Journalists’ Exchange Nahaufnahme (Close-Up) - Vilnius

Monika Griebeler
Age: 28 Workplace: Deutsche Welle, Bonn Topics: Politics, the arts Host workplace: News portal Delfi, Vilnius Duration of stay: March 2013 What I want to report on: The progress made by a nation in its independence and on stories and people I meet on location How I have seen Lithuania up to now: As a “perceived dwarf”, a small country with great potential – and with an old and alternative culture.

Her Lithuanian exchange partner Vytenė Stašaitytė has been reporting from Bonn in December 2012.

Bonn, 9.5.2013: Grybauskaitė, Lithuania’s Iron Lady

It’s called the “political Oscar”: Whoever receives the Charlemagne Prize, has made a name for themselves in Europe – as has this year’s awardee: Lithuania’s President Dalia Grybauskaitė. Her style of governing is, however, not undisputed.More ...

Copyright: Monika Griebeler/“Luise” Alfreda Pipiraitė

Vilnius/Bonn, 14.3./8.5.2013: The Forgotten “Wolf Children”

The Second World War ended on 8 May 1945 – but not for the German “wolf children.” Alone, they made their arduous way from East Prussia to Lithuania. It was a decision the consequences of which they still feel today.More ...

Vilnius/Bonn, 8.3./7.5.2013: “The War Hasn’t Ended” – Interview with the Writer Alvydas Šlepikas

After the Second World War, thousands of German “wolf children” fled to Lithuania. The subject of their fate was taboo until Alvydas Šlepikas wrote about it in My Name is Marytė, the Lithuanian Book of the Year 2012.More ...

Vilnius, 15.3.2013: Behind North Korea’s Barbed Wire – An Interview with Marc Wiese, director of Camp 14

A film more brutal than any fiction – because it tells a true story: from birth, Shin Dong-Hyuk knew nothing but forced labour, hunger and arbitrary rule. He was born in a North Korean labour camp – and was destined to die there. Camp 14: Total Control Zone by German director Marc Wiese recounts Shin’s story. It’s playing at the cinema Pavasaris for four days.More ...

Vilnius, 10.3.2013: Gorbachev’s Visit to Lithuania’s Model Soviet Village (2)

Following the footsteps of Gorbachev: In January 1990, two months before Lithuania’s independence was re-established, the head of the Soviet empire visited the Lithuanian village of Bridai. Contemporary witnesses remember the days before and after the 11th of March. By Monika Griebeler and Vytenė StašaitytėMore ...

Vilnius, 10.3.2013: Gorbachev’s Visit to Lithuania’s Model Soviet Village

January 1990: Lithuania was counting down its final days as part of the Soviet Union, when unexpectedly Mikhail Gorbachev visited the country. We met with contemporary witnesses in the village of Bridai. They remember the Soviet times and recall juicy details from the state visit. By Monika Griebeler and Vytenė StašaitytėMore ...

Vilnius, 8.3.2013: Lithuanian Women Shattering the Glass Ceiling

So far there is no country in the EU in which an equal number of women and men have executive positions. Lithuania, however, is not far from it.More ...

Litauens Präsidentin Dalia Grybauskaite (Copyright: Šarūnas Mažeika/Delfi)

Vilnius, 8.3.2013: “In Reality, We Already Have the Euro” – An Interview with the Lithuanian President Grybauskaite

Lithuania wants to join the eurozone in 2015 - despite the crisis. In an interview, President Dalia Grybauskaite explains why she is still convinced the euro is a good choice and where the southern EU states went wrong.More ...

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