On August 25, 2025, the Lithuanian Embassy in India celebrated the 400th anniversary of the first Lithuanian in India with a series of cultural events in Old Goa.
An oak sculpture of Andrius Rudamina SJ, the first recorded Lithuanian in India, created by renowned Lithuanian woodcarver Juozas Kalinauskas in traditional folk wood-carving style, was unveiled at the Pilgrimage of Faith exhibition in Se Cathedral, Old Goa. The ceremony was led by H.E. Diana Mickevičienė, Ambassador of Lithuania to India, and H.E. Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa, Daman and Diu.
In her speech, Ambassador Mickevičienė highlighted that Rudamina was the first human bridge between Lithuania and India, noting the unique linguistic connection between Lithuanian and Sanskrit. Cardinal Ferrão praised Rudamina’s courage and determination to learn about Indian life and build bonds of friendship in 17th-century Goa.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, State Secretary of the Holy See, sent a letter conveying the greetings and blessings of His Holiness Pope Leo XVI, commending Rudamina’s role in fostering interreligious and ecumenical dialogue.
Following the unveiling, a book on Andrius Rudamina authored by H.E. Laimonas Talat-Kelpša, former Ambassador of Lithuania to India and current Foreign Secretary of Lithuania, was launched at the Christian Art Museum of Goa. The book, illustrated by Elzė Milašiūtė of the Vilnius Academy of Arts, narrates Rudamina’s journey to India.
H.E. Sigita Maslauskaitė Mažylienė, Ambassador of Lithuania to the Holy See, painter, and art historian, also delivered a talk on parallels between Christian art in Lithuania and India.
To honor Rudamina’s legacy and mark 130 years since the visit of the first known Indian to Lithuania, Parsi scholar Dr. J.J. Modi in 1895, Lithuania and India jointly declared 2025–2026 as the Year of People-to-People Connections.
Lithuania’s wood-carving tradition of dievdirbystė has been recognized by UNESCO as a masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage.
The events in Old Goa drew members of the local community, Church authorities, Honorary Consuls of Lithuania in India, and friends of Lithuania from across the country.
Andrius Rudamina, a Jesuit from near Vilnius, arrived in Goa on August 22, 1625, at the age of 32. He later left for China in 1626.
Courtesy: Facebook page of the Embassy of Lithuania in India