Mikas Petrauskas, noted Lithuanian musical and theatrical artist, was enthusiastically welcomed back to Chicago at a reception which was arranged in his honor by the Biruta Singing and Dramatic Society on August. 15, at the Our Lady of Vilna church hall, 23rd Place and Oakley Avenue. The reception was attended by about one hundred and ten Lithuanians, including the Biruta chorus, which is now composed of seventy members---thirty ladies and forty men. Many prominent Chicago Lithuanians attended.

The following is a list of some of the guests: Anthony Pocius (who graduated earning a gold medal from the first course of the Chicago College of Music), K. Strumskis (ex-director of the Biruta chorus), V. Dauksa, B. Janusauskas, A. Limontas, Dr. A. Rutkauskas, Dr. L. Graiciunas, attorney F. P. Bradchulis, A. Olsevskis (publisher of the Lietuva), J. E. Bagdziunas, M. J. Damijonaitis, B. Vaitiekunas. 2 The hall was decorated with a number of wreaths of oak leaves and white and blue paper ribbons. On the table on the stage were five flower bouquets. The members of the chorus and the guests awaited the arrival of our composer, singer, and leader, with some kind of unusual mental tension. Some girls, who saw him coming into the hall, rushed to the choral group and in great excitement and joy said: "He is here!....I saw him come in. Mr. Petrauskas has arrived."

The choral group greeted their beloved guest with a song, specially written for the occasion. Mr. Petrauskas greeted the members of the chorus, whom he had missed very much, with enthusiastic handshakes.

After the greeting ceremonies, the first part of the program followed. Miss O. Balsis, who is American born, recited a poem, written by the poet Vaicaitis; a quartet of Chicago Lithuanian organists, with A. Pocius at the piano, sang "Gamta Grazi" (Beautiful Nature), composed by Mr. Petrauskas; J. Uktveris recited a poem entitled "Yra Salis" (There is a Land), by Vaicaitis; J’. Uktveris 3 delivered a very entertaining monologue entitled "Is Teatro" (From the Theatre); the Biruta chorus sang two numbers: "Ko Liudi Putineli?" (Why Are You Sad Little Tree?), by Petrauskas, and "Ant Kalno Karklai Siubava" (The Willows On The Hill Were Undulating), by Naujalis.

After the first part of the program, dinner was served during which Mr. J. Ilgaudas made the following toast:

"Honorable Sir: I consider it a great honor that I, as chairman of the Biruta Society, have the privilege of expressing, in the name of the Society and the guest of the evening, our joyful welcome to you.

"More than a year has already passed by since you left Chicago. After organizing the Biruta Society, and teaching it to get along without your aid, you abandoned it as if to test its strength. During that time, aided by the abundant force of inspiration, encouragement and energy which we received from you, we tried to march forward and work for the benefit of our Fatherland; our forces are young and weak, but we tried not to disappoint you.

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"It is true that throughout that period, more than one menacing wave struck our weak, little ship called "Biruta," and at times threatened to swallow us and end our life. However, we managed to stay afloat, because we were at all times guided by a star which led us safely through all the storms--we have named that star the star of hope. We believed that a Society which was so honorably born could not end its existence in a shameful manner. Death was inconceivable to us; we were filled with hope for a bright and lofty future. We had faith in you Mr. Petrauskas, and believed that you would return and again be our leader. For that reason the storms of life not only failed to affect us, but on the contrary, they have encouraged and strengthened us. And now that you have returned to us and made our hearts flutter with joy, we the Biruta Society, can boast of the fact that we are still alive and that we intend to live and march forward.

"We know that the duties, which we have imposed upon ourselves, are not easy, and require our whole hearted devotion and assiduity to fulfill. However, our idealism, our love for the Fatherland, and the sacred nature of our work, will increase by a hundredfold the energy of all those who are devoted to this work.

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"We believe that now, as before, you will not decline to lead us onward to glorify the name or our oppressed but reawakened fatherland, Lithuania. Therefore, as a symbol of our complete surrender to your leadership, and wishing that all your labors will be very fruitful, and that all your hopes and aspirations will be fulfilled, we drink to your health!"

After a short talk by Mr. Petrauskas, everybody drank a glass of wine to the health of their beloved leader, and then to the health of the members of the Biruta chorus, the guests, and Rev. Ambrozaitis, who is a strong supporter of Mr. Petrauskas and the Biruta Society; shouts of hurrah were made with each toast.

After the dinner, Rev. Misius, of Pittsburgh, Pa., delivered a short address. He received much applause for his wonderful speech. It may be said, unmistakably, that Rev. Misius is a good orator.

The second part of the program followed the dinner. A. Pocius played a number on the piano; this musical artist is still a young man, but shows unusual ability as 6 [gap] 7 evening filled him with vigor and vitality.

The guests were composed of Lithuanians of many different political and religious affiliations. Nevertheless, because of a common love for the Daina Lithuanian folk songs, they all felt as though they were children of one mother--Lithuania. The so-called atheists, the religious, the Socialists, and the Nationalists, all momentarily forgot their differences. Therefore, we can proudly say, as J. Sutkus said in his essay on the merits of the Daina: "Long live the Daina and those who popularize them; they are the greatest unifying force of our nation!"

Now that Mr. Petrauskas is back, there will be a sharp increase in all kinds of activities among the Lithuanians of Chicago. During the coming winter season, much work will be done for the benefit of Lithuanian art, and for the glorification of our nationality.

Therefore, all Lithuanians should stop wasting valuable time and energy with petty quarrels and foolish jealousies, and strive to do productive work.

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All young Lithuanians who are musically inclined are urged to join the Biruta chorus at once; by doing so you will help yourselves and assist in uplifting our nationality.