Speeches

Remarks by President D.Grybauskaitė at the opening of the exhibition “The Aftermath of Prague Spring and Charter 77 in Latvia/the Baltics"

Ladies and Gentlemen, Excellencies,

I have just visited the Museum of Genocide Victims where I saw tragic evidence of our brutal and painful past. I saw the KGB inner prison and the execution chamber and once again I was deeply shocked and saddened.

Fifteen years ago all of us were horrified and distressed when the remains of the victims executed by the Soviet secret police between 1944 and 1947 were unearthed in the territory of the Tuskulėnai estate. The remains of more than 700 bodies were found here. Most of the victims were executed for their political beliefs and their faith in the ideals of freedom and independence.

Tuskulėnai is a very symbolic place for this exhibition, particularly these days when we are commemorating the infamous Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact that carved up Europe. This pact led to the occupation of the Baltic States and the sovietization of Central and Eastern Europe.

The moments captured and displayed at this exhibition are both painful and hopeful.

The events of the Prague Spring, the demands for human rights in Central Europe gave a powerful impetus and brought hope to the Baltic States.

Thirty years ago, half a hundred of brave men and women from the Baltics signed the Baltic Charter demanding to bring back the freedom of speech. A decade later, the Baltic Way led Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to freedom and independence.

Let the courage of resistance fighters, the resolve of dissidents and the unity of the Baltic Way guide our steps forever.