@EUinAus caught up with Amy to find out more!

Q. Tell us about your Lithuanian-Australian heritage

My family story would be one very familiar to a lot of Lithuanian-Australians - my father fled his homeland as a young boy with his mother, my grandmother, during WWII, leaving behind family, possessions and all they knew, eventually landing in Melbourne.  We were raised as Lithuanian-Australians, celebrating as many of the traditions as we could, while trying to help family left behind.  My Oma (her choice of name based on a favourite family friend) was able to re-connect with her siblings following independence. *I imagine I have eaten more beetroot and pickled fish than most of my friends and I was definitely the only one in my class being sent to school with herring!

Q: What do love about Lithuania?

I love how forward thinking it is as a nation, and the courage it shows within the international community, speaking up for nations under threat or less powerful. I love the traditions and the food, and culture, and how it may be a small nation, but is quite mighty.  

Q: Do you have a favourite dish or word?

I make potato pancakes as regularly as I can, and am a very big fan of Cepelinai and Krupniks.  My Oma used to always say things were only "nine seas away" which she said was an old saying in her family, and I always loved that. 

Q. Can you speak Lithuanian? And have you travelled there?

Unfortunately not, other than hello, father, love you, and thank you! I've never had a chance to visit Europe, and it will be the first place I go when I do,  but my sister took our grandmother's ashes to Vilnius, so she could be laid to rest near her family. 

Anything else you would like to add?

I love being part of the Lihuanian-Australian family, and always feel a pang of connection when someone reaches out to me, based on my surname, to ask if we share a heritage.  It's a small and exclusive club, but there is an instant bond at finding someone who shares your culture.