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On October 11-12, the 39th Lithuanian Days echoed through Los Angeles, organized by the Organizing Committee of the Los Angeles Lithuanian Community. This is a significant celebration with a long standing tradition, bringing together the Lithuanian community from across California, friends of Lithuania, and guests from other U.S. states, Lithuania, and various countries around the world. The team from the Consulate General of the Republic of Lithuania in Los Angeles actively participated in the event.

The Consulate team also took part in the opening of the 28th annual Lithuanian Days Golf Open organized by the Lithuanian Golf Club on October 10, where a friendly atmosphere, sporting excitement, and a spirit of community prevailed.

On Saturday, Tara Barauskaitė, chairwoman of the Lithuanian Days Organizing Committee in Los Angeles, opened the event with joy, welcoming everyone with Lithuanian music, dances, and traditional dishes. She invited attendees to enjoy artworks and folk crafts, to purchase Lithuanian amber jewelry and souvenirs, and not to miss the wonderful opportunity to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.

In her welcome speech, Consul General Sandra Brikaitė greeted the audience and expressed joy over the tradition that has been alive for nearly four decades: "This is a celebration where our sense of togetherness meets, and for a brief moment, Los Angeles becomes the capital of Lithuanian smiles and joyful bustle! I am proud that this meaningful tradition has united us - Lithuanians and friends of Lithuania for so long, even thousands of kilometers away from our homeland."

During the event, the Consul General announced that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania had elevated Honorary Consul Daiva Navarrette's consular class and, as of April this year, appointed her as the Honorary Consul General of Lithuania in Southern California.

"We sincerely thank Honorary Consul General Daiva Navarrette for her many years of heartfelt dedication, her significant contribution to strengthening the ties between Lithuania and the United States, her support for the Lithuanian community, and her constant attention to Lithuania’s interests. Her work is a beautiful example of service - one that inspires and unites us all," said S. Brikaitė.

Consul General Brikaitė invited Lithuanian Days attendees to visit the art exhibition displayed in the Art Space, dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the Lithuanian Consulate General in Los Angeles: "From Honorary to General: The History of Lithuanian Consulates in Los Angeles, 1939–2025."

This year, the Consulate’s booth gave special attention to Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis. Visitors had the opportunity to view the exhibition "Čiurlionis’ Beloved Ones" featuring works by Prof. Jolanta Talaikytė from the Vilnius Academy of Arts and her students. They could also take part in creative workshops titled "Let’s Grow Wings" and "Draw Like Čiurlionis", led by Prof. Talaikytė’s assistant Virginija Bunevičiūtė, aimed at participants of all ages.

During the celebration, Prof. Jolanta Talaikytė delivered a lecture on M. K. Čiurlionis’ life and the close individuals who influenced his artistic journey. Presenting the exhibition, the professor shared: "These fashion sketches are a vision of the past - like a misty tulle curtain, a dream flowing between reality and imagination. It is my personal attempt to touch, with sensitivity, those closest to Čiurlionis. A quiet thank you for their existence. For silently carrying love and care for the man who gifted the world with the Sonata of the Stars, Tales of Kings, and cosmic music. Let this be a reminder that a genius never creates alone - behind every one of his steps stood those who loved him: strong, inspiring women - the source of peace, warmth, and spiritual closeness without which his art would be unimaginable."

Beyond the cultural program, the Consulate General’s team was happy to provide visitors with useful information about returning to Lithuania, the griztu.lt platform, citizenship matters, opportunities for developing Lithuanian businesses, and other relevant topics.

Held since 1986, Lithuanian Days in Los Angeles is the largest Lithuanian celebration on the U.S. West Coast. Each year, it interweaves national culture, history, art, music, community spirit, and Lithuanian identity. The event features holy Mass, concerts, art exhibitions, lectures, fairs, educational activities for children, and meetings with distinguished guests from Lithuania and the diaspora. This celebration not only nurtures Lithuanian identity but also strengthens the bonds among Lithuanians living abroad, fostering pride in their roots and a deep sense of unity.