Since morning on Wednesday Klaipeda celebrated its 760th birthday. At 7:30 in the morning, the port city residents were awakened to a theatrical performance. After a festive flag raising at the castle, Klaipeda citizens and guests gathered at the concert hall, where there was a festive meeting commemorating the 760th anniversary of the city’s establishment, delfi.lt reported on 1 August.
Between the artistic performances at the Klaipeda concert hall, President Dalia Grybauskaite, visiting on Wednesday, offered words of welcome and birthday wishes to Klaipeda’s residents.
“We call you the city of good winds, but, even better, I could also call you the city of good water, because you will become not only a maritime city, but also our energy independence gateway,” – the President said in her welcoming speech to Klaipeda’s citizens.
“During these 760 years in Klaipeda there were always only two things: the sea and wind. Not only once burned and demolished was the city, but the spirit of the city was unbroken,” – continued D. Grybauskaite. “Local residents see the expanse of the sea every day, are inspired to achieve more, do not stop searching, creating and never surrendering, because by the sea is not the place for quitters.”
In his speech, Klaipeda Mayor Vytautas Grubliauskas emphasized the more romantic side of the city: “Klaipeda in particular – is a romantic city which is impossible not to love, a good and interesting place to live.”
The mayor did not forget to emphasize the distinctiveness of the city by the sea. Each year, the Klaipeda port is visited by about 7,000 ships, and the city is in regular contact with 70 countries worldwide.
“This city is dynamic, improvising, young and ambitious. Looking to the future, we need to have clear plans for the development of the city. The residents of Klaipeda are willing to develop new ideas and implement them, “- said Grubliauskas.
The Mayor also mentioned his support for the liquefied natural gas terminal projects: “Fully realizing the strategic principles of energy security, we are open to debate honestly and fairly and that after extensive studies the whole country will usher in significant energy objects in the city. National priorities cannot become a negotiation of market principles. ”
DELFI reminds that Klaipeda was officially established on August 1, 1252 when Courland Bishop Heinrich entered into an agreement with the vicegerent of the Teutonic Order. It was agreed that at the junction of the Nemunas and Dane rivers will be built a castle and a couple of years later a city was established.
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