Press release, 11 March 2015
On 11 March, the ceremony of hoisting of the flags of the three Baltic States took place in Independence Square at the buildings of the Seimas to mark the 25th anniversary of the restoration of Lithuania’s independence.
The ceremony was attended by Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania; Loreta Graužinienė, Speaker of the Seimas; Valdas Adamkus, former President of the Republic of Lithuania; Vytautas Landsbergis, President of the Supreme Council – Reconstituent Seimas, high-ranking foreign guests, etc.
Lithuania and its people accepted the congratulations by the three Baltic parliamentary leaders: Loreta Graužinienė, Speaker of the Seimas; Eiki Nestor, President of the Riigikogu of the Republic of Estonia; Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia.
“A quarter of the century ago, on 11 March, hundreds of people holding spring flowers in their hands waited in this square until late into the night for 124 deputies of the Supreme Council – Reconstituent Seimas, after long struggles and losses, to make a firm decision and put their signatures under the Act on the Re-establishment of the State of Lithuania in these buildings of the Parliament. And it happened,” said Ms Graužinienė extending congratulations on the national holiday. “This is the story of our state, which inspires others. The success did not come as a present but had to be fought for.”
Mr Nestor underlined that the independence and freedom of our three countries were common, both in achieving it and keeping it. “Being free also means the obligation to share the values of freedom with those whose freedom is in danger and who hope for our support. If we want to be worthy of our freedom, we should not turn a deaf ear to others who stand for their freedom. Unfortunately, during the last year this sentence has been as relevant as it was 25 years ago. Freedom cannot be borrowed. Freedom is something you take by yourself, through justice, fighting and victories,” stated the President of the Riigikogu congratulating Lithuania on the festive day.
Ms Mūrniece said that, standing underneath the fluttering Baltic flags, we were recalling what had been achieved during the past quarter of a century and looking with confidence at future challenges. “Twenty-five years ago the Baltic people joined their hands in faith and hope for freedom and independence of their states. The Baltic Way brought us back to Europe –– the home where we have always belonged. […] Our price for freedom was high. But we always have to be ready to pay it again. Currently, when the international environment, particularly in our region, is becoming increasingly turbulent, we have to remain alert and faithful to our states. […] I am convinced that we have the desire, intellect, values and unity to embrace the 21st century with confidence,” stressed the Speaker of the Saeima.
The festive ceremony included the performance of the joint military orchestra of Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia and the hoisting of the flags by the Lithuanian, Estonian and Latvian Guard of Honour.
Rimas Rudaitis, Public Relations Unit, Communications Department, Office of the Seimas, tel. +370 5 239 6132, e-mail: rimas.rudaitis@lrs.lt
