The Lord Mayor Cllr. Mick Finn is visiting Kaunas in Lithuania as part of its centenary celebrations of Kaunas as a temporary capital of Lithuania and for National Independence Day. Over 7,000 Lithuanians live in Cork.
The visit to Kaunas is taking place from 13th to 17th February. There has been on-going interaction between Kaunas and Cork for a number of years. Kaunas will be the European City of Culture in 2022 and Cork City Council has been sharing its experience and expertise as a former capital of culture.
The visit will focus on areas of mutual interest including culture, science and technology innovation, education, health & community. Cork will also share its experience as a UNESCO City of Learning, and a WHO Healthy City. UCC and the Lithuanian University of Health Science have a strong relationship and last year UCC hosted an event called ‘Forging Partnerships, Ireland & Lithuania in the EU27’.
The Lord Mayor, Cllr Mick Finn said: “Reaching out to other European cities is even more important in the current Brexit climate and I am delighted to lead the first delegation to Lithuania’s second city Kaunas”.
“We have a very strong Lithuanian community in Cork and closer links across business, culture and education will strengthen these links further. Cork has always looked beyond its boundaries and counting Kaunas - which will be a fellow European Capital of Culture in 2022 - as a friendly city will invigorate both cities,” he said.
Kaunas was temporary capital of Lithuania for 20 years from 1919 to 1939, after Vilnius was occupied by Russian Bolsheviks and later annexed by Poland.
