Lithuania bids farewell to first Prime Minister Kazimira Prunskienė

Lithuania is bidding farewell to Kazimira Prunskienė, a pivotal figure in its modern history, as she is laid to rest today at Antakalnis Cemetery in Vilnius. Prunskienė, who served as the first prime minister of independent Lithuania and was a signatory to the Act of Independence, will find her final resting place in the Signatories' Hill.

The funeral ceremony is marked by solemn tributes, including farewell speeches and a minute of silence to honor her contributions. As her urn is lowered into the ground, three volleys will be fired, and the national anthem of Lithuania will be sung, underscoring the state's respect for her legacy.

During the service, the state flag of Lithuania will be formally presented to Prunskienė's relatives, a gesture signifying her significant role in the nation's re-establishment. Prunskienė, who passed away at the age of 84, began her active political career in 1988. Her public life was significantly impacted by a stroke in February 2012, after which she withdrew from societal engagement.