Seinai: Lithuanian's home
THE FOUNDATION‘S ACTIVITIES
Pontiff A. Baranauskas foundation “Lithuanian House” in Sejny is one of the youngest institutions created by Lithuanians in Poland. It started its activity in February 2002. The founders of the foundation are Lithuanian organizations operating in Poland (initiated by the Lithuanian Association of St. Casimir - Lietuvių Šv. Kazimiero draugija) and the Department of National Minorities and Emigration to the Government of the Republic of Lithuania. The office is situated in “Lithuanian House” in Sejny.
The foundation contributes to the preservation and advancement of Lithuanian cultural activities in the Lithuanian Community Centre in Sejny. For that reason the foundation is constantly searching for different sources of financial profits, not only to keep and administer the Centre, but also to develop Lithuanian cultural and educational activities, to protect cultural heritage and provide for other general needs of Lithuanians from the Sejny region.
The foundation has contributed to the rise of a several artistic groups which are still successfully operating and cultivating lithuanian traditions in Sejny. Concerts, festivals, competitions, international conferences and other meetings are taking place here in cooperation with other Lithuanian organizations.
The foundation devotes lots of attention to the youngest inhabitants of Sejny and surroundings, especially in the educational field. In this connection extracurricular activities for children are also organised here. Lessons sometimes take place. A library, which collects books and periodicals, is located in the Lithuanian Centre.
PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION
The purpose of the foundation is to give versatile help and support social, cultural, scientific and educational activities of the Lithuanian Community living in Poland.
The foundation is realizing its purposes by:
<< Organizing and supporting scientific activities,
<< Supporting the publishing activities,
<< Supporting the Lithuanian art movement,
<< Protection of cultural heritage,
<< Supporting Lithuanian education in Poland,
<< Supporting traditional handicraft manufacturing
<< Supporting the activities of the Lithuanians in Poland.
THE GOVERNANCE OF THE FOUNDATION
The Board of Directors wields the executive power for the foundation and consists of representatives delegated by Lithuanian organizations operating in Poland, the Department of National Minorities and Emigration at the RL Government of Foreign Affairs, the RL Ministry of Culture. The Council currently consists of 13 members. Piotr Maksimowicz, from Sejny, the historian, the former chairman of the Association of Lithuanians in Poland, currently vice-president of the Lithuanian Community in Poland.
The Board of Directors assigns the most important directions of action of the foundation and supervises the work of the management. The management represents the foundation and manages its work. The foundation chairman is Danuta Wałukanis, from Jenorajście, co-operating with 5 more people.
The Supervising Council is the body, which controls the Foundation's Board of Directors . Antoni Keller, from Sejny, is its chairman. The task of the committee is to control and estimate the activities of the foundation.