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2009 is the millennial celebration of the first mention of Lithuania’s name in historical sources. Lithuanian yachtsmen have dedicated their voyage around the world to celebrate this very special date. The yachtsmen’s mission has been to act as messengers inviting Lithuanians throughout the world to join in the celebration of this millennium.
During the nine month long journey “Ambersail” will visit 26 Lithuanian communities in 20 countries. They have already met with Lithuanian communities in Germany, the Canary Islands, the Republic of South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the Argentine, Uruguay, Brazil, the USA, Canada, Spain, Portugal and Ireland. “The Millennium Odyssey” participants still plan to visit Lithuanians in Norway, Denmark, Poland, Sweden, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, and the Kaliningrad Region. It is planned for the Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Ušackas to take part in the final step of the voyage Kaliningad - Klaipeda.
A personal message from the President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus to the Lithuanian communities in those countries will be passed on to those communities urging and inviting Lithuanians throughout the world to join in the millennial celebration of the first mention of Lithuania’s name. As part of this mission “The Millennium Odyssey” will also be visiting Lithuanians living in the United Kingdom.
More than one million people of Lithuanian descent live outside of Lithuania, making up a quarter of all people of Lithuanian descent. The United Kingdom takes first place in the numbers involved in the new wave of emigration – 100 000-150 000 Lithuanians live here (according to some estimates as many as 200 000). The largest concentration of Lithuanians is in London which is also the main hub of activity. There are also sizable Lithuanian communities in Nottingham, Birmingham, and Manchester. Active in the United Kingdom are the Lithuanian Association in the United Kingdom, the Youth Association, other cultural and educational organisations, as well as The UK Lithuanian Chamber of Commerce, the London Lithuanian City Club, the Association of Doctors, etc.
It is interesting to note that Lithuania right up to the close of the 20th century was not an active seafaring nation, engaged throughout its history in a struggle for access to the Baltic Sea, and only became one in 1990-1991 when she recovered her independence.
Ten crews have already sailed on this world voyage, changing over at various points. In London the eleventh and final crew will take over from the tenth crew. Over more than 200 sailing days the eleven crews will have covered more than 40 000 sea miles. The Lithuanian yachtsmen are sailing on the Volvo 60 class yacht built by Green Marine (UK).
On the 5th of July, 2009, the yacht “Ambersail” LTU 1000 will return to Lithuania, having circumnavigated the globe on a mission to invite the world’s Lithuanians to gather for the millennium celebrations. At 9 PM (EEST/GMT +3) on the 5th of July the international Lithuanian community, scattered around the world, shall be together in thoughts and words. They shall sing together the Lithuanian anthem. This will be the way to announce proudly to the whole world that the name of Lithuania is one thousand years old. The return of the yacht to Klaipėda will be also crowned by direct television links with Lithuanian communities throughout the world.
During the nine month long journey “Ambersail” will visit 26 Lithuanian communities in 20 countries. They have already met with Lithuanian communities in Germany, the Canary Islands, the Republic of South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the Argentine, Uruguay, Brazil, the USA, Canada, Spain, Portugal and Ireland. “The Millennium Odyssey” participants still plan to visit Lithuanians in Norway, Denmark, Poland, Sweden, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, and the Kaliningrad Region. It is planned for the Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Ušackas to take part in the final step of the voyage Kaliningad - Klaipeda.
A personal message from the President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus to the Lithuanian communities in those countries will be passed on to those communities urging and inviting Lithuanians throughout the world to join in the millennial celebration of the first mention of Lithuania’s name. As part of this mission “The Millennium Odyssey” will also be visiting Lithuanians living in the United Kingdom.
More than one million people of Lithuanian descent live outside of Lithuania, making up a quarter of all people of Lithuanian descent. The United Kingdom takes first place in the numbers involved in the new wave of emigration – 100 000-150 000 Lithuanians live here (according to some estimates as many as 200 000). The largest concentration of Lithuanians is in London which is also the main hub of activity. There are also sizable Lithuanian communities in Nottingham, Birmingham, and Manchester. Active in the United Kingdom are the Lithuanian Association in the United Kingdom, the Youth Association, other cultural and educational organisations, as well as The UK Lithuanian Chamber of Commerce, the London Lithuanian City Club, the Association of Doctors, etc.
It is interesting to note that Lithuania right up to the close of the 20th century was not an active seafaring nation, engaged throughout its history in a struggle for access to the Baltic Sea, and only became one in 1990-1991 when she recovered her independence.
Ten crews have already sailed on this world voyage, changing over at various points. In London the eleventh and final crew will take over from the tenth crew. Over more than 200 sailing days the eleven crews will have covered more than 40 000 sea miles. The Lithuanian yachtsmen are sailing on the Volvo 60 class yacht built by Green Marine (UK).
On the 5th of July, 2009, the yacht “Ambersail” LTU 1000 will return to Lithuania, having circumnavigated the globe on a mission to invite the world’s Lithuanians to gather for the millennium celebrations. At 9 PM (EEST/GMT +3) on the 5th of July the international Lithuanian community, scattered around the world, shall be together in thoughts and words. They shall sing together the Lithuanian anthem. This will be the way to announce proudly to the whole world that the name of Lithuania is one thousand years old. The return of the yacht to Klaipėda will be also crowned by direct television links with Lithuanian communities throughout the world.
