The procession goes on and on. Nearly two thousand people wave, hold flags and signs as they walk in a long line through the city. Among them are people of all ages: teenagers, working-age adults, seniors. The townspeople wave back, and everyone knows who these people are. Would you believe they are Rotarians? Believe it – in Lithuania our organisation radiates vitality.
I myself had the chance to march in the Rotariada parade in Palanga at the beginning of September. I drove to the Lithuanian seaside town a few days earlier together with my clubmate Hannele Kauranne. I was there to attend the Rotary Action Summit, and Hannele to help with the
arrangements for Baltic Sea RYLA. Rotary’s super week also included training for incoming district governors from the Baltics, Scandinavia and Germany (Rotary zones 15, 16, 17 and 18).
What exactly is the Rotary Action Summit?
The Board of Rotary International consists of the world president (this year Nigerian Olayinka “Yinka” Babalola) and the Board Directors. Each director is responsible for two zones and the training of their district governors. Often the directors join forces and organise the training together,
as they did this year: Soffía Gísladottír from Iceland and Christine Buering from Germany.
Director Christine Buering, event chair Mingailé Scherer, World President Yinka and Director Soffía Gísladottír dancing on the summit stage. Photo: Aldas Kazlauskas.
And when the incoming district governors are gathered, it makes sense to organise other inspiring programmes that us regular Rotarians can join. This part is called the Action Summit, and it includes a great variety of programmes from foundation seminars to workshops, inspirational talks and gala dinners.
At the White Dinner, everyone dressed in white! Photo: Aldas Kazlauskas.
At the Rotary Action Summit in Palanga we naturally heard from world president Yinka, who reminded us of the importance of stories. New members join when we share our own Rotary highlights and invite friends to participate in practical service. A memorable speech was also given
by Brian Rusch from the USA, who emphasised the importance of diversity in our organisation. Many other Finns from different districts attended the talks. I believe everyone found their favourites in the rich programme.
Young Rotary power
Even between the seminar sessions things were happening: at the youth centre amphitheatre, the founding of a new Rotaract club and a new Interact club in Lithuania was celebrated with a drum orchestra and young singers. Lithuania already has around ten Rotaract clubs for 18–30-year-olds and a handful of Interact clubs for under-18s. A new Rotary generation is sprouting fast!
Lithuania’s newest Rotaract club was officially chartered, and its president received the presidential chain of office. Photo: Aldas Kazlauskas.
The neighbouring city of Klaipeda’s university, its science and technology centre, and the 100kilometre sandspit known as the Curonian Spit hosted young leaders from the Baltic Sea countries at BASRAN Baltic Sea RYLA. The young participants learned about the state of the
Baltic Sea and sought solutions together with experts. From our district, Brendan Tally participated, sent by the Finlandia Hall club and also president of the Helsinki Rotaract Club.
The RYLA participants had the opportunity to visit the world-famous Curonian Spit. Photo: Erika Zavacko.
Rotariada moves thousands of Rotarians
The Rotariada parade marched joyfully through the streets of the seaside town of Palanga. Photo: Aldas Kazlauskas.
Lithuanian Rotarians organise a twice-yearly sports competition between clubs, Rotariada. The opening procession gathered at the stadium, where speeches were held, folk dances performed and the Rotariada flame lit. Not even wild rain showers dampened the atmosphere: clubs prepared to compete in running, pétanque, darts and other sports, and international guests marvelled at the Rotary energy not seen in the Nordics for quite some time.
I myself walked the five kilometre End Polio Now walk and enjoyed local cabbage rolls afterwards. The evening culminated in the gala concert, where clubs and athletes received their awards and organisers their thanks. Dozens of young volunteers who had helped with all practical arrangements also climbed onto the stage. As the charismatic singer of the Queen tribute band sang together with the cheering audience: “Friends will be friends!” – events like this create, in addition to everything else, a great deal of Rotary friendship across borders.
It is truly worth seeking new inspiration from further afield from time to time. Your next opportunities are the 2027 Rotary International Convention in Barcelona in June and the next Action Summit, organised jointly by as many as five directors, in Bari, Italy in September.
Essi Isomäki, Finlandia Hall RC
Essi Isomäki, President of the Finlandia Hall Club, with Rotary founder Paul Harris. Rotary had a strong presence throughout the streets of Palanga.
