- June 25, 2014
- 449
“There’s no language, nationality, or colour barrier here.”: Road race event for the 10th anniversary of Lithuania and Poland joining the EU
Marian PaluszkiewiczAs we already announced, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania and the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Vilnius are organising a road race event “10 km for 10 Years in the European Union” for the 10th anniversary of Lithuania and Poland joining the EU.
During a press conference in Vilnius on Wednesday, June 25, the head of the “Sporto renginiai” (“Sport Events”) Evaldas Martinka, who organises the event, explained the idea behind it and introduced the participants.
While explaining why the Embassy of the Republic of Poland had decided to organise the event, the Polish ambassador to Lithuania Jarosław Czubiński pointed out that 2014 was a year of important anniversaries in Poland. He emphasised the significance of good partnership between Poland and Lithuania.
The former Lithuanian minister of foreign affairs Antanas Valionis said the Lithuanian membership in the EU is important not only because of the politics but also because of the values. He added that “today we can celebrate the 10th anniversary in such an unusual way – two neighbours organised a road race together. Let’s avoid bureaucratic celebrations; instead, let’s include all residents of Vilnius in the event. Let’s promote health, hope, and community. This time, we don’t speak, but run, and our hearts are beating stronger.”
Asked why she would participate in the race, a marathon runner Živilė Balčiūnaitė replied that because she believed that running united every person in the world. “There’s no language, nationality, or colour barrier here, there’s only one goal and mutual joy of running. Professional runners will run along ordinary lovers of running because the value that unites them is the possibility of living free along with other people and European cultures.”
The Director General of the insurance company PZU Lietuva Marius Jundulas said that his company supported the event because unusual celebrations are more significant and interesting way of emphasising our countries’ presence in Europe.
“10 km for 10 years in the European Union” will be held on Sunday, June 29. It starts at 10 AM in Vilnius at Upės street, near the White Bridge. If you want to participate in the race, register on http://10for10.eu/. You can choose between 1 km (children), 5 km, and 10 km.
All participants will receive T-shirts, medals, and diplomas made specifically for the occasion.
Tłumaczenie by Michał M. Kowalski w ramach praktyk w Europejskiej Fundacji Praw Człowieka, www.efhr.eu. Translated by Michał M. Kowalski within the framework of a traineeship programme of the European Foundation of Human Rights, www.efhr.eu.
