The Lithuanian American Community, together with the Lithuanian American Youth Association and with the support of the Lithuanian Foundation, is organizing the ‘Šaknys’ project in Pennsylvania on August 8–16, 2026 (project leader: Vilius Žalpis). This long‑running initiative is designed for young people of Lithuanian heritage living in the United States who wish to better understand their cultural roots and contribute to preserving the history of the Lithuanian diaspora.

Young adults aged 18–30 are invited to join the project — a meaningful summer week dedicated to meeting like‑minded peers and contributing to community work. Registration is open until May 20.

What will participants do?

During the project, participants will visit and help maintain old Lithuanian cemeteries across the United States, learn about their histories, discuss the importance of heritage preservation, and take part in sessions focused on strengthening Lithuanian identity and cultural connection. This is not only an opportunity to do meaningful work, but also to see firsthand how traces of Lithuanian history have endured in different regions of the United States.

Why is it worth participating?

‘Šaknys’ offers an opportunity to learn more about the history of the Lithuanian American Community, discover your family or cultural heritage, strengthen your connection to Lithuanian identity, and build new friendships with young people from across the country. Participants often say that this experience becomes one of the most memorable weeks of their summer.