On September 26, 2025, Vytautas Magnus University Lithuanian Emigration Institute and the Valdas Adamkus Presidential Library-Museum organized an event in the seminar series “Unforgettable Names” dedicated to the memory of émigré director and “Margutis” radio program contributor Dalia Sruogaitė (1925–2015). The event was moderated by Dr. Daiva Dapkutė.
Prof. Dr. Dalia Kuizinienė gave a presentation titled “The Connections of Dalia’s Life: Kaunas – Chicago – Vilnius.” Using archival photographs to illustrate her talk, Kuizinienė pieced together a portrait of Sruogaitė from different stages of her life—from her childhood in Kaunas to her emigration to the United States, the challenges of settling there, the community of like-minded people who surrounded her, her life and work in Chicago, and her return to live in Vilnius in 2001. Since 1953, Sruogaitė had worked as the editor of the literary program “Pelkių žiburėlis” (“The Little Light of the Marshes”) on Chicago’s “Margutis” radio station. She explained that she created this literary program after noticing that people no longer read books—she wanted to open the world of Lithuanian literature to listeners, to tell stories about it, and to spark interest rather than to judge or critique.
Prof. Dr. Reda Pabarčienė, in her presentation “Dalia – Remembering with Love,” shared personal recollections of their acquaintance. Having met Sruogaitė later in life, she highlighted her wisdom, spiritual maturity, and care for others. Family connections, especially within the context of her father Balys Sruoga’s fate, and the preservation of his memory were of deep importance to her throughout her life. Prof. Violeta Kelertienė sent in her own memories of Sruogaitė, warmly recalling their first meeting in Chicago, when members of the Lithuanian émigré cultural community gathered in 1983 to plan a trip to Lithuania—an encounter that marked the beginning of a lifelong friendship.
Event moderator Dr. Dapkutė also recalled Sruogaitė’s letters, in which she expressed heartfelt concern for preserving the memory of people she believed to be significant. Leonas Narbutis added his gratitude to Sruogaitė for inviting him to contribute to the “Pelkių žiburėlis” literary hour in 1959 and shared recollections of his work at Margutis radio.
