Press release, 3 June 2013
The 25th anniversary of the Lithuanian reform movement Sąjūdis was commemorated at the solemn sitting of the Seimas. The speakers of the commemoration were Vydas Gedvilas, Speaker of the Seimas; Vytautas Landsbergis, first head of the independent Lithuanian state and Member of the European Parliament; Gintaras Grušas, Metropolitan Archbishop of Vilnius; Aurimas Šukys, historian and Doctor of Philosophy; Justinas Dementavičius, lecturer at the Institute of International Relations and Political Science of Vilnius University and Doctor of Philosophy; Raimonda Stankevičiūtė-Vilimienė, former member of the Council of the Sąjūdis initiative group in Rokiškis District and journalist; and Romas Pakalnis, member of the initiative group of the Lithuanian Reform Movement Sąjūdis.
At the beginning of the solemn sitting, the Speaker of the Seimas Vydas Gedvilas said that it was an excellent occasion to recall the developments of 25 years ago and remember the unity of the people in the name the common and essential goal, the unity which was universal. “It was a noble goal, which gave an immense moral and spiritual strength. This strength surpassed any material goods. People did not discern ‘mine’ from ‘yours’ or ‘ours’ from ‘yours’. They were united as never before. It was universal awakening and revival.” Mr Gedvilas stressed that we must revive the spirit of the Sąjūdis. “Today Lithuania needs you no less than it needed you then. Today Lithuania needs the same revival and unity in the name of working people. (…) I believe that one more Sąjūdis, perhaps different in its form but the same in its nature, is possible.”
Recalling the beginning of the Sąjūdis movement, Vytautas Landsbergis noted that the organisation was unique. “It had ideological and strategic leadership, executive structures and there were no long lists of members of the movement. We were clever enough to understand that only if we had a network of support, i.e. a massive organisation scattered across Lithuania, our declarations would become a reality and the world would hear us.” According to Prof. Landsbergis, the independence was a new phase where the Sąjūdis swiftly realised its responsibility to further lead the country to European democracy, essential changes and dignified and safer place in the family of free nations. “The Lithuanian Sąjūdis initiated the establishment of a new party of progressive conservatives rather than directly converting into a political party. The Sąjūdis remained an active public organisation.”
Metropolitan Archbishop of Vilnius observed that the Sąjūdis was very fruitful but failed to heal all the wounds of the nation. Gintaras Grušas believes that the consequences of the communist regime, unfortunately, can still be felt in our life although much has been achieved in 25 years. “Twenty five years ago, the Sąjūdis called on strong personalities to stand up and courageously lead the nation. May this occasion remind us that today, Lithuania still needs those who would put their efforts for the sake of their homeland without seeking personal benefit, those who would ensure that the laws pave the way for successful development of the state in the future and contribute to the welfare of the people today. Let us learn from our glorious past, make every effort to ensure the freedom of religion, cherish the family and its autonomy, and promote patriotism.”
Aurimas Šukys reflected on how the Sąjūdis could emerge and how Lithuania could preserve free will and reason and choose the road to independence after 50 years of various historical disasters and totalitarian oppression. In his opinion, this resulted not only from the international circumstances at the end of the Cold War or economic, political and ideological agony of the Soviet empire, credit should also be given to the Lithuanian people who did not remain passive figures in history but became vigorous actors. “Surprisingly, we found a live network of an alternative Lithuanian society different from the Soviet one. This network clearly shows that alongside well-known anti-Soviet organisations (…) throughout all the periods of the totalitarian regime, various informal or semi-legal organisations, clubs, circles and forums of friends, families, colleagues and intellectuals were set up not at a top-down demand by the Soviet bureaucracy or security agencies but on a voluntary basis. These were mostly the core of intellectual or catholic groups and member networks, which particularly flourished during the late Soviet period and managed to preserve alternative non-Soviet values and the mode of activities. They united philosophers, men of letters, linguists of the Lithuanian language from Vilnius University and individual intellectuals that rallied like-minded people round them both in their work places and at home.”
Justinas Dementavičius observed that members of the initiative group who were engaged in the whole process of the development of the Sąjūdis clearly saw the significance of personal effort for the miracle to happen. “Everyone had to make his own minor decision, which became a part of huge changes, including courage to go to the inaugural meeting, take part in a rally, sings songs of freedom, write critical articles about the regime. But even then, in June 1988, not all of them believed that independence could be achieved. ‘Isn’t it a miracle that independence was finally restored? And it happened really quickly,’ they ask.”
Raimonda Stankevičiūtė-Vilimienė assured that the victory of the Sąjūdis was the victory of the whole country, the achievement of every active town and village in Lithuania. “In autumn 1988, after the first rallies organised by the Sąjūdis all across Lithuania, people started establishing groups not only in district centres but also in villages and towns.” Ms Stankevičiūtė-Vilimienė added that she considered the achievements of the Sąjūdis as an opportunity rather than a gift. “Patriotism, respect for others, mutual help and empathy among all social groups might seem expensive and non-cost effective but these things accumulate huge dividends in the long run and foster loyalty, trust and sacrifice, which are later passed on to children and grandchildren and most importantly, contribute to the future of Lithuania.”
Romas Pakalnis stressed that an absolute majority of Lithuanians who dreamt of and cherished the idea of the Sąjūdis still pursue high ideals. “May we all succeed. But you know that only those who have a hope or a dream and work hard for it succeed.”
Speech by Vydas Gedvilas, Speaker of the Seimas, delivered at the solemn commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Lithuanian Reform Movement Sąjūdis
Rimas Rudaitis, Public Relations Unit, tel: +370 5 239 6132, e-mail: [email protected]
