In 2013, the “Švieskime Vaikus” charity and support fund was established, one of the main goals of which is to provide children’s libraries in towns and villages with the best works of literature by Lithuanian authors.
Over the years, the foundation has published 91 books by Lithuanian authors, with a total circulation reaching nearly 2 million copies.
The “Let’s Educate Children” foundation is engaged not only in publishing children’s books but also focuses on supporting national creators, providing them with opportunities to share their stories and connect with readers. As part of its mission, the foundation organizes book presentations, author meetings with readers, school visits, and events in public spaces.
Each year, in collaboration with the Lithuanian Writers’ Union, the foundation announces the “National Children’s Literature Competition,” which typically attracts around 56 authors submitting approximately 75 works.
The best entries are selected from the submissions, with the winning authors awarded cash prizes and stork statuettes crafted by folk artist Marijus Stošys.
The winning books are published with a minimum print run of 15,000 copies as part of the “Children’s Library” series and are donated to libraries, schools, kindergartens, and other community institutions.
Every year, the “Children’s Library” book sets reach 1,373 libraries and their branches, along with more than 2,000 other institutions.
The “Švieskime Vaikus” Foundation also actively contributes to the preservation of traditions. In 2018, on the occasion of the centenary of the restoration of the Lithuanian State, kindergartens in the country were presented with a special gift – modern, stylised national costumes.
The designer Juozas Statkevičius created them, taking into account the uniqueness of each of Lithuania’s ethnic regions, the colours, patterns of fabrics and stripes. For this project, modern strips were woven especially for this project, based on authentic samples. 6592 costumes were made for kindergartens in Aukštaitija, 5132 for Dzūkija, 1172 for Suvalkija, 5104 for Žemaitija and Little Lithuania. In total, the Foundation has produced and donated 18,000 costumes for children.
