Echoes of Lithuania (Ecos de Lituania) is Latin America’s only Lithuanian radio program, produced in the municipality of Berisso in Buenos Aires, Argentina, by Juan Ignacio Fourment Kalvelis. Juan (aka Jonas Kalvelis) is known to many Lithuanians throughout the world for his activities in the Lithuanian Youth Association and his dedicated work as director and producer of the radio program. He also represents South America on the Lithuaninan Parliament (Seimas)-World Lithuanian Community Commission.
According to Wikipedia, the program was originally founded in 1947 by Zeferinas Junkevicius, a Lithuanian-Argentinean who wanted to unite Latin America’s Lithuanian diaspora with a broadcast covering a host of topics including Lithuanian sports, tourism, news, recipes, music, history and, traditions in the Spanish language. The program operated in Argentina until 1971. During those years the program was broadcast live from different Argentinean radio stations such as “Radio Libertad”, “Radio Antártida” and “Radio Mitre”. Throughout the “Junkevicius Era” all the broadcasts ended with the pronouncement: “Sooner or later Lithuania will be free again”.
In 2003, with Lithuania free and independent of the Soviet Union, Juan Ignacio Fourment Kalvelis, a young journalist and member of the Lithuanian community in Argentina, decided to revive “Echoes of Lithuania” following the steps and values of Zeferinas Junkevicius. The broadcast has won a number of awards in South America, including “Gaviota de Oro” and “Lanín de Oro” as well as recognition by the Lithuanian government.
On August 11 of this year, Echoes began its 17th season. It can be heard on Fridays from 9 to 10 pm Argentina time (1 hour ahead of Toronto, i.e. Central Time), or via internet at www.fmdifusionberisso.com.ar. Contact by email: [email protected]
