Kosovo might well be Europe’s newest country, though currently we’re still waiting for the international community to recognise it. Here in the Baltics Lithuania celebrated its own Independence Day last Saturday. Although most people might assume that this is from the Soviet Union, Lithuania actually celebrates 90 years since, in the midst of war and revolution, it first declared itself as an independent, sovereign democratic state. It had been a part of Russia’s Northwest Territory yet at the time was occupied by German forces.
Although the borders changed as Lithuania fought with Poland over the capital Vilnius, Lithuania enjoyed independence until the secretive Molotov – Ribbentropp Pact led to occupation by German and then later Soviet Russian troops. Lithuania finally regained it’s independence in 1991 during the break-up of the Soviet Union.
Walking through the snowy streets of Vilnius’ Old Town in the bright sunshine and past Signatories House where the first declaration was made it is hard to imagine Lithuania’s past. Young men try to impress their recent Valentine dates with their black BMWs and smartly dressed business men drink coffee or local beer in glass fronted cafés. Only eight days ago Vilnius held a meeting of NATO defence ministers.
Last weekend Lithuanians have been remembering the long, difficult and occasionally bloody history of its previous 90 years. Laisvė – freedom is very much a loaded and emotive word even amongst the young people and students who can’t remember those times. Many of them gathered in the capital’s Cathedral square for a free concert by some of Lithuania’s most popular singers. Every year the square sees thousands gather, waving the yellow, green and red tricolour, often in snow and subzero temperatures to declare their love of Laisvė and Lietuva. The concert was entitled 9 steps and each one does give a good overview of Lithuanian history over the last 90 years.
The Act of the creation of the state. This is when the then ruling council declared independence as above.
The Partisan War. What we would today term an “insurgency”. This ran from 1941 until 1953.
Romas Kalanta. In 1972, this 19 year-old student set himself on fire in protest of the Soviet Occupation.
Sąjūdis (1988) – Meaning movement (as in a people’s movement), this was a group of the Lithuanian intelligentsia with the aim to reform Lithuania and bring about cultural openness and political change.
The Baltic Way (1989) – Around 2 million Lithuanians, Latvians and Estonians link hands from Vilnius, via Riga to Tallinn on the 50th anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.
March 11 1990, The Lithuanian Supreme Council declares Lithuanian independence from the Soviet Union.
January 13 1991, 14 unarmed civilians are killed as Soviet tanks storm the TV tower. Civilians barricade and form a human wall around the Parliament building.
May 1 2004 Lithuania becomes a member of the EU.
February 16 2008. Nothing actually happened on this day, except to remember the past 90 years and to remind Lithuanians of the cost of their freedom.
What the future holds for Lithuania and what the next steps might be continues to be a topic of much discussion for Lithuanians. Even today in the English language, Baltic Times President Valdas Adamkus is quoted as saying,
"…let us purify our aspirations from anger, hatred and short-lived interests. Let us be worthy of our state and nation: let us be the architects of a new Lithuania.
"Today we are walking down a path where we feel more secure from external threats than ever before in the course of our history. It is globalization and the rapidly changing world that create crucial challenges."
Although the borders changed as Lithuania fought with Poland over the capital Vilnius, Lithuania enjoyed independence until the secretive Molotov – Ribbentropp Pact led to occupation by German and then later Soviet Russian troops. Lithuania finally regained it’s independence in 1991 during the break-up of the Soviet Union.
Walking through the snowy streets of Vilnius’ Old Town in the bright sunshine and past Signatories House where the first declaration was made it is hard to imagine Lithuania’s past. Young men try to impress their recent Valentine dates with their black BMWs and smartly dressed business men drink coffee or local beer in glass fronted cafés. Only eight days ago Vilnius held a meeting of NATO defence ministers.
Last weekend Lithuanians have been remembering the long, difficult and occasionally bloody history of its previous 90 years. Laisvė – freedom is very much a loaded and emotive word even amongst the young people and students who can’t remember those times. Many of them gathered in the capital’s Cathedral square for a free concert by some of Lithuania’s most popular singers. Every year the square sees thousands gather, waving the yellow, green and red tricolour, often in snow and subzero temperatures to declare their love of Laisvė and Lietuva. The concert was entitled 9 steps and each one does give a good overview of Lithuanian history over the last 90 years.
The Act of the creation of the state. This is when the then ruling council declared independence as above.
The Partisan War. What we would today term an “insurgency”. This ran from 1941 until 1953.
Romas Kalanta. In 1972, this 19 year-old student set himself on fire in protest of the Soviet Occupation.
Sąjūdis (1988) – Meaning movement (as in a people’s movement), this was a group of the Lithuanian intelligentsia with the aim to reform Lithuania and bring about cultural openness and political change.
The Baltic Way (1989) – Around 2 million Lithuanians, Latvians and Estonians link hands from Vilnius, via Riga to Tallinn on the 50th anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.
March 11 1990, The Lithuanian Supreme Council declares Lithuanian independence from the Soviet Union.
January 13 1991, 14 unarmed civilians are killed as Soviet tanks storm the TV tower. Civilians barricade and form a human wall around the Parliament building.
May 1 2004 Lithuania becomes a member of the EU.
February 16 2008. Nothing actually happened on this day, except to remember the past 90 years and to remind Lithuanians of the cost of their freedom.
What the future holds for Lithuania and what the next steps might be continues to be a topic of much discussion for Lithuanians. Even today in the English language, Baltic Times President Valdas Adamkus is quoted as saying,
"…let us purify our aspirations from anger, hatred and short-lived interests. Let us be worthy of our state and nation: let us be the architects of a new Lithuania.
"Today we are walking down a path where we feel more secure from external threats than ever before in the course of our history. It is globalization and the rapidly changing world that create crucial challenges."
Cathedral Square, showing the clock tower and stage.
Close up of the stage showing important military people, the Lithuanian President, Valdus Adamkus and the Latvian and Estonian Presidents.
This reads, "Family...When? You know."