innovations of AnuGA 2013

Taste13, souvenir box cheese dŽIuGAs,

AnuGA 2013, Cologne, Germany.

2013 – Gold medal at the exhibition „world

Food“ 2013, Kiev, ukraine.

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royAl BirštonAs – a Resort for Health,

Wellness and Harmony

The treatment facilities of the “Tulpės” sanatorium were established in 1927

"Birštonas Jazz" - the international biannual jazz festival for exclusive music lovers

It is one of Lithuania’s oldest and most beautiful balneological resorts, famous for its royal roots. Resort

treatment is considered to have begun in Birštonas in 1846, so it is the place that has long been endowed with natu-ral resources: gushing mineral water springs, therapeutic mud, clean air and salubrious climate. The resort prides it-self on its mineral water, which is rich in bromine and recognised and valued throughout Europe. Today Birštonas attracts visitors with its modern resort facilities, the Tulpė and Versmė health resorts, the Royal Residence Spa Ho-tel, an abundance of hospitable hotels and restaurants, exciting recreational activities and memorable events. For more than 30 years now, the resort has hosted the Birštonas International Jazz Festival, which is the oldest of its kind in Lithuania.

Birštonas is located in the centre of the country and is an ideal place for relaxation, harmonisation of body and soul, and a high quality lifestyle. Birštonas is the only town in Lithuania implementing the ECO-city project, and is developing a reputation of a “green” town, which maintains bal-ance with nature and contributes to the preservation of the ecosystem. It is a compact city of the future – one in which it is safe, pleasant to relax, and convenient to work and live.

Birštonas is inimitable with its unique, authentic nature and the bends of the Nemunas Loops

www.birstonas.lt

The resort is becoming more and more beautiful, especially with the restora-tion of its wooden architectural monu-ments: the Kurhaus and the Birštonas Tourist Information Centre. Lovely halls with good acoustics will host clas-sical and jazz concerts as well as art exhibitions. Then in July, when Lithu-ania begins to hold the Presidency of the EU Council, the new Birštono Eglė health resort will open its door to the holidaymakers and guests. It is with the operations of this health resort and the development of modern health and wellness services that the expecta-tions of the future and the evolution of Birštonas as a modern resort town are linked.

Now revamped, Birštonas is ready to compete in the international market of tourism and health services, which is why the special projects currently being implemented focus on the min-eral water galleries and the sea climate atmosphere that will only be available in Birštonas. It is our goal to position Birštonas as a modern, European-level royal resort.

Entertainment in mineral water

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wellness

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A SPIFLORU

We would like to present to you a unique series of honey and herbal teas where taste and a gentle herbal aroma are in a perfect match.These natural teas are of high quality andare distinguished by a wonderful harmony of taste.They are manufactured only from natural honeyof the highest quality and natural herbal extracts.

with Raspberries,Iceland moss and blossoms of Hibiscus

with Cinnamon and Ginger

with Peppermint

with Ginger

with Lemon balm

with Thyme

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www.rokiskio.com

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culture: history

Palace of the

Grand dukesThriving 400 years ago, 200 years ago destroyed — Palace of the grand dukes of lithuania in vilnius has finally opened its doors. A long-awaited openning of one of the most important objects in both lithuania and europe coincided with a significant event — beginning of the lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the european union.it seems to be not an accidental — history tends to repeat itself: from the 14th to the middle of the 17th century lithuanian rulers ruled the entire european region of this place — lithuania, Poland, sweden, livonia, Prussia, moldova, Belarus, ukraine, part of russia, Finland, and the envoys from turkey, Persia, spain, italy and many Central european countries were received in the Palace of the grand dukes of lithuania. today once again questions im-portant for the whole europe are addressed in the palace and hundreds of guests from a wide variety of countries around the world attend the palace every day.

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Phot

os: V

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ta a

bram

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as

RamUnė HazIR

One mOre reasOn tO visit Lithuania:

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A SETTLEMENT TURNS INTO A CASTLE, A CASTLE INTO A PALACE

Prehistory of the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania dates back to 4th-8th centuries — when according to data of the detailed, twenty years long research on the site a constant settlement existed. Over time the settlement became a castle, and in the thirteen century brick construction was began. Researchers associate these construction works to the entrenchment of the Gediminid dynasty in Lithuania. Many Lithuanian rulers —from the predecessors of Gediminas to Vytautas and Casimir Jagiellon were famous for building initiatives, but the radical change of the residence began at the turn of 15th and 16th centuries, with Alexander Jagiellon becoming the Grand Duke of Lithuania, later followed by his brother Sigismund the Old.

The fact that Alexander resided in Lithuania, the growing administrative needs of his vast estate and nation, and his marriage to Helen, the daughter of the Grand Duke of Moscow Ivan III – all necessitated the expansion of his residence to meet not only domestic, but also increasing ceremonial needs.

BONA SFORzA BROUGHT EUROPEAN CULTURE

Historical sources indicate that the palace was several times ravaged by the fires, and not only for them, but with the advent of each new ruler the palace was increasingly expanded and remodeled. So after Alexander Jagiellon works it was the turn of the Grand Duke of Lithuania and the King of Poland Sigismund the Old, and his wife, the Italian princess Bona Sforza to transform and reconstruct the palace.

Although it is not known who was the main architect of palace rebuilding, some of them were mentioned:

architect and sculptor Bernardino zanobi de Gianotis from Rome or Florence, architect Bartolomeo Berecci, who was one of the chief architects of the Renaissance Wawel Royal Castle, the stonemason Benedict from Sandomierz (or Benedykt Sandomierzanin), who had worked for Sigismund the Old in Krakow, also worked for him in Vilnius. Both Berrecci and Sandomierzanin could have contributed to the reconstruction of the Vilnius palace. Construction work was supervised by the German engineer and caretaker of the Lower Castle, Ulrich Hosius (Ulricus Hosius).

THE PALACE WAS BUILT AND INHABITET By THE HIGH CLASSES

A new phase of expansion of the Renaissance palace is associated with the rule of Sigismund Augustus. In 1544 he was named vicegerent (ruler de facto) of Lithuania by his father Sigismund the Old and in that same year came to Vilnius with his wife, Elisabeth of Austria (Habsburg).

The chief architect of Sigismund Augustus’ construction work was the Italian architect, sculptor, and stonemason Giovanni Cini from Siena. He received help from his brother Bartolomeo, a stonemason. Others who worked there for several years were: the Flemish architect Frederik Unstherffe, the Polish stonemason Benedict from Sandomierz, and the architect and military engineer Job Breitfuss, the chief carpenter was Marcin from Poland. The room interiors were decorated by the sculptor Donatus from Hungary. The room friezes and other artwork were painted by the German master Gerhard Sweiger, who lived in Vilnius. Other painters were Anton Wiede, a German from Gdansk, and the Italian Giovanni da Monte.

The palace walls were decorated with expensive fabrics, sandstone from Livonia and Sweden was

Third Mannerist antechamber returns us to a "golden period" for the palace

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culture: history

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before with the famous Italian Baroque architect Carlo Maderno.

The 16th and 17th centuries can be referred to as a „golden period“ for the palace. It came to an end in 1655 when Vilnius was attacked by the Muscovite and Cossack army and occupied for six years. During these years, the palace was plundered, ravaged, and burned. It was never rebuilt and never again served as a residence for the rulers of Poland and Lithuania, even though the Lithuanian nobility often urged that the palace be rebuilt. At the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th centuries, on the orders of the Tsarist administration, all except the eastern wing of the palace was torn down.

WHAT DID HAPPEN AT THAT TIME?

During its „golden period“ the palace in Vilnius became not only a political, administrative, and diplomatic center but also a center for culture and the arts, and its influence spread far beyond the Lithuanian capital. The palace contained rich collections of tapestries, paintings, and other works of art, weapons, armour, hunting trophies, and a huge library as well as a collection of treasures and jewels that impressed the papal legate Bishop Bernardino Buongiovanni, who then spread the news of the treasures he saw in 1560 throughout Europe.

In 1636 — earlier than in Rome or Paris —the first opera in Lithuania was staged in the palace – Il Ratto di Helena (The Abduction of Helen). The libretto was written and published in Vilnius by Virgillio Puccitelli, secretary to Ladislaus Vasa, and the music was probably composed by the famous Italian composer and conductor Marco Scacchi.

This palace was witness to the romantic love story of Sigismund Augustus and Barbara Radziwiłł. The Council of Lords and the Parliament of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania met here. The Statutes of Lithuania (the code of laws of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania) were compiled and edited here. The Lithuanian Metrica (chancellery records of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania) was kept here as well as the treasuries of Lithuania’s rulers and of the Grand Duchy.

This is exactly why the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, destroyed and reborn, remains the symbol of nationhood in the consciousness of most of Lithuanians. It is associated with unity and the greatness of one of the most influential European Empire of the Middle and New Ages.

The current exhibitions beyond the gates of the Palace tells this story and much more...

THE BEST IN BETWEEN OF ST PTERSBURG, STOCKHOLM AND KRAKOW

Today in the reconstructed Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania two of the four exhibition tour routes planned are available.

used for flooring, metalwork was brought from Poland and Austria, and glass from France.

FROM FLOURISHING TO DESTRUCTION

Although by the 17th century the palace had already acquired typical residentional features and was flourishing, members of the Swedish Vasa dynasty who at that time ruled Lithuania and Poland were improving and redecorating the palace. Architectural details found during the archeological research at the site indicate that the palace was repaired and decorated in the Northern Mannerist style and later the building acquired early Baroque features. Efforts were led by the Italian architects, sculptors Constante and Jacopo Tencalla who had worked

In 1636 — earlier than in rome or Paris — the first opera in Lithuania was staged in the palace. Today opera sounds in the Palace again

The first tour shows remaining authenticals walls, unique and especially vast archaeological findings made of ceramics, wood, metal, glass, leather, bones as well as jewellery

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The first tour will show the historical and architectural development of the palace by highlighting the ancient ruins still in place and the excavated artifacts as well as by using models and iconographic material. The main part of this exhibition show remaining authenticals walls, unique and especially vast archaeological findings made of ceramics, wood, metal, glass, leather, bones as well as jewellery. These are accompanied by written comments and iconographical material. The first exposition commemorates the luxury of the residency and illustrates the everyday life 300 to 600 years ago. The wooden and clay findings are especially valuable for the European heritage context in general as elsewhere such material had degenerated before they could even be found. The collection of the stove tiles is probably the biggest in the world. The exposition is very attractive for one extraordinary feature – all the archaeological findings are presented in the places where they were originally found. It is the Lithuanian Troy and Pompeii at the same time.

The second expositional route mirrors the stylistic epochs and historical interior functions; it is like a walk through representational interiors of different times, from late Gothic to Renaissance and early Baroque through fine and applied arts – furniture, tapestries, maps, works of graphics, portraits of rulers and noblemen, armoury and weapons, valuables of lithuanistics.

Both these tours are meant to complement each other, giving the visitor a well-rounded view of the development of the palace, its role in Lithuanian

www.valdovurumai.lt

history and culture as well as its political and artistic ties with the rest of Europe and Asia.

It is planned that the two extra routes will be available to the visitors in 3 to 5 years time when the process of rebuilding the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania will be completely finished.

Whether or not Lithuania will come back to active European politics through the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania is a question for the future. However, even now the palace undoubtely is Lithuania‘s tourism gates that many local Lithuanians and foreign countries‘ visitors want to get through.

The organization of international exhibitions from the world’s most famous musuems, as well as the exposition of jewellery coffret of Hedwig Jagiellon from the Collections of the State Hermitage Museum in the reconstructed Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania serves as confirmation of the integration of this museum into the global museum network

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culture: art

During Lithuania’s presidency in the EU Council, Brus-sels has been adorned with playful Lithuanian marks. Take, for instance, the European Commission building, the Berleymont: in its twelve elevators, twelve original pieces of art by contemporary Lithuanian artists have been travelling up and down.

This mobile exhibition “Up and Down” has been ar-ranged by an artist Audrius Gražys together with the team of Algirdas Šemeta, European Commissioner from Lithuania. According to Gražys, these paintings

displayed in the elevators generated a lot of positive emotions for the employees as well as visitors of the building.

“Very often you enter an overcrowded elevator and you don’t know where to point your eyes. But now thanks to this exhibition, people could give their eyes a rest, relax and have a cheerful chat with perfect strangers, discussing some surrealist or abstract painting by a Lithuanian artist” – Audrius Gražys pointed out rejoic-ing the successful implementation of the idea.

Up &

Down

Artist Audrius Gražys

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LITHUAnIAn LAnDSCApES oF BEInGAN EXHIBITION IN THE LANGUAGE LIBRARy TO MARK THE LITHUANIAN PRESIDENCy

A n exhibition of five Lithu-anian artists and an exhi-bition of the Most Beauti-

ful Lithuanian Books of 2012 was opened on the 19 September 2013 in the Language Library of the General Secretariat of the Council of the EU. The exhibitions and the exceptional Lithuanian jazz concert Druskininkai Jazz Band were organ-ised by the Language Library, the Lithuanian Language Unit and the Permanent Representation of Lith-uania to the EU to mark the Lithu-anian Presidency of the Council.

The exhibition “Lithuanian Land-scapes of Being” (September-December) brings together five Lithuanian artists – Rimas Bičiūnas, Audrius Gražys, Linas Liandzber-gis, Vilmantas Marcinkevičius and Laisvydė Šalčiūtė – who each come from different backgrounds and whose techniques and philosophies range from the totally abstract to the folkloric and figurative.

The exhibition of the Most Beauti-ful Lithuanian Books of 2012 de-mands very special attention from visitors. The work of book design-ers and illustrators is almost invis-ible unless you look closely at the book itself. The exhibition in LEX is comprised of fiction books, text-books, children’s books and art books which won the 2012 award or a special prize.

It is impossible to imagine Lithuani-an art without Mikalojus Konstanti-nas Čiurlionis (1875 - 1911) and his in-triguing and complex work, in which image and music are intimately intertwined. Back in 2011, to com-memorate the 100th anniversary of the death of this great Lithuanian composer, the Druskininkai Jazz Band came forward with the chal-lenging project Čiurlionis KITAIP. They pay tribute to Čiurlionis by transforming his preludes into an exciting mixture of jazz modula-tions. The band invites you to lis-ten to unique rearrangements of Čiurlionis’s symphonic poems into soft and vibrant jazzy sounds.

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Laisvydė Šalčiūtė

Opening of the exhibition. From left to right: Agnes Tarnai, Head of HU Language Unit, DGA3 Translation Directorate B; Sabine Ehmke Gendron, Director, DGA 3/B Translation, General Secretariat of the EU Council; viktorija Tichonova-Zurbienė, Head of LT Language Unit, DGA3 Translation Directorate A.

Linas Liandzbergis

vilmantas Marcinkevičius

rimas Bičiūnas

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culture: art

had been more than once charac-terized as an upholder of traditional values, faithful to the form and con-tents of classical graphics, archaic spaces of thought and images; at the same time he remains persis-tently Lithuanian in his lyrical mod-els of the national spirit and sensi-tive to his time – the creator of the new era.

The creative work of the author who is original without reservation, of the worldview that is organi-cally merged with the personality and having his own personal style, opens up in an authentic imagined reality in which universal arche-types, mythology and traditional culture, cosmic logic and existen-tial symbolism are conveyed from a particular angle and are repre-sented using surrealistic principles of modern taste.

Despite differences, which subtle-ties of the cycles of the creative stages spread, they all are joined by the author’s value-based position – searches for a real meaning and the existential depth in the cultural tradition, in man’s inner and outer link with the world: his existence on Earth and with it, within oneself and with oneself.

The texture of his creative work saturated with narrative plots, sym-bols and signs fills in the smallest vacuum making the observer dive into the opening multilayer reality without a pause and linger there.

Jūratė Tutlytė

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And death shall have no dominion... Etching, 65x32 cm

Egidijus Rudinskas

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Autumn. Etching, 50x32 cm

Letters. Etching, 15x13 cm

Spring. Etching,12x22 cm

raphael's life. Etching, 37x55 cm

Matilda di Shabran. Etching, 100x70

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What is TADAM! about?

TADAM! is about making surprises and bringing joy. A year and a half a go we came up with an idea to launch a laboratory of exclusive surprises for sale – surprises that would instantly make a person, getting them as a gift, smile and feel delighted and happy. And so the collection of „Sweet Courses for your Eyes“ has appeared.

Who is the person/team behind TADAM!, can you tell us your background?

Deimantė Litvinaitė (Ms) is the inventor and chief designer of the product of TADAM! as well as head of the company, which unites a team of 5 other professionals: Aistė Jurė (Ms), as copywriter, Vilma Kelečiūtė (Ms) as Sales Manager, and Dzuljeta Raudonienė (Ms), Gvidas Raudonis (Mr) and Jolanta Mašidlauskienė as ceramists. The company started its activity in 2012 and won Lithuania’s National “GOOD DESIGN AWARD” in 2013.

culture: design

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The Sweet Courses for Your Eyes

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Why did you decide to create food inspired jewelry?

The task was to come up with a piece of jewelry, a sheer and unexpected surprise, but at the same time very subtle and simple in its nature. And so we cre-ated our first three “sweet courses” of a “Raffaello”, a dark chocolate bar and a small donut. These are the items that are very common as real edible des-serts, however not seen as aesthetic wearable and not edible units. And here’s the core of our idea with a light spice of irony – turn a dessert into a piece of a “delicious” jewelry.

Why do you like donuts so much?

In fact, we have mini donuts, like small biscuits with a hole in the middle, in Lithuania, and they are our traditional bakery product, called “baranka” in Lithu-anian, which you will not come across beyond the borders of our country. In English there is no other term than “a donut”, so we named it as donuts :)Donuts have a perfect form and look nice as jewelry pendants around one’s neck. And naturally they at-tract lots of attention and a desire to touch them :)

Next projects?

Our „Sweet Courses for your Eyes“ collection has been very successful and we are about to develop it further. Food is an infinity of inspirations that we will certainly turn into more TADAM! surprises. Keep your eyes open to see the next TADAM!

www.TadamTadam.lt

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culture: music

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nI&Co (new Ideas Chamber orchestra) is a string ensemble that has developed a new concept of performing; the musi-cians play all compositions by heart and also integrate minimalistic body move-ments into their live performances, thus creating a unique concept, which could be called „visualized music”.

Founded in 2006 by composer and con-ductor Gediminas Gelgotas, the group, both acclaimed by the public and crit-ics has performed in venues such as The Roundhouse and Institute for Contem-porary Arts (London), festivals Usedom Music Festival (Germany), The Baltic Tri-ennial of Arts, Gaida (Lithuania), Sacrum non Profanum (Poland) and others. It has toured in Latvia, Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Aus-tria, Great Britain and the USA. In 2009, NI&Co perfomed in Essen when Vilnius handed over the title of European Capital of Culture to the Ruhr region (Germany). NI&Co album Music for Strings were re-leased by Peermusic Classical (2013). From 2012 NI&Co is a resident of Vilnius City Hall.

The artists of NI&Co are young, profes-sional and adventurous musicians, win-ners of many international competitions: Augusta Jusionytė (violin), Dalia Simaška (violin, viola), Julia Ivanova (violin), Justas Kulikauskas (cello), David Dumčius (cel-lo), Auris Galvelis (double bass). Artistic director Gediminas Gelgotas.

The greater part of the ensemble’s rep-ertoire consists of works by Gelgotas that require special artistic abilities from the performers, often including singing, speaking or acting on stage.

In 2011 NI&Co made its debut on Mini-mal Music Festival (Kassel). “Musically, NI&Co follows a concept similar to that of Apple in the computer world: The design, here the styling of the musicians, is super cool, the programs appeal to the emo-tions, and user guidance, that is, the ap-proach with the audience, is intuitive and suggestive at the same time.”(Hessische Nachrichten, Kassel, 2011)

It is NI&Co’s wide range of repertoire, di-rect approach to the listener, high level of mastery and luxurious style that attracts audiences of different ages and views, providing the opportunity to successfully perform on a variety of occasions, such as classical or contemporary music festivals, diplomatic missions, fashion shows and others.

Gediminas Gelgotas‘ (born 1986) In 2006 founded the ensemble NI&Co (New Ideas Chamber Orchestra) for the purpose of realizing his own musical and conceptual ideas.

The compositions by Gediminas Gelgotas appeal to a young audience and are based on melodic beauty and rhythmic drive. “He already exercises a masterful control over a highly attractive musical language that utilizes all possibilities of modern compositional techniques – including its cacophonous ‘abbyses,’ likewise audibly influenced by a strong expressionist will. Fascinating!” (E. Ochs, Ostseezeitung, September 2012.)

G. Gelgotas most recent symphonic work Never Ignore the Cosmic Ocean for sym-phony orchestra was premiered in Berlin Konzerthaus with the Baltic youth Philhar-monic conducted by Kristjan Järvi and was described as “a sensation“ (Neue Musikzei-tung, 2012). Terry Riley, the American founder of minimal music hailed Gelgotas as a composer with „a very unique and com-pelling compositional voice.“ (2009) „That‘s how unlimited the contemporary music can be!“ (Kieler Nachrichten, C.Strehk, 2013).

Gelgotas‘ works are published by Peer-music Classical New york – Hamburg. He resides in Europe with his composing pe-riods spent in California, the US.

www.niko.lt

Phot

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InteRnet sHoP of UnIQUe HandICRafts

UnIQUe Hand-made aRtICLes CReated By a CeRamICIst aGnė mILIaUsKaItė-tULaBIenėCeRamIC JeWeLLeRy, eaRtHenWaRe and otHeR deCoRatIons foR tHe InteRIoR

www.bruknes.lt

made In LItHUanIa