Speeches

Address by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the Flag Raising Ceremony in Daukanto Square

Dear Fellow People of Lithuania,
Distinguished and Honorable Guests!

It was ninety two years ago today that twenty honest and enlightened representatives of the people signed a document of outstanding importance - the Declaration of Independence of February 16 - proclaiming the restoration of an independent, democratically organized Lithuanian State, with Vilnius as capital, and the abolition of all political ties which have existed with other nations.

These precisely integrated words defined, clearly and accurately, the path chosen by the people of Lithuania - a path of great perseverance, heroism and sacrifice. We are still walking this path of statehood and nation building.

The Declaration of Independence would have been hardly possible without the Great Duchy of Lithuania and its history, without national revival movements and uprisings, without the Lithuanian press and book-smuggling.

The aspiration for freedom united the people in their ultimate quest to rebuild the state demolished by the enemies.

The Declaration of Independence called and continues to call on the people of Lithuania for national unity, as Signatory Petras Klimas wrote, "irrespective of their personal beliefs, if they are not alienated from their homeland, if they cherish the legacy of their parents and forebears, and if they seek freedom and liberty". The Declaration of Independence united the people to stand against challenges. Its driving force went far beyond the creation of pre-war Lithuania.

The Declaration of Independence motivated Lithuanian partisans and resistance fighters during the years of Soviet oppression. It upheld the spirit of freedom in Lithuanian deportees and kept the light of hope alive. It inspired the Act of the Reestablishment of Independence of March 11 - the cornerstone of modern Lithuania. Built on the Declaration of February 16, the Act of March 11 opened a historic opportunity for us to become equal members of the European Union and NATO

We have moved on to new aspirations. We are out to build a new Lithuania - a tolerant, civic-minded and creative Lithuania open to the world and innovations, a Lithuania that is self-critical, determined to smite corruption, clean itself of lies, and protect human dignity.

The Declaration of February 16 did not promise either material wealth or exceptional privileges - only Independence.

Today we are free and independent. So let us rejoice in freedom, let us cherish and promote it through every-day work - like the Signatories of Independence

May February 16 be forever the holiday of our freedom and national dignity.