Pažaislis Monastery. Photo: Royal Norwegian Embassy
The magnificent Pažaislis monastery, one of the finest baroque architectural monuments in Lithuania, provided a beautiful backdrop for event. The monastery is among the most important cultural heritage sites in Lithuania. As a result of an EEA Grants-funded project, the dilapidated southern servants’ quarters of the monastery have been transformed, creating a new exhibition and educational space.
First row- Sister Lidija, Minister of Finance Ingrida Šimonytė and Minister of Culture Arūnas Gelūnas. Second row- Viceminister of Finance Rolandas Kriščiūnas and Ambassador Leif Arne Ulland. Photo: Royal Norwegian Embassy
The hosts of the event- H.E. Mr. Leif Arne Ulland, Ambassador of Norway to Lithuania and Ms. Ingrida Šimonytė, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania, opened the event by emphasizing the significance of the contribution of the EEA Grants and Norway Grants to the Lithuanian people and the local communities. The ambassador presented the background of the EEA Grants and Norway Grants as an expression of the solidarity of Norway with the community of the EEA member states and the great opportunities for cooperation that have become available as a result. He provided a brief overview of the achievements so far and the future of the EEA Grants and Norway Grants in Lithuania. Minister Šimonytė thanked all the project promoters, noting their dedication, knowledge and values that are fundamental to the achievements of the programme.
Minister of Finance Ingrida Šimonytė and Minister of Culture Arūnas Gelūnas. Photo: Royal Norwegian Embassy
Moments of the event . Photo: Royal Norwegian embassy
Project promoters representing three institutions that have benefited from the grants – Antakalnis hospital, Juvenile Interrogation Isolator – Correctional Facility of Kaunas and the Pažaislis monastery – presented their respective projects. Project-promoter presentations were received with great interest, allowing the guests a closer look at the transformations that have been achieved as a result of the grants. Finally, the guests had a chance to visit the newly established museum at Pažaislis and to experience the achievements of the programme first-hand.
Moments of the event. Photo: Royal Norwegian Embassy
A photography exhibition Norway Grants and EEA Grants: Vision to Reality in Lithuania was displayed during the event, introducing some of the people and the places that have been transformed as a result of the grants.
Moments of the event. Photo: Royal Norwegian Embassy