20 Years of the Lithuanian Section at EEB2!
As has now become tradition, the Lithuanian Section at EEB2 gathered at the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Belgium in September to celebrate the beginning of a new school year. It was a special opportunity for students, parents, teachers and members of the Lithuanian community to come together, wish one another a year of learning, energy and inspiration, and look ahead to the year to come. The occasion also brought together the youngest pupils, just beginning their school journey, and our final-year students, for whom this is their final year at school.
This year’s celebration was attended by Rasa Pečiukonienė, Education, Science and Sport Attaché of the Republic of Lithuania, as well as Daiva Jakavonytė and Vaida Jurgilė, Inspectors for Primary and Secondary Education in the European Schools. We were also particularly pleased to welcome Kamila Malik, Director of EEB2, and Kristiina Siimes and Alexia Giannakopoulou, Deputy Directors for Education. In her address, Director Kamila Malik emphasised the importance of fostering intercultural connections at EEB2, expressed her appreciation for the active involvement of the Lithuanian Section and wished it continued success in the years ahead.
This year’s celebration was special not only because it marked the beginning of a new school year, but also because the Lithuanian Section at the Brussels II European School is celebrating its 20th anniversary! Over the past two decades, the Section has become an important part of the EEB2 community, contributing to the preservation and promotion of the Lithuanian language, culture and identity.
The gathering at the Embassy provided a wonderful opportunity to meet, celebrate our students’ achievements and the growth of our community, and share thoughts about the future of the Lithuanian Section. This school year is particularly significant for Lithuania and the European Schools community for another reason: Lithuania is beginning its year-long Presidency of the European Schools network. This important occasion gives us another opportunity to reflect on the place of our school and the Lithuanian Section within the wider European context.
The celebration at the Embassy was also a beautiful reminder that a school is about much more than lessons and learning. It is a community in which we come together to preserve and create a living legacy of language, culture, traditions and a shared sense of belonging.
May the Lithuanian Section’s 20th anniversary year be filled with meaningful encounters, new discoveries, a strong sense of community and inspiring achievements!
