“On behalf of the Republic of Lithuania today, allow me to express my sincerest gratitude to the organizers of World Culture Festival and Global Leadership Forum. It is the most inspiring gathering of minds and spirits. This year Lithuania celebrates the twenty-sixth anniversary of Reestablished Independence. Twenty-six years ago, the Parliament of Lithuania declared the end of the 50 years of oppression. It was our message of love and peace, our  call for justice and freedom. Lithuania has rapidly transformed in the last two decades. Complex economic, political and social reforms boosted economic growth, social well-being and political stability. However, we should not to overrate the economic success and not to treat the word “prosperity” as completely synonymous to “economic prosperity”. Material wellbeing comes as a consequence of hard work and self-discipline, creativity, the rule of law, respect for the individual freedoms and at the same time the responsibility of the individual to the community. And culture is the real lifeblood of communities, no less important than health or wealth, it binds societies and helps to overcome divisions, it develops solidarity, empathy and innovation.”

Šarūnas Birutis is the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania. He is also a member of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania, a member of the Committees on Education, Science and Culture and European Affairs. Previously he was a member of the Vilnius City Council and from 2004 to 2009 he served as a member of the European Parliament. Since 2009 Šarūnas Birutis was the representative of the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists to the Parliament and Government of the Republic of Lithuania. Mr. Birutis was also the President of the Baltic-Indian Chambers of Commerce and the Vice-president of the Lithuanian-Indian Forum.