The exhibition #mEU20, dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Lithuania's membership of the European Union, tells the story of the long and difficult path Lithuania took to integrate into the European Community after the restoration of its independence.

Starting from the dissident and underground movements that fought for independence and international recognition, Lithuania took its first steps into the European Community, striving to achieve political and economic stability as well as international support.The exhibition illustrates how the threads of relations with the European Community were established and strengthened, from the first official meetings and the signing of treaties, to the negotiation of EU membership and the shaping of public opinion on the issue. Particular attention is paid to the 2003 referendum - which was of particular significance for Lithuania's membership of the European Union - and to the first year in the European Union, which led to a series of changes in the country's political as well as its economic development.

The exhibition also reflects the diversity of public attitudes towards the issue of Euro-integration, presenting the contradictions and the support that the country faced in its efforts to join the EU. "Homework", such as the closure of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant or the regulation of land sales to foreigners, shows the challenges Lithuania had to overcome in the integration process.

Visitors to the exhibition will have an exclusive opportunity to see the original treaty of Lithuania's accession to the European Union and the pen that was used to sign the historic document, as well as other artefacts related to the historical process.

The #mEU20 exhibition at the Lithuanian National Martynas Mažvydas Library is a guide that invites visitors to reflect on Lithuania's path to Europe, the significance of its membership of the European Union, and its future prospects.

The exhibition is on display in the atrium of the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania (3rd floor) and in the Cognitive Space-Laimė Lukošiūnienė Hall (5th floor).

The exhibition is on display from 26 April to 9 June 2024.
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The exhibition has been prepared by Mindaugas Tamošaitis, Dovydas Matrosovas, Sigita Černevičiūtė, Ilona Strumickienė, Jūratė Imbrasaitė, Andrius Šuminas, Evald Stasilo, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania. 

Exhibition architecture - Vytautas Gečas.

Graphic design - Emilija Dobrovolskienė, Brigita Bukialytė.
Coordinator Milda Dainovskytė.

We would like to thank the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Lithuania, the Representation of the European Commission in Lithuania, the Office of the Chief Archivist of the Republic of Lithuania, the New Archives of the State of Lithuania, the Central State Archives of the Republic of Lithuania, the Lithuanian Special Archive, and the Archive of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania for their assistance in the preparation of this exhibition, the National Museum of Lithuania, the Money Museum and the Bank of Lithuania, the Kaunas City Museum, the Vytautas Magnus War Museum, the Department of Statistics of the Republic of Lithuania, the State Border Guard Service of the Republic of Lithuania, the Radio and Television of Lithuania, the Lietuvos rytui, Lietuvos aidas, Respublika.

We would also like to thank Vilma Akmenyte-Ruzgiene, Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, Dalia Kutraite, Jonas Staselius, Giedre Streikauskaite, Andrejs Tomenko, Darius Žeruolis.

Organised by the Lithuanian National Martynas Mažvydas Library, the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.