Virtual exhibitions |

History of Lithuania‘s representation in Los Angeles

Confirmation by U.S. Secretary of State Robert A. Lovett that Julius J. Bielskis has been granted an exequatur on August 7, 1939, by which the United States of America recognizes him as the Honorary Consul of Lithuania in Los Angeles

Washington, D. C., March 31, 1948

Lithuanian Central State Archives, archive No. 1818

History of Lithuania‘s representation in Los Angeles

Lithuanian American event at the Statler Hilton Hotel

Giving a speech, Honorary Consul of Lithuania in Los Angeles, Julius J. Bielskis, fourth from the right – actress Rūta Lee-Kilmonytė (Kilmonis)

Photo by P. Jasukonis.

Los Angeles, 1950s

Lithuanian Central State Archives, P-38055

History of Lithuania‘s representation in Los Angeles

Photograph of the consuls and their wives attending a concert at the Los Angeles Philharmonic, published in the “Los Angeles Herald-Express“ newspaper

From the left: 1 – Adrian Hartog, Consul of the Netherlands; 2 – his wife; 3 – Walter Schmid, Consul of Switzerland, 4 – wife of the Consul of Spain; 5 – José Pérez del Arco, consul of Spain; 6 – wife of the Honorary Consul of Lithuania, Ona Bielskienė; 7 – Honorary Consul of Lithuania, Julius J. Bielskis

Los Angeles, March 28, 1952

Lithuanian Central State Archives, archive No. 656, summary No. 4, file No. 51, page 86

History of Lithuania‘s representation in Los Angeles

Request from Julius J. Bielskis, Honorary Consul of Lithuania in Los Angeles, to Povilas Žadeikis, Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary of the Republic of Lithuania in Washington, to extend his consular jurisdiction

October 26, 1955

Wishing to expand the activities of the Honorary Consulate beyond the city limits of Los Angeles, J. J. Bielskis approached the Lithuanian representative in Washington, as well as career consuls in the United States, on several occasions, proposing that he be assigned a consular district encompassing the entire state of California and other central western states of the USA. In turn, P. Daužvardis and J. Budrys discussed this matter with the Head of the Lithuanian Diplomatic Service, S. Lozoraitis; however, no decision was ever made, and the issue remained unresolved until the death of J. J. Bielskis.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, archive No. 1818

History of Lithuania‘s representation in Los Angeles

44th Convention of the Lithuanian American Organization “Knights of Lithuania“

Members: on the left – basketball player Pranas Lubinas, on the right – his wife Marija Agnesė Lubinienė, second from the right – diplomat Julius J. Bielskis.

Photo of P. Jasukonis.

Los Angeles, August 9–11, 1957

Lithuanian Central State Archives, P-37749

History of Lithuania‘s representation in Los Angeles

Participants of the Lithuanian Congress of the United States during a gala dinner at the Statler Hotel in Boston

Guests of honor seated to the left at the long table, from left to right: 5 – public figure; lawyer Jonas Šlepetys; 6 – public figure, businessman Antanas Rudis; 8 – public activist, engineer Eugenijus Bartkus; 9 – lawyer, diplomat Vaclovas Sidzikauskas; 10 – priest Pranciškus Juras; 11 – public figure, journalist, editor Leonardas Šimutis; 12 – bishop Vincentas Brizgys; 14 – senator, future president of the US John F. Kennedy; 15 – lawyer, diplomat Juozas Kajeckas; 17 – economist, diplomat Antanas Trimakas; 18 – lawyer, diplomat Julius J. Bielskis; 23 – public figure Marija Rudienė.

Boston, June 27–28, 1958

Lithuanian Central State Archives, P-54080

History of Lithuania‘s representation in Los Angeles

Membership Certificate of Julius J. Bielskis, Honorary Consul of Lithuania in Los Angeles, at the Lithuanian Club of Long Beach

December 9, 1960

Lithuanian Central State Archives, archive No. 1818

History of Lithuania‘s representation in Los Angeles

Appeal from the Honorary Consul of Lithuania in Los Angeles, Julius J. Bielskis, to the Representative of Lithuania in Washington, Juozas Kajeckas, regarding the expansion of consular jurisdiction

January 9, 1961

Lithuanian Central State Archives, archive No. 1818

History of Lithuania‘s representation in Los Angeles

Pro memoria of Stasys Lozoraitis, Head of the Lithuanian Diplomatic Service, regarding the expansion of consular jurisdiction of Julius J. Bielskis, Honorary Consul of Lithuania in Los Angeles

[Rome], December 16, 1963

Lithuanian Central State Archives, archive No. 658, summary No. 1, file No. 32, page 96

History of Lithuania‘s representation in Los Angeles

Congratulations from Stasys Lozoraitis, Head of the Lithuanian Diplomatic Service, on behalf of the Lithuanian Diplomatic Service, and personally, to the Honorary Consul of Lithuania in Los Angeles, Julius J. Bielskis, on the occasion of his 75th birthday and the 50th anniversary of his public service

Rome, January 2, 1966

Lithuanian Central State Archives, archive No. 1818

History of Lithuania‘s representation in Los Angeles

Confirmation by Chester C. Carter, Deputy Chief of the Diplomatic Protocol Division of the U.S. Department of State, that the U.S. government recognizes Julius J. Bielskis as Honorary Consul General of Lithuania in Los Angeles on January 5, 1966

Washington, D. C., January 6, 1966

To strengthen J. J. Bielskis’s position within the Consular Corps, efforts to grant him the rank of Honorary Consul General began in early 1965. His promotion coincided with his 75th birthday and the 50th anniversary of his service to the Lithuanian community and the Lithuanian state. Being elevated to the rank of Honorary Consul General enhanced J. Bielskis’s authority within the Consular Corps. Members of the Consular Corps were invited to various state and city events, universities, and even Hollywood. For Lithuania’s Honorary Consul, such events provided a valuable opportunity to remind Americans and fellow consuls about Lithuania, the life of the Lithuanian people under occupation, and their unyielding pursuit of freedom. Soon after, in 1967, J. Bielskis was elected second Vice–Dean of the Consular Corps in Los Angeles.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, archive No. 1818

History of Lithuania‘s representation in Los Angeles

Telegram from the Lithuanian Representative in Washington, Juozas Kajeckas, to Julius J. Bielskis on his recognition as the Honorary Consul General of Lithuania in Los Angeles

Washington, D. C., January 8, 1966

Lithuanian Central State Archives, archive No. 1818

History of Lithuania‘s representation in Los Angeles

Report from Julius J. Bielskis, Honorary Consul General of Lithuania in Los Angeles, to Juozas Kajeckas, Lithuanian Representative in Washington, regarding the plans for the commemoration of the Day of Restoration of the State of Lithuania

Los Angeles, January 23, 1968

In 1967, thanks to J. J. Bielskis, the mayor of Los Angeles proclaimed February 16 as “Lithuanian Day in Los Angeles,” and in 1968, “Lithuanian Week.” Other Californian cities, such as Santa Monica and Huntington Beach, followed Los Angeles' example. Additionally, the mayor of Long Beach proclaimed February 16 as “Lithuania Independence Restoration Day.” In 1969, for the first time in the history of February 16 celebrations in Los Angeles, the city’s mayor, together with Honorary Consul General of Lithuania in Los Angeles, J. J. Bielskis, and the representative of the Lithuanian American Council in Los Angeles, Antanas Skirius, raised the Lithuanian flag at the City Hall. That year, as many as three days in February (from the 14th to the 16th) were declared “Lithuanian Days” in Los Angeles.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, archive No. 1818

History of Lithuania‘s representation in Los Angeles

Confirmation by Elliot L. Richardson, Acting Secretary of State of the U.S., that the U. S. does not recognize the incorporation of Lithuania into the USSR and that the U.S. government recognizes Julius J. Bielskis as the Honorary Consul General of Lithuania in Los Angeles

Washington, D. C., May 16, 1969

Lithuanian Central State Archives, archive No. 1818

History of Lithuania‘s representation in Los Angeles

Greetings from the Lithuanian Representative in Washington, Juozas Kajeckas, to the Honorary Consul General of Lithuania in Los Angeles, Julius J. Bielskis, on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of his consular duties

Washington, D. C., August 5, 1969

Lithuanian Central State Archives, archive No. 1818

History of Lithuania‘s representation in Los Angeles

Bastille Day celebration in Los Angeles

The Consul General of France, Didier Raguenet, with his wife, welcomes the Honorary Consul General of Lithuania in Los Angeles, Julius J. Bielskis, and his wife as they arrive for the commemoration.

Los Angeles, June 14, 1971

From the newspaper “Laisvoji Lietuva“ (“Free Lithuania“), Chicago, August 12, 1971

Lithuanian Central State Archives, archive No. 658, summary No. 1, file No. 32, page 115

History of Lithuania‘s representation in Los Angeles

Formal note from Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley to Julius J. Bielskis, Honorary Consul General of Lithuania in Los Angeles, regarding the identification card issued to him as the accredited representative of the government of Lithuania

Los Angeles, October 3, 1974

Lithuanian Central State Archives, archive No. 1818

History of Lithuania‘s representation in Los Angeles

Official reception and honoring of Simas Kudirka in Los Angeles

In the center, from left: 1 – Commander of J. Daumantas unit of the Lithuanian Riflemen‘s Union, Kazys Karuža; 2 – Simas Kudirka; 3 – Honorary Consul General of Lithuania in Los Angeles, Julius J. Bielskis; 4 – Scout leader Vytautas Vidugiris.

Photo by P. Jasiukonis.

Los Angeles, [December 22, 1974]

Lithuanian Central State Archives, P-37769

History of Lithuania‘s representation in Los Angeles

Official reception and honoring of Simas Kudirka in Los Angeles

The flag is raised by Simas Kudirka (on the left) and the Honorary Consul General of Lithuania in Los Angeles, Julius J. Bielskis, with Scout leader Vytautas Vidugiris standing next to them.

Photo by P. Jasiukonis.

Los Angeles, [December 22, 1974]

Lithuanian Central State Archives, P-37772

History of Lithuania‘s representation in Los Angeles

Official reception and honoring of Simas Kudirka in Los Angeles

Talking by the St. Casimir‘s church (from the left): 2 – Genutė Kudirkienė; 3 – Honorary Consul General of Lithuania in Los Angeles, Julius J. Bielskis; 4 – Simas Kudirka.

Photo by P. Jasiukonis.

Los Angeles, [December 22, 1974]

Lithuanian Central State Archives, P-37778

History of Lithuania‘s representation in Los Angeles

Official reception and honoring of Simas Kudirka in Los Angeles

Standing on the first row at the center (from the left): 1 – Honorary Consul General of Lithuania in Los Angeles, Julius J. Bielskis; 2 – Simas Kudirka; 3 – Genutė Kudirkienė; 4 – Ona Kudirkienė; 5 – prelate Jonas Kučingis.

Photo by P. Jasiukonis.

Los Angeles, [December 22, 1974]

Lithuanian Central State Archives, P-37781

History of Lithuania‘s representation in Los Angeles

Official reception and honoring of Simas Kudirka in Los Angeles

From the right: 1 – actress Rūta Lee-Kilmonytė (Kilmonis); 5 – Honorary Consul General of Lithuania in Los Angeles Julius J. Bielskis; 6 – Simas Kudirka; 7 – Genutė Kudirkienė; 8 – prelate Jonas Kučingis; 9 – Ona Kudirkienė.

Photo by P. Jasiukonis.

Los Angeles, [December 22, 1974]

Lithuanian Central State Archives, P-37789

History of Lithuania‘s representation in Los Angeles

Official reception and honoring of Simas Kudirka in Los Angeles

At the center, Simas Kudirka is being greeted. Second from the left – poet Bernardas Brazdžionis.

Photo by P. Jasiukonis.

Los Angeles, [December 22, 1974]

Lithuanian Central State Archives, P-37790

History of Lithuania‘s representation in Los Angeles

Official reception and honoring of Simas Kudirka in Los Angeles

At the center – actress Rūta Lee-Kilmonytė (Kilmonis) and Simas Kudirka.

Photo by P. Jasiukonis.

Los Angeles, [December 22, 1974]

Lithuanian Central State Archives, P-37793

History of Lithuania‘s representation in Los Angeles

California Lithuanian Medical Association

Seated at the front row (from the left): 1 – Vytautas Čekanauskas; 3 – Dr. Mykolas Devenis. Standing behind him – Lithuanian and American Lithuanian public figure Alena Vileišytė-Devenienė.

California, around 1975

Lithuanian Central State Archives, P-43875

History of Lithuania‘s representation in Los Angeles

Julius J. Bielskis

Photo by P. Jasiukonis.

Los Angeles, around 1976

Lithuanian Central State Archives, P-37440

History of Lithuania‘s representation in Los Angeles

Commemoration of the Day of Restoration of the State of Lithuania in Los Angeles in 1976

On the front row from the left: Honorary Consul General of Lithuania in Los Angeles, Julius J. Bielskis; Chairman of the American Lithuanian Council, Dr. Kazys Bobelis; and Julius J. Bielskis‘ wife, Ona Bielskienė.

Los Angeles, February 15, 1976

Lithuanian Central State Archives, P-44720

History of Lithuania‘s representation in Los Angeles

Commemoration of the Day of Restoration of the State of Lithuania in Los Angeles in 1976

From the left: 2 – Chairman of the American Lithuanian Council‘s Los Angeles department, Vytautas Čekanauskas, 3 – Honorary Consul General of Lithuania in Los Angeles, Julius J. Bielskis.

Los Angeles, February 15, 1976

Lithuanian Central State Archives, P-44722