Lithuania Bids Farewell to Former Prime Minister Kazimira Prunskienė

A private farewell ceremony for Kazimira Prunskienė, the first Prime Minister of the restored Lithuania, began Saturday at the 'Ritualas' funeral home in Vilnius. The event was attended by the politician's family members and close relatives, according to reports from the portal Žmonės.lt.

Government representatives confirmed to ELTA that the private ceremony was held at the request of the family. The public will be able to pay their final respects to Prunskienė on Wednesday and Thursday. State funeral services are planned, and she will be laid to rest at the Field of Signatories in the capital's Antakalnis Cemetery.

Kazimira Prunskienė, a signatory of Lithuania's Act of Independence, passed away at the age of 84. She initiated her active political career in 1988. Prunskienė suffered a stroke in February 2012, after which she withdrew from public life in the country. The exact time for the state funeral is expected to be announced later.