VILNIUS - If you know the identity of the first king of Lithuania or author of some of the country's most famous poems and you aren't Lithuanian, then you could find yourself on a plane to Lithuania or with a sack full of prizes.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Lithuania is inviting foreign citizens, who take interest in Lithuania's history, culture and everyday politics to test their knowledge by taking the quiz "Millennium of Lithuania. Culture and History" and to win a trip to Lithuania and tour of the capital.
The MFA is using the 15-question quiz as a clever method of promoting the country's rich history and rewarding those who learn it.
"This is the millennial celebration of the country and the culture capital year, so this is good timing to promote Lithuania to foreigners. The ministry organized the quiz to attract attention and use an attractive idea to promote the country to foreigners," head of the MFA's communications department, Rolandas Kacinskas told The Baltic Times.
"We will pay for two people to come to Lithuania and have a tour of the city. I don't want to disclose the identity of the other interesting prizes, but they will be books and souvenirs and so on," he said.
"In 1009, the name of Lithuania was mentioned in the Annals of Quedlinburg for the first time. This year Lithuania celebrates its millennium anniversary and invites guests to visit this country of an age-old history," the MFA said.
One of the participants, who answers all questions correctly, will win a four-day trip to Lithuania for two people. The winner will be determined by a draw.
"During their stay in Lithuania, the winner of the main prize will see Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, also Trakai and KernavÄ—, the ancient capital cities of Lithuania, the Baltic seaside and the Curonian Spit. They will have an opportunity to take part in the events of Vilnius 's European Capital of Culture and celebrations of the millennium of Lithuania's name."
The next 10 participants selected in the quiz draw, who answered the questions correctly, will win smaller prizes.
You can take the quiz at
http://quiz.mfa.lt until July 15.
The winner of the main prize of the quiz will be announced on July 20 on the Web site. The winner will also be contacted personally.
