Lithuania celebrates Statehood Day

"This year, the Statehood Day will be special. We will again be united by songs, which always make us stronger and lead us. Let us celebrate the day with the national flag and a Lithuanian song, let us take pride in our Homeland and its people," President Dalia Grybauskaitė said.

At a ceremony at the President's Office on Friday morning, Grybauskaitė conferred state awards upon Lithuanian and foreign citizens for merits to Lithuania.

Later in the day, celebration events include a raising of the flag ceremony in the Simono Daukanto Square in front of the President's Office, followed by the opening of the Students Song Festival.

A service was held at the Vilnius Cathedral, an event Let's Sing Maironis on Gediminas Hill and a glider festival next to the White Bridge.

Events are also planned in other cities and towns across Lithuania.

At 9 PM Lithuanian time, all Lithuanians across the globe are invited to sign the National Anthem.