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On 15 March at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the family of Lithuanian and Swedish writer, diplomat of Independent Lithuania, an active public figure in the Lithuanian community and the society of Sweden Ignas Šeinius was honoured for active work developing and fostering relations between Lithuania and Sweden President of the Swedish media company Millennium Media Group AB, the diplomat’s grandson Ignas Šeinius was received the Foreign Ministry’s award of honour – Lithuanian Diplomacy Star.

During the solemn ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prime Minister of Sweden Fredrik Reinfeldt handed over the personal archive of the diplomat to Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius.

“This is the first time that a foreign country returns to Lithuania its archives. I am certain that the research of Ignas Šeinius’s archival documents will give new insights into Lithuania’s foreign policy and history,” Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis said.

Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Asta Skaisgirytė Liauškienė thanked the family of I.Šeinius for preserving the grandfather’s archive and the Government of Sweden for returning them.

“I.Šeinius was an exceptional figure in Lithuania’s diplomacy, his contribution to the development of diplomatic relations between Lithuania and Sweden is still important today,” the Vice-Minister said.

I.Šeinius was sent to work as a representative at the Stockholm Division of the Lithuanian Society to Aid War Victims in 1915.  In 1920-1921, the diplomat worked at the press office that was moved to Copenhagen, and at Lithuania’s representation in Helsinki in 1921-1923. He was appointed as head of the representation in Stockholm in 1923.

“It is an honour for me today to represent the Šeiniai family, it means rally a lot to us. Our grandfather was an outstanding personality. Two countries - Lithuania and Sweden - had a special place in his heart. Therefore, even though we lived in Sweden, Lithuania plays a very important role in our life,” the diplomat’s grandson I.Šeinius said.

Lithuanian citizen I.Šeinius aims to perpetuate the memory of his grandfather and pays considerable attention to the formation of the positive image of Lithuania in Sweden, makes broadcasts on Lithuania and invites representatives from the country to participate in the annual Stockholm Film Festival, as the founder, organizer and supporter of the festival.

The award of honour of Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Lithuanian Diplomacy Star – has been conferred since 2010 on Lithuanian and foreign citizens and organizations for outstanding merits in promoting Lithuania’s name, fostering and developing interstate relations.

The exhibition “Ignas Šeinius: between Lithuania and Sweden” was also opened at the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Relics from the Lithuanian Embassy in Stockholm and paraphernalia of the family of I.Šeinius are displayed at the exhibition. The exhibition will run until 7 April. Should you wish to see the exhibition, please register in advance by phone 8 (5) 236 2451.