fbpx Snacking on Pinecones, with a scoop of EU News

Snacking on Pinecones, with a scoop of EU News

Our third newsletter explores Lithuania’s rich traditions, from edible pinecones to Christmas Eve dishes, reflect its deep connection to nature and history. Dive into unique insights, including Europe’s changing dynamics and top events like Digital Marketing Europe 2025.

1 You can eat pinecones!? In fact, in Lithuania, they’re a bit of a delicacy!

The more time we spend as a family in Lithuania, the more we love it! – Who knew?!

Lithuania was one of the last countries in Europe, to abandon paganism.

As a result, the recent history and culture is fascinating, and deeply rooted in values related to agriculture, nature and the celebration of changing seasons. Perhaps now only just resonating again with the Western world again, as we take notice of a dying planet, greenhouse gases, and rampant consumerism.

Perhaps it’s not surprising, given this connection to nature, that some clever Lithuanian, hundreds of years ago, discovered you could munch on a pinecone. Having done it myself now, I have to say they’re surprisingly delicious.. Tastes a little like a mouthful of Christmas.. tree and all!

Christmas Eve dinner
Christmas Eve dinner | Shutterstock nuotr.
“As pagans, the number nine had tremendous significance in Lithuanian history and culture. Of course, it takes nine months to make a human life, so they figured they would enjoy a nine-day week, and celebrate the ninth month every year.

To this day, Christmas Eve will still see at least nine dishes on every feasting table to signify abundance and prosperity.

It’s like we sing in the songs: nine twigs, tenth is the top; nine bullets flew by, the tenth one pierced my head; I crossed nine rivers and drowned in the tenth.”

2 Syria: Asylum seekers heading home?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few days, you’ll know that the former regime in Syria has been toppled. We just don’t entirely know by who yet.

The new “leader” of Syria may have removed his turban and toned down his rhetoric, but most reports still suggest he’s a card carrying Jihadist.

Ironically, that may just come as good news to many of the millions of Syrian Asylum seekers throughout Europe, who had been given asylum, and a home here to escape the former regime.

Several governments within the EU are looking at ways of sending helping them return, now that things are “safe” in their home country. Perhaps whether they like it or not.

Learn more

EPA A man in a baseball cap walks past a window at night. He's silhouetted against the building and the soft white light coming from the window.
EPA A man in a baseball cap walks past a window at night. He’s silhouetted against the building and the soft white light coming from the window.
“Austria’s caretaker government has stopped all asylum claims from Syrians and says it is making plans to repatriate or deport people back to their homeland, arguing that the situation in the country has changed fundamentally.

Germany (home to a million Syrians), the United Kingdom, France, and Greece have all said they will halt asylum decisions for now.”
– Bethany Bell, Damien McGuinness & Tom McArthur, BBC News

3 It’s Christmas Market Season!

One of the things almost all of our clients tell us, that they love about getting access to Europe, is being able to travel around 27 unique countries and cultures, enjoying every bit of every season. And Christmas is no different.

This month, all over Europe, celebrations are erupting around the festive season. In Lithuania in fact, there are even two Christmases to celebrate!

The traditional Christian celebration on 25 December, and the Russian Orthodox Christmas celebrated on 9th January (though to be fair this is becoming a little less popular around here right now).

We urge all of our clients planning a trip to Europe, to include at least some Christmas markets this time of year. They not only add a sparkle to an otherwise grey month, but there are some wonderful gifts to find for under the tree – that don’t include plastic and aren’t made in China.

Learn more at this great guide

fabulously festive Christmas markets in Austria - Wanderlust
Fabulously festive Christmas markets in Austria – Wanderlust
“After 20 years of living and travelling in Europe, I created these guides to share my knowledge and experience. Find updated Christmas market dates for 2024, locations and destination guides.”

4 DIGITAL MARKETING EUROPE 2025 – in Lithuania

Back to work.

It’s a good time to book a head now for the digital marketing Europe conference coming early in the new year.

For anyone interested in content, creation, or increased business through online channels, it may be a good idea to plan your next trip to Europe in March.

This year, several workshops will be held in the capital of Lithuania, illness. This, of course, is where Baltic Capital Partners are based, which puts us in a perfect position to welcome you personally!

For anyone thinking of attending, please let us know, we’d love to catch up and show you around personally while you’re here.

Learn more

Join the #1 Digital Marketing Conference in Europe
Join the #1 Digital Marketing Conference in Europe 2025 – in Lithuania
“Digital Marketing Europe 2025 is the premier international conference for professionals looking to learn the latest techniques and strategies to achieve better results and improve their marketing.

Network with industry leaders from different European countries, gain insights from 40+ top internationally recognized experts, stay ahead of the latest trends, and explore new perspectives together with conference attendees over the course of three days.”
– Digital Marketing Europe, Web

5 Situation Vacant: Would suit Socialist with a passion for state palaces. Must be good at juggling debt. Based in France

You may remember in our last newsletter, I made mention that a golden Visa in France, or any residency application for that matter, in my opinion was fraught with challenges.

In recent news this week, France lost its new Prime Minister, after only a matter of weeks. This now leaves the country effectively leaderless for some months until elections can be held again next year.

The French constitution does have emergency powers to enable the government to function, but clearly the political climate is uncertain which does no favors for the economy.

Inevitably taxes will rise (as that seems to be the French answer to most things), paperwork will slow, and the cheese ripen.

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier (center) talks to people at the National Assembly before French lawmakers vote on a no-confidence motion in Paris Wednesday.
French Prime Minister Michel Barnier, center, talks to people at the National Assembly before French lawmakers vote on a no-confidence motion that could bring down the prime minister and the government for the first time since 1962, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
“Under the French Constitution, new elections cannot be held until next summer, a year after the last legislative elections. Leading up to the vote, Macron vowed to serve out his term ending in 2027, but will now need to appoint a new prime minister.

With the National Assembly, France’s lower house of parliament, split into three major blocs — the far-right National Rally, the left-wing coalition New Popular Front and Macron’s centrists — the way forward for Europe’s second-biggest economy is expected to be rocky.”

As we said last time, France is a wonderful place to visit, even stay a while, as long as you have a safe haven as a base.

All our clients agree – Lithuania offers this and more.

Lithuania guarantees a safe environment in which to stay (with almost no crime), low taxes, great culture and currently has none of the challenges facing larger European economies.

The best part is, our last client had his residency approved here in just 12 days! – now beat that France 😉

Aaron Banks
Founder | CEO

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