Marketing Lithuania: How about name change?

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

huh? Since when is Lithuania hard to pronounce or even spell?

VILNIUS - Lithuania is thinking about changing its name in English to something easier to pronounce in plans to boost its image, officials said on Friday.

The small southern Baltic state, in the shadow of neighbours Russia, Germany and Poland, wants to raise its profile to attract more investments and tourists.

A commission led by the prime minister approved a marketing concept that says the country of 3.4 million people should promote itself as daring. A name change is also being considered.

"Lithuania's transcription in English is difficult to pronounce and remember for English speakers, but the name change is only an idea under consideration," said government spokesman Laurynas Bucalis, who led the group behind the recommendations.

Lithuania or Latvia?

No ideas have been presented yet as to what the name should be in English. In Lithuanian, the country is called Lietuva.

Many people outside the Baltic region often get mixed up between Lithuania and Latvia or even have difficulty saying where the Baltic states, which include Estonia, are located.

All three regained independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991 and joined the European Union and NATO in 2004.

"Bravery marks our history — from being the last pagan nation in Europe to a nation which sparked the Soviet Union's downfall, and today's resolute steps," Bucalis said.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22841519/?GT1=10755

[Dr. Obvious 49]

According to my 12th grade US Government teacher, Lithuania isn't even a country.

At anyrate, I don't think Lithuania is hard to pronounce in English. I just think it is ignored for other reasons. Like people don't even know it really exists.

I was there a few years ago. Vilnius is a nice city. Huge outdoor market, lots of tourist attractions, cheap. The coast is gorgeous. The countryside is a friggin time machine though. I thought I was back in 1890 or something. People still have no running water, use wells, horses and carts. Hard to believe I was in a country that was about to join the EU at that time. I would recommend a visit though. I would like to go back myself.

Edited January 26, 2008 by Wacken

[Sister Fracas 5]

Oh that's silly...it's neither hard to spell or pronounce. The people that have a problem with it most likely won't be the type of people to be attracted to it anyway. I'd love to go back to the Baltics. I've only been to Estonia as part of our honeymoon trip and it was lovely AND cheap!!!!

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Silly is right! Lithuania hard to pronouce-??? For whom?

Hey, good sister, Estonia is quite reasonable, I agree. I stayed there for a week last year I really enjoyed my time there. And I found Estonians very charming!

Oh that's silly...it's neither hard to spell or pronounce. The people that have a problem with it most likely won't be the type of people to be attracted to it anyway. I'd love to go back to the Baltics. I've only been to Estonia as part of our honeymoon trip and it was lovely AND cheap!!!!

[Jason-Sasha 1]

I have been to Lithuania a few times. Changing the name? I think its simply a bogus reason to attract attention. Its a really beautiful place with incredible history. And tragically, not enough people know anything about it. Or that it even exists! Vilnius is one of my favorite cities in the world. And their role in events leading to the end of the Cold War was critical. Needless to say, the relations between Lithuania and Russia are marred. Really great place!

(just don't tell my Russian fiancee I told you so.)