ANNEX II
Form for the submission of an anniversary proposal
A. Information concerning the personality/event to be commemorated
1. Family name and first name of the personality/Title of the event
100th Anniversary of Lithuanian Radio
2. Born Died
or Date of the event
On 12 June 1926, Lithuanian Radio began broadcasting from Kaunas (the then-provisional capital of Lithuania).
3. Date(s) chosen for the celebration
Celebratory events, campaigns, and communication activities dedicated to the centenary of Lithuanian Radio will take place throughout 2026, with the main commemorative events planned around 12 June 2026.
Additionally, the Seimas (Parliament) of the Republic of Lithuania, taking into account the importance of the preservation of historical, political and socio-cultural memory and the commemoration of events and anniversaries of importance to the State in the year 2026, has also declared 2026 the Year of Lithuanian Radio (Seimas Decision No XIV-315 "On Declaring 2026 the Year of Bishop Motiej Kazimieras Valančius of Samogitia, Radio Lithuania and the Lithuanian Helsinki Group").
4. Field of activity: Communication (including PSM advocacy), culture and education.
5. Brief description of the personality listing his or her major works/of the event
On 12 June 1926, Lithuanian Radio broadcast its first program from Kaunas, marking the birth of public service broadcasting in Lithuania. As noted in the Seimas Decision on declaring 2026 the Year of Lithuanian Radio, this date serves as a "testimony to the modernization of Lithuanian society, stimulating the development of media and technology, and remaining highly relevant and important over the past 100 years."
6. Describe the way(s) in which this personality/event has had a genuine regional and/or worldwide impact
The history of Lithuanian Radio highlights its close connection to the nation's journey toward freedom and democracy. Key milestones include:
• 1926: The establishment of Lithuanian Radio, providing a platform for the newly independent state to connect with the world.
• 1989: Playing a crucial role in the coordination of the Baltic Chain rally, a peaceful demonstration for independence that united millions across Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.
• 1991: Representing resilience during the Soviet attack on Lithuania's independence, with broadcasts from the Sitkūnai radio station symbolizing resistance against occupation after Soviet forces seized the main radio and television building in Vilnius.
Today, LRT as a successor of the Lithuania Radio continues to be a vital part of Lithuanian life, contributing to democracy, cultural enrichment, and trusted journalism.
The primary mission of LRT is to inform, educate, and unite society. Core values include openness to diverse perspectives, fostering dialogue, collaboration, and embracing innovation in journalism, technology, and management.
Striving to meet the information needs of diverse audiences, reflect a wide range of opinions, exposing misinformation and promoting media literacy, public service broadcasting plays a very important role in promoting social cohesion and dialogue between diverse groups in increasingly polarised societies and in the environment, where algorithms driven social media confines people to "like-minded bubbles."
LRT reaches a wide variety of audiences and amplifies the voices of different societal groups. LRT is the only media organization in Lithuania producing content for and about ethnic communities in Russian, Polish, Ukrainian, and Belarusian languages, while also creating programs in Lithuanian about the Jewish community. The LRT.lt portal operates in multiple languages, including Lithuanian, English, Polish, Russian, and Ukrainian, ensuring accessibility to diverse audiences.
Furthermore, LRT develops programming for various religious communities and adapts its content for people with disabilities.
Lithuanian Radio is the only broadcaster in the country that provides 24/7 news coverage. Furthermore, LRT is the leading media outlet in Lithuania in terms of disseminating educational and cultural content.
In 2021 Lithuania's national public broadcaster, LRT, was awarded as the country's most loved media brand at the Baltic Brand Forum 2021.
Some 70% of the Lithuanian population surveyed have a positive opinion of LRT as a media outlet (Baltic Research, 2024).
Among the main Lithuanian media groups, LRT received the highest rating in terms four characteristics: reliability, promotion of culture, education of the audience, meaningful time (spent with LRT) (Baltic Research, 2024).
LRT’s main radio channel LRT RADIJAS is one of the most popular radio stations in Lithuania - in terms of share, LRT RADIJAS is ranked 3rd according to the latest spring-summer 2024 data.
Radio is adapting to new changes in consumption by offering more and more content in digital format, and its popularity and reach is rapidly growing.
Recent achievements of LRT radio journalists:
In 2024, an LRT radio documentary about a same-sex couple was awarded Best Audio Documentary at the PRIX EUROPA awards ceremony in Berlin.
In 2023, an LRT radio documentary about the migration crisis in Lithuania won the gold medal at the prestigious Third Coast Festival in Chicago.
7. Website(s) (including the website established/designed for the anniversary celebration
It is planned that LRT.lt will have a special subpage dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Lithuanian Radio.
B. Co-sponsors (two Member States or regional group)
LRT is an active member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and plans to share anniversary-related programs through the EBU's music and news exchange platforms. Representatives from EBU member states, especially the Baltic region, will be invited to participate in commemorative events and activities.
C. Anniversary to be celebrated
Fiftieth
Centenary
v
Multiple thereof
D. Information on the activities held on the occasion by the country or countries concerned
Place
Type of activity
Institution responsible
Time frame (start and end dates for the celebration)
Estimated cost (US $)
Funds earmarked/requested (under the Participation Programme)
In your country
Radio and television programmes from various regions of Lithuania and abroad.
LRT
2026
Organised and funded from LRT and partner’s resources
International conference hosted by Vilnius University's Faculty of Communication, with LRT
Vilnius University, LRT – as partner
2026
Funded from LRT and partner’s resources
Concerts
LRT together with partners
2026
Funded from LRT and partner’s resources
Oral History Testimonies Project
LRT together with partners
2026
Funded from LRT and partner’s resources
Concerts
LRT together with partners
2026
In other countries (please state which)
E. Links to UNESCO
1. Please indicate the UNESCO field(s) of competence to which the celebration is linked
Education x
Natural Sciences
Culture x
Social and Human Sciences
Communication x
Link to:
Priority Gender Equality x
Priority Africa
Explain: LRT strives for gender equality in various areas, both in terms of staffing and in terms of coverage of public life and achievements. Since 2019, LRT, including radio news programmes, have been a partner of the BBC's 50:50 project which aims at balanced male and female representation on/off the screen and air.
...........................................
Transdisciplinary projects:
2. Explain the contribution that such an anniversary celebration can effectively make to the attainment of Member States’ goals in UNESCO’s fields of competence and in regard to the major priorities set in the Medium-Term Strategy (C/4) and Programme and Budget (C/5) approved by the General Conference
The celebration of the centenary of Radio Lithuania provides a unique opportunity to highlight the significant contributions of PSM to democracy, freedom of expression, pluralism, social cohesion, and the promotion of education and culture. It also serves as an opportunity to emphasise the critical importance of safeguarding the independence of PSM. This commemoration aligns with and strengthens key areas of public service broadcasting that are among Lithuania's priorities within UNESCO, including:
• Mobilizing scientific knowledge and policy for sustainable development
• Addressing emerging social and ethical challenges
• Fostering cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue, and a culture of peace
• Building inclusive knowledge societies through information and communication
3. Form of participation requested from UNESCO
We would seek the possibility of using the anniversary logo with the UNESCO logo.
4. Describe the way(s) in which this commemoration is consistent with and enhances UNESCO’s goals and mission
The centenary of Lithuanian Radio is being planned as an opportunity to highlight LRT’s contribution to the development of societal freedom and democracy, and to highlight the broader role of public service media (PSM) as institutional guarantors of media freedom and pluralism.
This is particularly important in light of the growing anti-media sentiment across Europe, especially targeting public service broadcasters, and an increasing trend in Europe to exert political influence on public broadcasters or even to seize control of them.
Therefore, UNESCO's partnership in marking this anniversary would hihlight its role in promoting and protecting freedom of expression and press freedom globally.
The commemoration partnerships will also contribute to UNESCO's objectives, which coincide with those of public service broadcasters in general and LRT in particular, including:
• Addressing emerging social and ethical challenges
• Fostering cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and a culture of peace
• Building inclusive knowledge societies through information and communication.
Highlighting LRT’s contributions to societal development through diverse, inclusive, and educational programming also reinforces UNESCO’s values.
F. Other information
Key planning for events will occur in 2025, ensuring comprehensive preparation for the 2026commemorations.