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Ladies and Gentlemen,

On days like this I envy my counterpart, the Minister of Culture. I envy him and his work, namely, because here and now – at Vilnius Picture Gallery – I sense the presence of beauty, aesthetics and togetherness. The foreign policy portfolio is sometimes crippled by lack of these standards.

This time, on the occasion of the year of museums, we have great possibility to admire the exhibition “Portraits of Artists in Western European Engraving of the 16–18th Centuries” from the State Hermitage Museum of Russia, which is adorned by portraits of Rembrandt, Albrecht Dürer, Jan van Eyck and portraits of other eminent Western European artists. This gives us a unique opportunity to see both masterpieces and their authors – the defining geniuses of the European art.

Today, the creative heritage of such outstanding personalities has no borders. And this exhibition is proof that the strongest connection between Saint Petersburg and Vilnius – between Russia and Lithuania – is and must be the European culture and common – inalienable and single – historical and artistic heritage.

I am particularly pleased that our Consulate General in Saint Petersburg has had a chance to help to organize this art exhibition. In addition, I would like to underline the fact that it is no coincidence that our diplomats dedicate increasing attention to cooperation in the fields of cultural heritage protection and culture. It was a deliberate decision. We give political support to joint cultural projects, because we hope and strive to provide foundation for a refined politics that is combined with culture. After all, Albrecht Dürer, whom I have mentioned before, once said: “If a man devotes himself to art, much evil is avoided that happens otherwise if one is idle.”

So please enjoy the engravings and devote the rest of the International Woman’s Day to art!