The exhibition displays a unique historical treasure—an authentic document originating from the times of Gediminas, which contains copies of three letters written by the Lithuanian ruler that were sent from the capital of Lithuania to Europe precisely seven centuries ago, on 26 May 1323.
Gitanas Nausėda thanked the President of Germany for the unique opportunity to exhibit the copies of Gediminas’ letters, which were brought from the Secret State Archive of Prussian Cultural Heritage, in Vilnius, the city where they were written.
“Due to wars, occupations, and other hardships, many of our historical sources and cultural heritage treasures were lost or scattered. Not a single original letter sent from Vilnius to Europe by Gediminas has survived. Therefore, we highly value this very special gift from Germany—the opportunity to admire the original 14th-century parchment preserved in the archives in Berlin, which contains the texts of Gediminas’ letters addressed to contemporaries in Germany,” the President underlined.
700 years ago, Gediminas reached out to merchants and craftsmen in German cities, to the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries, and to the whole of Christian Europe, inviting people to come to Lithuania, settle here safely, engage in economic activities, and contribute to the prosperity of the country.
“The letters of 26 May 1323 laid down the roadmap for Lithuania’s economic and social progress. Gediminas acted wisely and with foresight, guaranteeing new settlers the freedom of action, exempting them from tariffs and taxes and granting other privileges. By opening “the land to every person of goodwill”, Gediminas sent a message to Europe that Lithuania is a space of European culture and dialogue between civilizations. A country of tolerance, openness, safe and peaceful coexistence. These are the values that continue to unite Europe today,” Gitanas Nausėda spoke.
President Gitanas Nausėda noted that the words of the Lithuanian ruler sent 700 years ago from Vilnius to Europe have now symbolically returned to the city of Gediminas to testify to the long-lasting historical links between Lithuania and Germany as well as to the importance of today’s collaboration between the two nations.
