News

On March 14, on the occasion of the Restoration of Lithuania's Independence Day, the Philippine Symphony Orchestra performed Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis' symphonic poem "In the Forest" – it was the first time for Čiurlionis’s music in the Philippines. The piece was included in the concert program at the initiative of the Lithuanian Embassy in Korea, in order to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of M. K. Čiurlionis and the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Lithuania's Independence.

Among the guests who attended the celebration held before the concert, were the First Lady of the Philippines, Louise Araneta Marcos, and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Enrique Manalo. Members of growing Lithuanian community in the Philippines also attended the event and the concert.

The Ambassador, welcoming the guests, noted the composer's invaluable contribution to the preservation of the Lithuanian national identity, which laid the foundations for the restoration of the independent state of Lithuania, and his role in Lithuanian and European art.

“Presenting Čiurlionis’ legacy in the Philippines for the first time is a special feeling – the Philippines is an important like-minded partner of Lithuania, so it is a joy to finally be able to give this opportunity to celebrate one of the symbols of Lithuanian culture here – Čiurlionis is an artist of extraordinary talent and spirit, who was able to weave not only melody into sound, but also stories, dreams, visions, and the essence of Lithuanian nature. He was a composer, painter, photographer, writer, and an active participant in Lithuanian cultural life,” said Ambassador R. Šlepavičius.

Lithuania and the Philippines established diplomatic relations in 1991.