Lithuanian Christmas starts in Stratford

Meridian Square was filled with music and dance and the bustle of a Lithuanian market selling traditional food, Christmas specialties, crafts and jewellery.

Executive member for community forums, Councillor Richard Crawford joined the Ambassador of Lithuania, His Excellency Vygaudas Usackas in lighting up a Christmas tree donated to Newham by the Lithuanian Embassy.

The ceremony was followed by Christmas carols and songs performed by children's choirs Moksliukas and Harmonija and folk dances performed by the Saduto dance group.

Councillor Crawford said: "I would like to thank the people of Lithuania for presenting this fabulous tree to Newham and for organising this most amazing Christmas fair.

"This has been a most enjoyable evening with plenty of good food and entertainment and, of course, good company.

"Newham's Lithuanian community plays an important part in making the borough the vibrant and culturally diverse place that it is."

His Excellency Vygaudas Usackas said: "This celebration was a joint project of the Lithuanian Chamber of Commerce in the UK and the Embassy of Lithuania. It aims to show Lithuanian Christmas traditions such as folk music, songs and dances to the people of Newham. We hope that everyone enjoyed the art, craftmanship and food sampling.

"We also do hope that having experienced some of the Lithuanian culture, people will be attracted by the invitation to visit Lithuania and its capital city Vilnius, which will be the European City of Culture in 2009.

"May I wish everyone all the joys and blessings of the holiday season and extend best wishes for the coming year."