Living in your thirties: think Lithuania

People in their thirties. High chances that you know someone, you are one or you remember being one yourself. It is an age you start auditing life’s sense and satisfaction.

Science says that we peak at everything in our thirties – career, finances, profession, family and meaningful partnerships. We know who we are and what we stand for.

Most scientists win their Nobels and chess players excel in chess while in their thirties. Our bone mass is strongest and densest in our 30s – your friend who has just done the first marathon most probably is in his or her thirties, too.

Before you start scanning your immediate environment looking for suitable samples, we have a country that perfectly resembles the trend. Lithuania.

On 11 March 2020, Lithuania will be celebrating the 30^th anniversary of the restoration of independence. Drawing strength from centuries of tradition of statehood, Lithuania was the first to brake from the Soviet Union – a step that has contributed to the fall of the oppressive Empire.

Our quest for national freedom was followed by the resolve of our people to take destiny in their own hands and succeed. We emerged as a stronger society with democratically functioning public bodies, financial stability and progress as well as growing wellbeing of the people.

Lithuania’s thirties gave rise to a generation of true change-makers who spark creativity, seize scientific opportunities and come up with financial solutions beyond national boundaries.

We talk about our people who make significant imprint on the world’s culture, art and sports. The people who advance the world’s life sciences to improve human health. The people who master technology innovations and financial services.

Distinctive brand: lasers and life sciences

If you have seen a laser in the laboratories of the EU, USA or Japan, it is a high chance it comes from Lithuania. Over the years, the cutting-edge laser research has turned laser technologies into our signature brand, the ’Mercedes’ of Lithuania.  

As for the Nobel, which, science says, comes around one’s thirties, we count several Nobel prize winners of Lithuanian origin so far, but we keep our fingers crossed for our biochemist Virginijus Šikšnys, whose research in molecular scissors (a revolutionary genome editing tool CRISPR-Cas9) has already been awarded by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters in 2018.

Lithuania’s life sciences industry is seen as one of the most advanced in Central Europe. Setting trends in research, collaborating with foreign biotechnology companies and universities and exporting to over 100 countries, Lithuania steadily sets the foot in industry that is expected to claim 5% share of GDP in 2030.

Clear mindset and vitality: business and sustainability

Agility and experience has made Lithuania a destination for investors (Nasdaq, Continental, Western Union, Uber, Wix and other multinationals), home for its first Unicorn (Vinted) and the fastest-growing Fintech-hub in Europe. The World Bank’s 11^th rank in Doing Business Index and No 4 in Global Fintech Index manifest the thirty years of goal-oriented mindset.

There are 1000 innovative companies buzzing in Lithuania, but the success of Vinted start-up demonstrates, how our freedom generation (in their thirties, again) has engaged the rest of the world to support collaborative consumption bringing sustainable living into homes. Every second transaction in France alone finds new home to second-hand items.

Discovering boundless potential: the art of women

Though usually science talks about the peak of their thirties for men to excel in sports and sciences, 2019 was exceptional in showcasing the enormous potential of Lithuanian women in culture. Here, the generation of their thirties rocked the stage.

The team of Lithuanian women (Rugilė Barzdžiukaitė, Vaiva Grainytė and Lina Lapelytė) won the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale for the performance Sun & Sea offering immersive experience to visitors and giving exceptional attention to environmental issues otherwise balancing between public ignorance and heated debates.

Asmik Grigorian was recognized as the world’s best female opera singer, while the most popular classical music station Classic FM announced another Lithuanian, Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, as the greatest female orchestral leader in the world.

Rūta Meilutytė pioneered exceptional female achievements in sports in 2012, when she became the youngest Olympic gold swimmer aged 14. In the next Summer Olympics, all eyes are on her male colleague Danas Rapšys who has 14 gold and 4 silver medals and the second place in the FINA World Cup.

Clear identity and celebration of life

Despite breaks in their career, the desire to make use of favourable opportunities and the wish to excel further,  the majority in their thirties have their personalities set and partnerships established, and start to look for the quality of life. 

It looks like here Lithuania goes by the book. We have our strategic partnerships in NATO and the EU moulded by shared values, joint experiences and common challenges. Seven out of ten Lithuanians feel happy or very happy and eight out of ten feel proud to be Lithuanian, with the capital Vilnius being among the top 10 cities globally for the best work-life balance.

Though standing tall on our two feet, we keep a strong sense of hope, ‘can do’ spirit, and a healthy belief in our own talents and abilities. Like all in their thirties do.

With Vilnius on UNESCO’s Romantic Europe route, the second biggest city Kaunas prepares for the European Capital of Culture in 2022. Carrying the title ‘From Temporary to Contemporary’, it offers a play on words and a play of forms. But in essence, it definitely promises a good celebration. And parties in one’s thirties are still something to go for. Come visit us.