Scandinavian kings and queens at Millennium Celebrations in Lithuania

HM Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, TM King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, and HM King Harald V of Norway attended the celebrations of Millennium of Lithuania’s name in the capital Vilnius last Monday.

Several other Heads of State also attended the celebrations: President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson of Iceland, President Valdis Zatleras of Latvia, President Lech Kaczyński of Poland, President Viktor Yushchenko of Ukraine, President Tarja Halonen of Finland, President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia, as well as Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Legate of Pope Benedict XVI, and Prime Minister Andrus Ansip of Estonia.


The celebrations started with a flag Hoisting Ceremony on the Daukanto Square and the address by outgoing Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus, after which the guests attended Holy Mass at Vilnius Cathedral. President Adamkus then opened the rebuild Palace of Rulers of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

In the afternoon the royal and other guests watched „The Song of the Centuries“ concert in Vingio Park. After the concert, the President of Lithuania hosted a gala reception in the courtyard of the Presidential Palace, dedicated to the Millennium of the First Mention of the Name of Lithuanian in Written Records and the Lithuanian State Day (King Mindaugas Coronation Day).