Lithuanian leaders did not attend LRT centenary event due to lack of invitation

Lithuania’s national broadcaster LRT marked its centenary last week without official congratulations from the country’s top leaders, as they were not invited to the event, reports BNS.

President Gitanas Nausėda did not receive an invitation to the Lithuanian Radio’s 100th-anniversary celebration, according to the Presidential Office. Historically, presidents have delivered congratulatory remarks at LRT’s milestone events, such as former President Valdas Adamkus in 2006 for the broadcaster’s 80th anniversary. Former President Dalia Grybauskaitė also sent congratulations in 2016, though she did not attend the event in person.

The government likewise did not issue a separate message. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė stated that while the government values LRT’s century-long role in public broadcasting, official communications vary by case. Previous prime ministers, including Algirdas Butkevičius in 2016, have publicly acknowledged LRT’s influence.

Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas, however, had already extended congratulations on March 19 during a conference at Vilnius TV Tower, praising LRT’s contributions to democracy and public information.

LRT clarified that the centenary concert was a live broadcast for the public, not a formal state event. The guest list was limited to current and former LRT employees, primarily recipients of the broadcaster’s “Golden Bee” awards. Augustė Mikulėnaitė, LRT’s press representative, noted that due to space constraints, external guests, including state leaders, were not invited. The public was instead encouraged to participate in celebrations at Cathedral Square, where LRT radio stations aired a special program.

Lithuanian Radio’s history began on June 12, 1926, with the first broadcast from Kaunas Radio Station in Žaliakalnis, transmitting the words: “Alio, alio. Lietuvos radijas, Kaunas.”