VOIWORLD/Diplomacy desk
On July 25, 2025, Lithuanian Embassy in India has celebrated 400 years anniversary of the first Lithuanian in India with several cultural events in old Goa.
The oak sculpture of Andrius Rudamina SJ, first recorded Lithuanian in India, created by famous Lithuanian woodcarver Juozas Kalinauskas in traditional Lithuanian folk wood-carving style od idol making was unveiled by HE Diana Mickevičiene and HE Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa, Daman and Diu in the Pilgrimage of Faith exhibition of Se Cathedral, Old Goa.
In her inaugural speech Ambassador Mickeviciene emphasized that Andrius Rudamina opened the window to India for Lithuanians of the 17th century. His role in Lithuania-India connections is essential as he became the first human bridge between Lithuanian and Indian people who have been already connected through unique linguistic closeness between Lithuanian language and Sanskrit.
At the inaugural event Cardinal Ferrăo praised the courage and determination of the young pilgrim from Lithuania who eagerly wanted to learn about Indian way of life and to establish first bonds of friendship in the 17th. century Goa.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, State Secretary of the Holy See has sent a letter to Cardinal Ferrăo conveying the greetings and blessings of His Holiness Pope Leo XVI to those gathered for the commemoration of Andrius Rudamina SJ and praising his role in fostering interreligious and ecumenical dialogue which serves as an inspiration for today’s activities of the church.
After unveiling of the sculpture, the book on Andrius Rudamina was also launched at the Christian Art Museum of Goa. Authored by HE Mr Laimonas Talat-Kelpša, former ambassador of Lithuania in India and currently a Foreign Secretary of Lithuania and illustrated by Elzė Milašiũte of Vilnius Academy of Arts, the book tells the story of young Rudamina on his way to India.
HE Ms Sigita Maslauskaitė Mažyliene, Ambassador of Lithuania to Holy See, and accomplished painter and art historian also gave a public talk on parallels between motives and symbols in Christian art of Lithuania and India.
To honour the legacy of Andrius Rudamina and to also mark 130 years from the visit to Lithuania of the first known Indian – Parsi scholar Dr J.J.Modi in 1895 Lithuania and India have agreed to jointly celebrate 2025 -2026 as the Year of People-to-People Connections.
Lithuania’s wood-carving art form of God making (dievdirbystė) has been recognized as the masterpiece of UNESCO oral and intangible heritage.
The festivities in Old Goa were well attended by local community, Church authorities, Honorary Consuls of Lithuania in India, friends of Lithuania in different parts of India.
Andrius Rudamina was a young Jesuit who arrived in Goa on August 22, 1625. Born close to Lithuanian capital Vilnius the boy had unstoppable wish to go to India and travelled there at the age of 32. He left Goa for China in 1626 and
