LITHUANIA

  Vytautas The Great (1350 – 1430)

A Grand Duke of Lithuania, 1410 July 15 at the Battle of Grunwald (name Žalgirio is more widely used in Lithuania) with Lithuanian and Polish joined army forces defeated the army of Teutonic Knights. After this, one of the most remarkable battles in the medieval Europe, Teutonic order never ever regained its influence.

Tadas Kosčiuška (1746 – 1817)

A Lithuania's national hero, general and a leader of the 1794 uprising against the Russian Empire, a close friend of the 3rd president of the United States Thomas Jefferson made a significant contribution to the American victories in the end of the 18th century as well as to the Constitution of United States.

Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis (1875 – 1911)

He is the most famous Lithuanian painter and composer. In a six years (beginning of the 20th century) M.K.Čiurlionis created over 300 paintings. One can find the elements of romanticism, symbolism and abstractionism. He also was the initiator of the graphics in Lithuania. Talking about his music, we have to mention few most famous symphonic poems for orchestra – “The Sea” and “The Forest”, though in 15 years he created over 350 compositions, mostly for piano. M.K. Ciurlionis also harmonized over 60 Lithuanian national songs, and the influence of Lithuanian national ethnography is felt in all his works.

 Arvydas Sabonis (1964)

A.Sabonis started his professional carrier of basketball player in 1981 in Kaunas “Zalgiris” team. A best European basketball player in 1984, 1985, 1988, 1993, 1995, 1997. 1986 he got his first invitation to NBA, but couldn’t leave for political reasons. 1989 – 1995 played in Spain 1995 – 2003 played in NBA, 1999 was recognised as the most influenced foreign player. 2005 he finished his professional carrier.

Ingeborga Dapkunaite (1963)

A famous Lithuanian actress, known worldwide. Few of the most famous movies she had a part in are: “Mission: Impossible” 1996, “7 years in Tibet” 1997, “Hanibal Lecter” 2007.

  Virgilijus Alekna (1972)

Is a famous Lithuanian athlete - discus thrower. He is Olympic champion 2000 and 2004, World champion 2003 and 2005, European champion 2006.

  LATVIA

  Friedrich Wilhelm Ostwald (1853 – 1932)

Was a German chemist, born in Riga, Latvia. He received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1909 for his work on catalysis, chemical equilibrium and reaction velocities.

  Friedrich Zander (1887 – 1933)

Often transliterated Fridrikh Arturovich Tsander or Frīdrihs Canders in the Latvian version was a pioneer of rocketry and spaceflight in the Soviet Union. He designed the first liquid-fuelled rocket to be launched in the Soviet Union and made many important theoretical contributions to the road to space.

  Uļjana Semjonova (1952)

She is a retired Latvian basketball player. 7-foot tall Semenova (although she has been reported as being any height between 6-foot 10 inches tall and 7-foot 2 inches tall) was the leading women's basketball player in the world in 1970s and 1980s.

  Alexei Shirov (1972)

A chess grandmaster. On the July 2007 FIDE rating list he was ranked number eleven in the world with an ELO rating of 2735.

  Maria Naumova (1973)

Winner of Eurovision song contest 2002. Stage name Maria N.

   ESTONIA

Arvo Part (1935)

Is an Estonian composer, often identified with the school of minimalism and more specifically, that of "mystic minimalism" or "sacred minimalism". He is considered a pioneer of this style, along with contemporaries Henryk Górecki and John Tavener. Arvo Pärt is best known for his choral works.

Kristina Smigun (1977)

Estonian skier, Winter Olympic gold winner 2006

  Carmen Kass (1978)

Estonian supermodel. Kass modeled for top designers such as Alberta Ferretti, Anna Sui, Bill Blass, Christian Dior, DKNY, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Michael Kors, Moschino, Prada, Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Louis Vuitton, and Valentino. She has now signed to be Max Factor newest spokesperson.