5th Anniversary of American Corner at Šiauliai Public Library
October 8, 2010
U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania Anne E. Derse celebrated the 5th anniversary of American Corner in Šiauliai on November 8th in a ceremony that took place in the conference hall of Šiauliai Povilas Višinskis Public Library, where the Corner is located. The Mayor of Šiauliai, Genadijus Mikšys, attended the event, as did Lt. Col. Connor "Smash" Blackwood, Detachment Commander of the U.S. Air Force contingent based in Šiauliai until January to conduct the Baltic Air Policing Mission established by NATO in 2004.
In her speech, Ambassador Derse highlighted the importance of cultural and educational exchanges between Lithuania and the United States, and expressed her gratefulness to all the people involved in the many activities of the American Corner. Ambassador Derse pointed out that the American Corner in Šiauliai helps to maintain an open dialogue with the community, and builds bridges of understanding between the Lithuanian and American people. The Mayor for his part also promised to widen collaboration between the American Corner and the municipality in future.
After the speeches and a dramatic interpretation of "The Little Prince," performed in English by local high school students, guests continued the celebration at a reception in the Corner itself - at which they were regaled with a performance of "Happy Birthday American Corner" by a Marilyn Monroe impersonator! They were also able to meet representatives of the U.S. Air Force contingent, who brought book donations to the Corner, as well as their colleagues from the Lithuanian Air Forces. The members of the U.S. Air Force detachment are frequent visitors to the American Corner and are actively engaged in the community.
The American Corner in Šiauliai was established in 2005 as a partnership between the U.S. Embassy in Lithuania and Šiauliai Povilas Višinskis Public Library. The main aim of the Corner is to introduce U.S. culture, economy, literature and history to Lithuanian readers. The American Corner provides readers a wide range of educational literature including encyclopedias, English language teaching literature, American fiction, history, geography art and music books, various educational CDs and DVDs. The American Corner also subscribes to 18 journals published in the United States. There also are two internet connected computers in the library. The American Corner hosts various events, lectures and art exhibitions. In general, the American Corner in Šiauliai represents the long-standing commitment of the U.S. to spread the ideas and values of American democracy and civil society.