Suggestion still not replied to .Lietuvos rytas managed to find out that the 34-year old resident of Vilnius, Viktoras Grodis, being held hostage in Chechnya may be exchanged for two Chechen citizens. High level Lithuanian officials have been approaching their Chechen and Russian colleagues on this possibility for freeing the Lithuanian. It was suggested to them to help exchange the Lithuanian hostage for two high security Chechen prisoners being held in Pravieniskiai high-security prison, 36 year old Sultan Mogamed and 27 year old Salavdiy Kagirov. These efforts have, however, so far amounted to nothing concrete.

Grodis left for Moscow in May of 1997. In September he called his family and said he was being held hostage in Chechnya - he was being held for ransom. Later a man calling himself only Mogamed began calling the Lithuanian man's loved ones. At first he demanded a half million dollars for letting the Vilnius resident go, but later discounted the price to 100,000 USD. If the ransom were not paid, the kidnappers threatened to send Grodis back in pieces. The most believable version of the story is that Grodis was tricked into traveling from Moscow to the Dagestan capital Machkaela and there was taken hostage and shipped to Chechnya.

A Lietuvos rytas correspondent met with both Chechen citizens inside the Pravieniskiai high security work colony and they talked about themselves as well as kidnapping in their country. "A real Chechen surely wouldn't get involved with that, because it's very difficult to kidnap a person and demand money for that person's release. Very powerful people are interested in this. Kidnappings happen according to orders and are also connected with politics. The people placing the orders pay the executors, tell them to take a person hostage and order them to be held as long as neccessary," affirmed Magomadov. According to him, Russia is interested in having foreigners not visit Chechnya. He is convinced that when a foreigner appears in Chechnya, Russia's security service either gives a command to kill them or kidnap them. "I reject the version whereby people are kidnapped in Chechnya without the interference of Russians," avowed Magomadov.

Asked who are the executors of that order, Magomadov answered: "Executors can be anybody, as long as they pay money. Bastards will arise to the occasion. Such can be found among Chechens, just like they can Kagirov to nine years of imprisonment for illegally crossing the border and for robbery.

The court determined that the Chechens on July 13, 1997 at the Hotel Lietuva robbed the advisor to the project on Government Reform and to the Municipal Ministry from the European Union's PHARE program, Spaniard [Italian?] Francisto Cardona Perreta. The Chechens breaking into the room beat up the Italian, threatened him with a gas pistol outfitted with a silencer and made off with 700 USD as well as a watch. In the court's decision, it was said that by committing this crime they had discredited all Lithuania. The two Chechens speaking to the journalist didn't deny their own guilt and a few times apologized to the Lithuanian people.

Magomadov had established a mercantile firm in Chechnya in 1994. At that time Magomadov made business contacts with one Vilnius company and began to visit Lithuania often. "The possibility here of trading in oil, metals and grain interestedme," Magomadov said.

During his last visit to Lithuania the Chechens reported they had gotten into trouble. Last year on July 12 outside the Hotel Lietuva three Russian speakers beat Magomadov up and took 800 USD. The next day Magomadov saw in the hotel one person who he took to be one of the robbers, and robbed him in his room with Kagirov. Only later did it become clear that that had been one high level PHARE official visiting Lithuania. "until they put them right in front of us, I was sure that that was one of thsoe robbers. During the sentencing, we didn't hide anything, we told all, apologized to the people of Lithuania and the victim. I was very ashamed on account of it all, because in Chechnya's darkest hour, Lithuania helped us always. And here we are arrived in Lithuania and accomplished such a piece of work," apologized Magomadov.

Magomadov says he has suffered in Lithuania before too. In 1995 someone beat him up and robbed him in Klaipeda. A year later he was attacked together with a friend in the Vilnius suburb of Seskines. That time the robbers managed to get 2,000 USD from him. Even so, Magomadov confirmed that after this event he didn't feel any hatred for Lithuanians and has quite a few friends here.

Kagirov is Magomadov's cousin once removed. Magomadov calls him his brother and tries to take care of him in the colony. Initially the Chechens were assigned to different groups, but later they wrote requests to the administration asking they be allowed to serve their sentences in the same group. Colony officials said Kagirov and Magomadov behave without any complaints .... The Chechens don't get into conflicts with other prisoners, but neither do they have any close friends among them.

Kagirov fought in the Russo-Chechen War, was wounded four times and received the pension of an invalid in the second group. "I also participated in military activities, but at that time there was a great shortage of weapons, so I later withdrew of my own will," said Magomadov. His brother, during the war, was taken, alone, into arrest by the Russians. After this incident, according to Magomadov, "my brother wasn't quite right in the head." Magomadov brought Kagirova to Lithuania hoping that he would heal here. "At that time in Chechnya there was no such possibility, and getting to Russia to heal wasn't successful at all," explained Magomadov.

Magomadov hinted that he felt guilty for bringing Kagirova to Lithuania, where he went to prison. "According to our traditions, the older answers for the younger countryman. And if something here happens to Kagirov, I until the end of my life will be marked with an indellible stain." Kagirov was silent during almost all of the conversation and didn't interrupt his elder who looks out for him, Magomadov, even once. Both Chechens said they would gladly agree to be transported to Chechnya to serve the rest of their sentences there, if only because there their relatives would be able to visit. They don't want to be imprisoned in a Russian prison, however.

Magomadov is married. His wife lives in Dzochargala with their three children, nine and seven-year old daughters as well as their eight year old son. Magomadov's house was destroyed during the war with Russia. His relative Kagirov is unmarried and until arriving in Lithuania lived in the city of Zakan Yurt.

Officials concerned with the freeing of Viktoras Grodis said they are not very sure that they will succeed in exchanging these Chechen citizens for the kidnapped Lithuanian. There is no information that the kidnappers are somehow related with Kagirov or Magomadov. If that doesn't come to pass, another possibility remains. The immediate relatives of the Chechens serving sentences in Lithuania could themselves seek out and negotiate with the criminals for the exchange.

Lithuania's Government has said that it will not pay ransom for the hostage because that will violate international rules and will promote terrorism. "The Foreign and Interior Ministries, making use of all channels and possibilities, constantly calls on responsible Russian and Chechen agencies as well as seeks all possible means to free Viktoras Grodis," it says in the Government's statement.

Wife of the kidnapped victim Rasa Grodiene said she doesn't have the 100,000 USD demanded by the kidnappers and doesn't know where to get it. Together with Grodis' parents seeking to free her husband by any available means, she opened an account at Lietuvos Taupomasis Bankas (www.ltb.lt) and asked the people of Lithuania to donate money. Currently a little over 20,000 litai have been gathered (only about 5,000 USD). Incidently, even a donation for 500 kroner (about 250 litai, or 62.50 USD) was received from Sweden.

Besides the multitude of telephone calls, demads to pay the ransom more quickly and threats, the hostage's loved ones also received a letter from him this year in April. A few days ago a representative of the kidnappers called once more Grodis' loved ones and again demanded money. As well, in Lithuanian there exists a video tape in which Grodis, filmed by a criminal in some closed chamber, asks his family's help. Officials who have seen the tape say Grodis looks to have suffered very much and is in very poor spirits.

A few weeks back the parliamentary group for solving the problems of Chehcnya approached the Vilnius Regional Prosecutor's Office. In their letter the parliamentarians informed of the hostage Grodis and expressed their opinion that the events surrounding his disappearance can be looked into having initiated a criminal case. Vilnius Region Senior Prosecutor Virginijus Sabutis said the criminal investagitive case was initiated because of the taking of a hostage: "We don't know exactly where he is held or disappeared. We can only believe that acts of violence were done to him in Chechnya. But as a possibility we have to investigate whether he was taken in Lithuania." Asked why a criminal investigative case was only started more than a half year after Grodis' kidnapping, Sabutis answered: "Until now nobody had approached an official institution with a report that some person had disappeared, even though much was written about that." In investigating this case Grodis' family and closest friends have already been questioned.

Currently a few other foreigners are being held hostage in Chechnya: 2 Hungarian, 2 Swedish citizens, two subjects of Great Britain as well as the citizens of other countries. The close ones of the kidnapped Hungarians were also sent a videotape casette. It is seen there how the kidnappers demanding ransom cut the fingers off their hostages.

A few days ago Swiss citizen Peter Colinger returned home from captivity in Chechnya. He was taken hostage in November, 1997. According to the reports of the foreign press, the kidnappers were paid a half million dollars' ransom in exchange for his freedom. Peter Colinger himself said that the bandits held him in some kind of chamber, locked in chains, fed him only bread, potatoes and tea. The Kidnappers told him more than once, that "it's just business, just for money." The money having been paid, the Swiss man was transported from Chechnya to Ingusetia and released.

The Atlas is being sold through a Lithuanian-American Scout Organization and Lithuanian-American Community Archives headquartered at the Jesuit Lithuanian Youth Center in Chicago and can be order via Lithuanian Global Resources.

It is often said that the best, most accurately written country guide does not descibe as well as an accurate map. For most lovers of the homeland, maps are like a great book. Wanting to produce such a good book for Lithuanian emigrees (escapees), we produced a one color, photographic copy of Lithuanian topographic maps in 1:100,000 scale. 1 kilometer of Lithuanias land equals 1 centimeter on our map. The smallest details are noted on the map: villages, estates, farms, small roads, creeks, ponds, and small forests. These are full size copies of independent Lithuania's military topographic maps. Maps not available from Lithuanian sources were obtained from German, Polish and Soviet Russian sources. These maps show the border agreements existing in 1920-1923. Assuming that people with a deep knowledge of maps will be reading this book, we've included no legend.

The publication of this book was the work of many. University of Notre Dame professor, Steponas Kolupaila contributed extensively from his collection. Significant efforts were put in by V. Z~emaitis, president of the Organization of Lithuanian Emigree Forestors. Technical problems were answered by V. Stasis~kis. This publication is more complete due to their efforts. Hopefully, this book will help those longing for their homeland to recall memories and visit far off corners of the land.

This book published 36 years ago has become rare. We've received messages from Lithuania that a republication was needed. Funds and time have allowed us to publish 500 copies of a second edition, most of which have been reserved for newly independent Lithuania. Many of the place names have faded from living memory. Although, this book may help some of those trying to recover family lands by identifying locations. This collection mostly serves history. We thank artist Vladas Vijeikius for the use of his publishing facilities. We thank Clementas Dedelis for his many hours spent preparing this book. We thank Reverend Juozas Prunskis whose Fund financed the reprinting of this book.

Vytautas Mikunas
President Governing Committee, Vydunas Fund
Lemont 1998

Today (July 4 - V.K.) the highest Lithuanian authorities will be shown the treasures of art of exclusive value from Vilnius Cathedral - the unique collection of about 270 applied art works which was kept in the special safes of storage until present time and is virtually unknown to society.

According to the director of Lithuanian Art Museum Romualdas Budrys, monstratios, goblets and other items made of gold and silver and decorated with precious stones were created by highest class jewelers and are invaluable national wealth of Lithuania.

If this collection would be taken abroad for exhibition some day, it could be estimated and insured for hundreds of millions of US dollars.

"I think that the value of these treasures excels the sums kept in the bank of Lithuania" - said R. Budrys.

Two art treasure-houses of great value had been accumulated in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania for hundreds of years: one of them was kept in the Lower Royal Castle, and the other one - in Vilnius Cathedral.

Presents of dignitaries, heads of foreign states and envoys to the Grand Dukes of Lithuania were kept in the Lower Royal Castle. Pope's viceregent B. Bongiovani, who had seen those riches, wrote that they even surpass treasures of Venice and Vatican. (??? - V.K.)

Riches of the Lower Castle were lost long time ago. Lithuania was overran by wars, the country was devastated by Swedish and Russian armies. Lot of art works were plundered and taken away. When the royal palace moved from Vilnius, the remaining portion of the treasures of the Lower Castle was taken to Krakow and Warsaw.

However, other riches remained in Lithuania, which could compete with the collection of art works of the royal palace. It were the treasures of Vilnius Cathedral.

Dignitaries and even members of the families of Lithuanian Grand Dukes presented Vilnius Cathedral with very expensive presents on various occasions - monstratios, goblets. They were ordered at the most famous European jewellers.

These monstratios and goblets look woven with subtle patterns of the finest golden and silver threads, are decorated with ornaments and small human figures and are considered as masterpieces of applied art by experts.

One of the most valuable creations from Vilnius Cathedral treasure-house is 16th century Great gothic monstratio with armorial bearings of Albertas Gostautas; it was presented to Vilnius Cathedral by his son Stanislovas, the first husband of Barbora Radvilaite, on foundation of Gostautas family chapel and mausoleum.

"I compare this monstratio with St. Ann's Church in Vilnius and is such a gothic masterpiece of applied arts as St. Ann's church in architecture. I have seen 16th century monstratio from Vatican in one exhibition in the Spanish city Seville. I was glad that our monstratio was on equal par with that universally famous religious art work." - said R. Budrys, as he characterised the Great gothic monstratio of Vilnius Cathedral, which is 152 centimetres high, weighs 20 kilograms and is made from gilded silver.

Presumably this monstratio was never used in liturgy. Simply it would be impossible to raise such heavy thing during service. Many European Cathedrals used to make reduced and lighter copies of especially valuable relics. The originals were most often kept in the storage of the Cathedral which was known only to the person specially assigned for their protection and maybe also to the bishop.

The original art works of jewellery of Cathedrals were hardly seen by anybody at all. Even rescuing the church property in the times of confusion only copies of the art works were frequently moved to safe places. Most often they were thought to be originals, while the real treasures remained hidden in stone walls of the Cathedral.

Usually European Cathedrals used to arrange 5-6 hiding places. They never announced their plans. It was considered top secret.

In troubled times Lithuanian dignitaries also kept their riches in the hiding places of Vilnius Cathedral. It is known from historical sources that Zygimantas the Senior kept the huge amount of golden coins bequeathed to his children in the storages of the Cathedral.

In the same way tapestries of Radvila and Sapiega families were brought to the Cathedral - now they are exhibited in the Museum of Applied Arts.

When Russian army approached Vilnius in 1655, efforts were undertaken to move the treasures of the Cathedral out of the city. One part of treasures was floated through Neris river, and another was carried in carts. Only the latter portion was saved. The boats sailing in Neris river were snatched by tsarist soldiers, and the further destiny of those art works is unknown. A lot of valuable historical relics were lost then - famous goblet presented to the Cathedral by Vytautas the Great, [kielikas], cross of Jogaila, goblet of Gostautas.

The riches that were taken away in carts were moved back to Vilnius Cathedral when the storm of war was over. However, when Lithuania got Vilnius back, the fate of the treasure-house of the Cathedral was totally unknown.

Generally, there is no information about seeing this collection of jewellery after the First World War.

Search for Vilnius Cathedral treasures began back in 1962. Vytautas Jakelaitis, the deputy minister of culture of that time urged the museum specialists to arrange the group of experts for gathering information about treasures of Lithuanian art mentioned in historical sources and trying to find out their destiny.

Paulius Galaune, regarded as patriarch of Lithuanian museum workers, once invited a group of art experts to his flat in Kaunas, Zaliakalnis. He offered to define specifically, what art works will be searched by certain people. In addition to other assignments, representative of the Museum of Lithuanian Art R. Budrys was obligated to accumulate knowledge about the treasures of Vilnius Cathedral.

The museum workers searched for the information on the treasures of Vilnius Cathedral in written sources and also looked around in Russian museums expecting to see something that could have been identified as part of Vilnius Cathedral collection according to descriptions.

Rumours were that in 1939, when Lithuanian state got back its old capital, the archbishop of Vilnius moved treasures of the Cathedral somewhere, as he departed to Poland. However, they were not confirmed. Even if some items could be taken away, it had to be only copies.

When R. Budrys visited Warsaw in 1971 and 1973, he met the director of National museum of Poland Stanislaw Lorentz, who worked as the chief preservation expert of cultural monuments in Vilnius and Naugardukas voivode districts before the Second world war.

This excellent expert of art history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania sincerely told he was not aware where treasures of Vilnius Cathedral could be, and he assured that this collection was not taken to Poland. S. Lorentz advised to search for the traces of treasures in Moscow.

R. Budrys succeeded in penetrating the storages of Moscow museums. Without advertising his search for Lithuanian art treasures he was looking for some thing that could belong to the treasures of Vilnius Cathedral

However, he failed to find anything of that kind.

The geography of the search narrowed. Quite well grounded suspicions were that the search should primarily focus on Lithuania. Some pre-war art experts of Vilnius also guessed that treasures could be hidden somewhere in the Cathedral itself.

However, there was no rush to search for treasures in the building of the Cathedral. There were apprehensions that Moscow could claim any especially valuable art works. In 1984-1985 the air conditioning system was installed in Vilnius Cathedral. At the same time the restoration of the church was started.

Swedish air conditioning system won the competition. Special channels had to be made for it. Before this work archaeological and architectural investigations had to be carried out firstly.

It was an excellent occasion to investigate the whole Cathedral and restore it at the same time. Without publicising it, the archaeologists also searched for the remains of Vytautas the Great. They also hoped to find treasures in some hiding place.

Findings were numerous: the remains of Stanislovas Gostautas were identified and repeatedly buried, the old foundation of the Cathedral was uncovered, lot of valuable scientific information acquired. The restoration works were completed only in 1988. After three months the Cathedral was returned to church-goers.

The laboratory of vibrotechnology under the guidance of Kazimieras Ragulskis sent its specialists for the investigation of the Cathedral. Using this technique firstly they checked places where, according to findings of earlier investigations and literature, various valuable items were kept: tapestries, the archive of the Capitula.

The experts also found about five places where empty cavities could be suspected. However, the walls were not ripped open at once. Slowly the places were checked one after another, but nothing was found.

It was 27th of March, 1985. Only now, after thirteen years, the events of that day were revealed to "Lietuvos rytas" by their witness R. Budrys: "We took counsel together with the investigator of the Cathedral Napalys Kitkauskas and decided to uncover one more particularly interesting place.

We suspected that we could find something there. The ultrasound device sent very strange signals in that place.

We prepared for taking photos, took packaging and sealing materials, metal boxes, and prepared some numbers of the Museum of Applied Art. You see, the law provided that treasures labelled with numbers of some museum could not be moved to any another place for permanent storage. So we decided to label treasures, if any, with numbers of the Museum of the Applied Art immediately.

Till the very last moment only N. Kitkauskas and I knew about these preparations.

On the fixed day we invited Juozas Stasiulaitis, the chief of Vilnius momuments' preservation inspection, and Stasys Cipkus, the head of the department of museum management of the ministry of culture. These men together with N. Kitkauskas and myself comprised the commission of four. We were overwhelmed with presentiment of some especially valuable findings.

We started to disassemble the wall. One longitudinal brick was removed, then another. Somebody's sceptical voice said" "There is nothing here!" . I took a crow, moved a brick and felt that it let go very easily. We continued to hammer, and the crow pierced into cavity in no time.

I had a flashlight. I threw some light into the interior and we saw the glitter of gold. I remember faces of us all turned pale".

The doors were immediately sealed. R. Budrys went to inform Jonas Bielinis, minister of culture at that time, while the rest members of the commission stayed in the cathedral, outside the locked doors.

It was decided that the commission would register all the found items, but would not announce it to the public. The inventory act was made in three copies, which was locked in safes in three different places.

The art works of treasure house were sealed in boxes and taken to one storage. Only few people new this.

Only superior authorities were informed about the findings by the minister of culture. After some time a small group of leaders of Soviet Lithuania came to see them. They were shown some art works from the treasure-house of the Cathedral.

Later the treasures were moved to Town Hall and placed into iron-barred and well-equipped storage (according to standards of those times). The investigation and preservation works were started there, but they were not publicised.

Why the information about treasure-house was concealed from society?

"I always thought that our tongue was our enemy - answered R. Budrys. - We did not want to advertise the findings because of safety considerations. Besides, till present time we had no possibilities to show the collection to society anyway".

For some time there was reluctance to spread information about treasure-house for political reasons as well. The onset of Lithuanian rebirth brought the increasing confrontation with the forces of soviet empire and its military structures. It imposed threat on the art treasures of this country. This danger was especially real in January of 1991.

"That night when the soviet tanks were already rolling towards TV tower, the treasures were hidden by us so that nobody could find them. It was done by commission of three people" - recalled R. Budrys.

After restoration of Lithuanian independence and withdrawal of Russian army, there was no urge to publicise the information about treasures because of criminal situation. Temptations for art collectors (primarily foreign) were also avoided.

Besides, there were no technical and financial possibilities to arrange the public exhibition of the treasure-house of Vilnius Cathedral, and it was chosen not to intrigue society.

"Now we can publicly rejoice at having such valuable collection of jewellery and show it to the world. It reflects the evolution of this branch of art from the times of foundation of Vilnius Cathedral. The oldest creation is gothic relic [relikvijorius] of St. Stanislovas, sent on the occasion of consecration of the Cathedral" - told R. Budrys.

It is expected that the exhibition of the treasure-house of Vilnius Cathedral may be arranged till the end of this year. However, the rooms of the Museum of Applied Art where this collection will be kept will not be accessed as easily as other halls.

According to the director of Lithuanian Art museum R. Budrys, the Church does not pretend to get the treasures of Vilnius Cathedral back.

When the Cathedral was returned to church-goers, R. Budrys was invited by Julijonas Steponavicius, archbishop of Vilnius. He said: "The best place for the masterpieces of religious art is a museum. Please keep them and show to the people".

These art works primarily belong to the whole nation. They cannot be used in contemporary religious ceremonies and, according to R. Budrys, are usually brought to museums in all the world.

Besides, the art works of jewellery require unique and modern protection, which cannot be granted in churches.

The list of Lithuanian surnames can be viewed at: http://www.webmart.net/~zemaitis/zemaitis.htm

Your surname and it's etymology would certainly be of interest, and you never know what sort of connections my turn up from elsewhere.

Names are spelled basically phonetically. The orthography tends to change because each language has different orthographic conventions.

Spelling of surnames varied all over the place in eastern Europe, since the Commonwealth of Poland-Lithuania was a multi-ethnic state in which a number of Languages were in use. Surnames sound different pronounced in Polish or Russian than they do in Lithuanian. There are also dialects. The Samogitians (lowland Lithuanians) speak a different dialect from the Aukstaicians (highlanders). Where my Zemaitis family lived, the Dzukish or Kapsas dialects were in use.

Do you know the meaning of your surname? Has the spelling changed in any way---Americanized, Polonized, Russianized, etc.? If you have the information and would like to have your name included on the list, please provide me with the above information. If you don't have all of the information, that is okay. I'll take whatever you have.

We Lithuanian-Americans have a strong desire to trace the origin of our Lithuanian surnames back to Lithuanian roots. Americans who have your surname would appreciate the information. I have been pretty lucky in tracing my roots, but there are a great number who have little or no information to go on.

In what city do you live? If you would like to have your surname and comments added to the list of surnames on the Zemaitis Homepage, please provide the name of the city in which you live to complete the posting.

Aciu,
Charles John Zemaitis
zemaitis@webmart.net
http:///www.webmart.net/~zemaitis/zemaitis.htm

This section is to acquaint you with some of the not for profit organizations helping Lithuanians and Lithuanians who have a business with whom other Lithuanians may do business.

The Lithuanians of America is a non-profit organization for Lithuanian-Americans based in Kansas City. The purpose of the organization is to promote the Lithuanian culture through education, dance, and language. We have several events per year, including a Christmas party with Kucios table and Independence Day celebration (2/15 this year). Membership is only $10 for a family or $7 for a single person. For more information, contact Kathy Hazlewood at khazlewo@kumc.edu or (913)262-7175.

Is your not-for-profit organizations not listed? Send an email to tirva@pdq.net with a brief description of your mission and get it listed.

Are you looking for a speaker for your next event? Author RAIMONDA MIKATAVAGE is not only a writer, but also a great public speaker. Please visit her site at http://www.GuestFinder.com/mikrai.htm

Jauzinios, the magazine of the Australian Lithuanian Youth Association is about to release edition 46 which contains articles about Congress held in Boston and information regarding the next Congress in Australia. It also has some local articles and information. For further details and subscription information email the editor L.Zdanius@latrobe.edu.au (Lukas Zdanius)

Translations International, base in Vilnius, offers translations to/from Lithuanian, Russian, and English. If you are a private individual, business, school, or government, no job is too large or too small for us. Our work is high-quality, fast, and costs considerably less than our competitors. If you want it done right and if you want to save money, contact us at:

A Lithuanian grammar, published in Lithuania a few months ago. An 800 page hard cover edition, published with the support of the Soros foundation, Lithuanian Academy of Sciences and Lithuanian government. The price is $40 for a single copy (with shipping and handling). Also available is the recently published LITHUANIA: IN HER OWN WORDS, an anthology of contemporary Lithuanian writing. As Vytautas Kubilius writes: The anthology marks the first serious attempt to introduce the Western reader to contemporary Lithuanian writing; its major concerns, stylistic currents, and most importantly, to the issue of a divided literature a historical situation experienced by most of the literature of Central and Eastern Europe. Price of a single copy is $22 (with shipping and handling). For more information email: Jkeleras@aol.com (Julius Keleras, Editor of Lithuanian-American weekly DARBININKAS, Chairman of Lithuanian PEN center in the U.S.)

LOSE FAT WHILE YOU SLEEP!! Take one tablespoon of Calorad in a full glass of water just before going to sleep on a three hour empty stomach and wake up thinner. Testimonials by fellow Lithuanians who have taken the product and had great results. Find out how by visiting http://www.eyiteam.com. The code is A9058T0986

GET PAID FOR DRINKING COFFEE. That's right! You can get paid for drinking gourmet coffee. Go to http://www.clubjoe.com/dist/10107 and find out how easy it is.

Join many Christians all across this country in the GREATEST Christian Business there is: SCRIPTURES (Salon, Nutrition, and Bible Studies) FREE information: http://get-it.net/cgi-bin/get-it

If you have a business or you are a not for profit organization and would like to advertise here, just email me and I will put it in. There will never be a charge for not for profit ads, business ads are also free at this time.

LITHUANIAN PAPERS is an 80 page journal, published annually in English by the Lithuanian Studies Society at the University of Tasmania (Australia). The latest issue, No.11/97, is bursting with topical articles and information. Professor Valdas Samonis discusses "Lithuania^Òs road to Europe^Ô and what Lithuania should do to gain admission to the European Union (EU). Howard Jarvis, an English journalist living in Vilnius, gives an account of Sofija Grauziniene's undeserved tragedy and appeals for help to continue his research. Other articles deal with understanding change in Lithuania, Baltic co-operation, Soviet conscripts, saving Jewish children, the cost of NATO enlargement and so on. There is poetry and a presentation of a Lithuanian sculptor, Teisutis Zikaras. Six books are reviewed. Many brief items record various Lithuanian events. Finally, some humor appears on the Back Page. All this is available at $6 (including surface postage) in US, Australian or Canadian currency. Please add $2 if airmail is required. Prepayment is not mandatory: you may order now by e-mail, address: A.Taskunas@utas.edu.au and pay when you receive the journal.