Speeches

Address by President D. Grybauskaitė at Special Parliamentary Sitting Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Baltic Way

Distinguished Participants of this Festive Parliamentary Sitting, Ladies and Gentlemen!

Today, as we are celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the Baltic Way, we cannot forget the road that brought us there, the path that we traversed and how we were then, the things that gave us strength in a struggle which seemed at first glance to be unequal, the values that encouraged and inspired us.

The Baltic Way reflects the history of our freedom fights: the battles of Žalgiris and Saulė, the fights at Giedraičiai, the partisan war for independence, the Chronicle of the Catholic Church, the Helsinki Group, the Freedom League, Sąjūdis, the dissident movement, and the silent resistance of everyday freedom-loving people. They gave us strength and confidence to join hands in the Baltic Way. They inspired us - people of many nationalities - to stand up to the brutal and well-armed regime regardless of our religious, social and ethnic belonging.

Let us not forget that that that was a time of high political tension when rumors were spread to create fear and threats were circulated to intimidate our aspirations for freedom and independence. But we stood brave and strong. We joined hands in a human chain that linked Vilnius to Tallinn. The world was stunned by our civic courage and by our determination to resist a military power peacefully and democratically. And the power swayed and did not dare to use violence against children, elderly, and common men and women whose hearts were beating in unison for the same ideals.
The Baltic Way brought us strong support from the Western States and Eastern European democracies and eventually it led to the official recognition of the Baltic States.
The Baltic Way set an inspiring example for other subjugated nations. Its meaning and significance cannot be over emphasized. It was the victory of freedom over fear, mistrust and aloneness The Baltic Way signifies our past, present and future. For us, it is a moral and spiritual standard of our relationship with the world and ourselves, teaching us never to degrade to petty party, sectional or religious quarrels, particularly in times of difficulty when unity is of supreme importance.

The Baltic Way has never been easy. There were and there will be many hindrances on our path. But if we follow it closely and fearlessly, hand in hand and heart to heart, we will emerge victorious.

I thank all whose efforts and sacrifice brought us independence and whose commitment defended it and gave it true meaning. I thank all whose work and endeavors have nurtured and continue to nurture freedom. I extend my sincere congratulations to each and every one of you and I wish that you perpetuate the Baltic Way in your hearts a as a symbol of social maturity and consciousness.

Let the bond of hearts forged in the Baltic Way be with us forever.