Agata Kornhauser-Duda and Diana Nausėdienė visited a gymnasium and a basic school in Lithuania where Polish children study

On 9 October, the First Ladies visited Czesław Miłosz Basic School in Pakenė and St. Ursula Ledóchowska Gymnasium in Juodšiliai, where they interacted with local students and teachers.

‘I am delighted that both institutions place great emphasis on civic education. By promoting education in Polish, both establishments continue the historical traditions of collaboration between Lithuania and Poland. Our countries, supporting and complementing each other, have set an example for the whole of Europe, demonstrating that unity and cohesion is the right path for the development of states,’ – shared Mrs Nausėdienė.

Especially for the honoured guests, the students from the St. Ursula Ledóchowska Gymnasium prepared an artistic performance. Mrs Kornhauser-Duda, addressing the gathered students and teachers, thanked them for cultivating Polish language learning and knowledge of Polish culture and customs.

‘I wish you, dear students, to be the best ambassadors of Poland in Lithuania. You are the generation that is free from prejudice, and you are the hope for building the best possible relations between our countries,’ – stated the First Lady of the Republic of Poland.

In addition, Mrs Kornhauser-Duda presented the flag of the Republic of Poland to the gymnasium principal as a symbol of recognition for the work of the educational establishment.

Following her visit to Lithuania, Mrs Kornhauser-Duda also met with students and teachers at the Czesław Miłosz Basic School in Pakenė, accompanied by the First Lady Diana Nausėdienė.

In particular, the First Lady of the Republic of Poland emphasised that her current visit to the school falls just before National Education Day in Poland (14 October) and just after World Teachers’ Day in Lithuania (5 October).

‘I would like to extend my best wishes to all teachers on the occasion of your holiday. First of all, I wish you a lot of strength in overcoming challenges and constant satisfaction from your work. Thank you very much for this extraordinary dedication,’ – said Mrs Kornhauser-Duda.

Furthermore, the First Lady of the Republic of Poland expressed her gratitude to Mrs Nausėdienė for giving Polish students the opportunity to take the Polish Matura exam in Lithuanian schools again. Mrs Kornhauser-Duda then presented the flag of the Republic of Poland to the school principal as a symbol of the Polish state’s gratitude for its efforts to develop Polish education in Lithuania.

Mrs Nausėdienė recalled that Polish schools in Lithuania have sister Lithuanian-language schools in Poland. 

‘Both the leaders of our two countries and we, the First Ladies, encourage the preservation of our cultures, learning from one another and contributing to the growth of the nation. We strive to maintain cultural diversity for centuries to come. This is the mandate of our ancestors, who built the states of Lithuania and Poland,’ – noted the First Lady of the Republic of Lithuania.

Both Agata Kornhauser-Duda and Diana Nausėdienė participated at the Fourth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, held in Kyiv on 12 September 2024. Child safety was the main topic at the event, and establishing a safe environment for children at school was one of the key focuses during the discussion.