Bonfires were lit in front of Vilnius’ iconic television tower and the house of Lithuanian parliament on Sunday evening, where 34 years ago unarmed civilians stood up the Soviet Red Army soldiers attempting to crack down on the independence movement.
On the evening of January 12, 1991, thousands of people gathered near strategic sites in Lithuania’s capital to prevent their seizure. That night, 14 people were killed by Soviet bullets and crushed by tanks, while hundreds more were injured.
On Sunday, a meeting of participants in those dramatic events was held in the Lithuanian parliament. Vytautas Landsbergis, its first speaker upon its restoration and effectively the head of state until the reestablishment of the post of president, emphasized the need to “defend the European ideal” today.
“Every day, bolder alternatives to the European ideal are being proposed,” Landsbergis said, referencing the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD), which advocates for restoring close ties with Russia.
According to the former Lithuanian leader, “parties and politicians offering alternatives to European ideals, such as democracy and human rights, are supported by authoritarian regimes.
On Sunday, a meeting of participants in those dramatic events was held in the Lithuanian parliament. Vytautas Landsbergis, its first speaker upon its restoration and effectively the head of state until the reestablishment of the post of president, emphasized the need to “defend the European ideal” today.
“Every day, bolder alternatives to the European ideal are being proposed,” Landsbergis said, referencing the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD), which advocates for restoring close ties with Russia.
According to the former Lithuanian leader, “parties and politicians offering alternatives to European ideals, such as democracy and human rights, are supported by authoritarian regimes.
“Europe must defend itself against this,” he added.
Sunday’s commemorations concluded with a concert at Vilnius’s church of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Apostle and Evangelist.
On Monday, which marks the Day of the Defenders of Freedom, at 8 a.m. local time, candles symbolizing the memory of the fallen were lit in the windows of schools, offices, and homes across the country.
Another commemoration ceremony will be held in the parliament, and at noon, the national flag will be raised in front of the parliament. Tributes will also be paid to the fallen at the Antakalnis Cemetery and a solemn mass will be celebrated at Vilnius Cathedral in the afternoon.
Sunday’s commemorations concluded with a concert at Vilnius’s church of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Apostle and Evangelist.
On Monday, which marks the Day of the Defenders of Freedom, at 8 a.m. local time, candles symbolizing the memory of the fallen were lit in the windows of schools, offices, and homes across the country.
Another commemoration ceremony will be held in the parliament, and at noon, the national flag will be raised in front of the parliament. Tributes will also be paid to the fallen at the Antakalnis Cemetery and a solemn mass will be celebrated at Vilnius Cathedral in the afternoon.
Baltic states and the collapse of the Soviet empire
Lithuania was the first Soviet republic of the former USSR to declare independence, adopting the Act of Independence on March 11, 1990.
The Lithuanian parliament transformed the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic into the Republic of Lithuania and reinstated its traditional pre-1940 state symbols: the yellow-green-red triband flag and the Vytys (Pursuer) coat of arms, depicting a sword-wielding knight on horseback.
Latvia and Estonia soon followed Lithuania’s lead and the three Baltic republics were the first to successfully break away from 50 years of Soviet dominance, only interrupted by German occupation during World War II. The events of January 12 and 13, 1991, were among the final, albeit the bloodiest, attempts by Moscow to stop their march toward independence.
The Lithuanian parliament transformed the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic into the Republic of Lithuania and reinstated its traditional pre-1940 state symbols: the yellow-green-red triband flag and the Vytys (Pursuer) coat of arms, depicting a sword-wielding knight on horseback.
Latvia and Estonia soon followed Lithuania’s lead and the three Baltic republics were the first to successfully break away from 50 years of Soviet dominance, only interrupted by German occupation during World War II. The events of January 12 and 13, 1991, were among the final, albeit the bloodiest, attempts by Moscow to stop their march toward independence.
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