Baltic States – CIS, Belarus, Education and Science, Lithuania

On Friday, the Lithuanian Embassy in Minsk held a Christmas trip of the Lithuanian children living in Belarus to Vilnius for the third year in a row. The children visited Vilnius and were introduced to Christmas traditions. The president met with the pupils of the Lithuanian schools in Pelesa and Rymdziuny and urged them to uphold their nationality and the Lithuanian identity in Belarus, reported BC presidential press service.

"You are very dear to us. You speak, teach, sing Lithuanian. But you must try to learn and work even more because you are our children, the Lithuanian ambassadors," Grybauskaite addressed the children.

The president emphasized that it should be very important for a young Lithuanian living abroad to make active efforts to gain knowledge.

"You can achieve successful results only by working better. Be brave to risk, do not fear dreaming," the head of state said.

The schoolchildren sang Lithuanian songs and recited poetry to the president. Grybauskaite wished children to always feel joy and dignity that they were Lithuanians.