Draugas News

12/09/2025

Latvia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, is in Washington, D.C., to meet with members of Congress and the administration.

In a conversation with Peter Rough, Director of the Center on Europe and Eurasia at the Hudson Institute, Foreign Minister Braže discussed the state of the U.S.-Baltic relationship, updates on Ukraine negotiations, and Latvia’s future role on the UN Security Council.

12/04/2025

The Global Lithuanian Christmas Tree Contest Is Back!

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania and its Global Lithuania Department invite Lithuanians around the world to share the beauty of your Christmas tree and take part in the annual Most Beautiful Global Lithuanian Christmas Tree 2025 contest. Winners will receive special Lithuanian-themed prizes.

Please send a photo of your tree to [email protected]

by December 26. Be sure to include your name, along with the country and city where you live. Any information you provide will be used solely for administering the contest.

The winning tree will be selected by public vote on the Global Lithuania – Globali Lietuva page and announced on Epiphany, January 6, 2026. Winners will be contacted through the email address from which their photo was submitted.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Global Lithuania Department are committed to keeping Lithuanians worldwide connected and celebrating the traditions that unite us — wherever we call home now.

Wishing you a warm and peaceful holiday season,
The Global Lithuania Department

(Photo of this year's Christmas tree by the Lithuanian Presidential Palace by Robertas Dačkus)

12/02/2025

The Balzekas Museum Person of the Year: Honorary Consul Ingrida Bublys.
She will be honored at a celebration at the Museum on December 6.
All are invited to come and greet her.
Please register by December 2.

Join us this Saturday as we invite you to honor Ingrida Bublys, our 2025 Person of the Year!

Each year, the Museum recognizes outstanding individuals whose dedication and achievements have enriched both Lithuanian and global communities. The Person of the Year Award is the Museum’s highest civic honor and the longest-standing recognition of its kind outside of Lithuania. Past honorees include distinguished civic leaders, physicians, artists, scholars, diplomats, and two Lithuanian Presidents.

This year’s honoree, Ingrida Bublys, is celebrated for her remarkable contributions to Lithuanian and American culture, business, and humanitarian work.

For 25 years, she has served as the Honorary General Consul of the Republic of Lithuania for Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, promoting lasting partnerships between Lithuania and the United States. She has helped connect universities across both nations, fostered cooperation between the Ohio Department of Agriculture and Lithuania’s Ministry of Agriculture, organized trade missions, and strengthened cultural and economic ties.

As President of IB International, Inc., with offices in Cleveland, Vilnius, and Buchholz, Bublys has over three decades of experience in international business development, representing and connecting companies across the Baltic States, the U.S., and Europe. Her recognitions include the Order of Grand Duke Vytautas the Great, the Eagle Award, the International Service Award, and induction into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.

The Award Dinner and Fundraiser will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture, 6500 S. Pulaski Rd., Chicago, IL 60629. Tickets are $135 per person or $200 for Patron Donors. Black tie attire is optional.

Please RSVP by Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Tickets are available through our Linktree or via Eventbrite at https://bublys.eventbrite.com
Join us for an evening celebrating an extraordinary leader and supporting the Balzekas Museum’s mission to preserve and promote Lithuanian culture for future generations.

12/02/2025

VISIT the DRAUGAS Booth for unique gift ideas and copies of our publications!

12/02/2025

IT’S GIVING TUESDAY – SUPPORT DRAUGAS NEWS
http://www.draugas.org/news/donate/

Today, we invite you to support Draugas News and Lithuanian Heritage magazine. Your generosity keeps these publications alive and ensures that Lithuanian stories, history, and community voices continue to reach readers across the United States.

Every donation—large or small—strengthens our ability to report, preserve, and share our heritage.

Thank you for standing with us and helping sustain our work.

11/25/2025

Hello Arizona Lithuanians!

You are invited to our Christmas celebration on Saturday, December 13, at the Lakes Community building in Tempe, AZ! We can’t wait to see all of you.

Event details:
Date: December 13, 2025
Address: 5501 S. Lakeshore Dr., Tempe, AZ
Time: 5 PM – 9 PM
• Children’s Program: 5 PM – 6:30 PM
• Holiday Music and Social Time: 6:30 PM – 9 PM
Admission: $15 per person
• Children under 13: free

Admission includes:
• Children’s program
• Light refreshments
• Open wine and beer bar (donations to the organization appreciated)
• A great time together!

Payment can be made by Zelle or in cash.
• If you prefer to pay in cash, please email how many adults and children will attend: [email protected]
• Organization Zelle: [email protected]

Wear your best party outfit, and see you soon!
Arizona Lithuanian Organization

Sveiki Arizonos lietuviai! 🇱🇹

Kviečiame visus į Kalėdinę šventę, kuri vyks šeštadienį, Gruodžio 13 dieną, Lakes Community pastate! Negalime sulaukti Jūsų visų!

Renginio informacija:

Renginio data: Gruodžio 13, 2025
Adresas: 5501 S. Lakeshore Dr., Tempe, AZ
Renginio laikas: 5PM - 9PM
- Programa Vaikams: 5PM - 6:30PM
- Šventinė Muzika ir Pabuvimas Kartu: 6:30PM - 9PM
Kaina žmogui: $15
- Vaikai iki 13 metų: nemokamai
Į kainą įeina:
- Programa vaikams
- Lengvi užkandžiai
- Vyno ir Alaus atviras baras (su aukom organizacijai)
- Geras laikas!
Už renginį susimokėti Zelle būdu arba grynais
- Jei norite mokėti grynais, prašome pranešti kiek žmonių ir kiek vaikų ateis su jumis elektroniniu paštu [email protected]
- Mūsų organizacijos Zelle: [email protected]

Vilkėkite pačią fainiausią vakarėlio aprangą ir iki greito!

Arizonos Lietuvių Organizacija

See poster below for English translation.

11/19/2025

Celebrate Čiurlionis 150: FREE CONCERTS in Chicago and Lemont, Friday Nov 21 and Sat. Nov 22.

The Consulate General of Lithuania in Chicago and the Lithuanian Culture Institute invite everyone to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, Lithuania’s legendary composer and artist.

Pianist Rokas Zubovas and cellist Gleb Pyšniak will perform a special program featuring works by Philip Glass, Žibuoklė Martinaitytė, Anatolijus Šenderovas, George Gershwin, and Čiurlionis himself.

Friday, November 21, 6:00 PM
St. James Cathedral – 65 E Huron St, Chicago

Saturday, November 22, 6:00 PM
Lithuanian World Center, Lithuanian Art Museum – 14911 127th St, Lemont

Free admission. Refreshments will be served.

11/19/2025

Lithuanians are heading to the 82nd Holiday Folk Fair, November 21–23, at the Wisconsin State Fair Park Exposition Center in West Allis, just west of Milwaukee. It’s the largest international festival in North America.

The Lithuanian Exhibit is presented by the Lithuanian American Community Waukegan–Lake County Chapter. (Last year they won first prize! See photo of their booth – a replica of a traditional Lithuanian farmhouse)

Lithuania will be represented by folk dance groups Spindulys, Laumė, Rusnė as well as Gabija, performing traditional music on authentic Lithuanian instruments on Saturday and Sunday.

Come sample Lithuanian foods and enjoy the festival. Early bird tickets are $13. For tickets, contact Antanas at 708-369-8324 or purchase advance tickets: folkfair.org/admission

Fair hours:
• Fri., Nov. 21: 2–9 p.m.
• Sat., Nov. 22: 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
• Sun., Nov. 23: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

11/14/2025

Chicagoland’s Lithuanian youth organizations are reviving the long-loved Lithuanian Turkey Dance. You don’t need to speak Lithuanian to take part – just bring your Lithuanian spirit. See you on November 28. Visit www.javljs.org for more details.

🦃 Turkey Dance!
Lapkričio 28 d., penktadienį, 19:00–24:00
📍 American Legion, Lockport
Ateikite su draugais pasidžiaugti gera muzika, gėrimais (cash bar 💵), laužu 🔥 ir smagia kompanija!
Puiki erdvė šokiams, bendravimui ir rudens nuotaikai 🍂

🦃 Turkey Dance Party!
Friday, November 28 | 7PM–Midnight
📍 American Legion, Lockport
Come enjoy great music, drinks from the cash bar 🍸, a warm bonfire🔥, and plenty of room to dance and spend time with friends!🍂🎶