Seimas congratulated the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union on its centenary

Press release, 27 June 2019

Photo by Dž. G. Barysaitė, Office of the Seimas

At its sitting on 27 June 2019, the Seimas congratulated the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union on its centenary.

‘A hundred years ago, the Riflemen’s Union played a vital and meaningful role in the build-up of the Lithuanian state and laid the foundations for a bold civil society. Today, its leadership by example, its hard work and its values, including mutual respect and trust, are unparalleled in nurturing patriotism in Lithuania and boosting the numbers of defenders of the homeland. We are grateful to the Riflemen’s Union for the tremendous role it continues to play and commend the members of the Union for their contribution,’ said Viktoras Pranckietis, Speaker of the Seimas, at the sitting of the Seimas. As many as 29 Members of the Seimas are members of the Riflemen’s Union.

Photo by Dž. G. Barysaitė, Office of the Seimas

The Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union, according to its website, was set up in Kaunas on 27 June 1919. Its aim was to consolidate the country’s independence by fighting against the Bolsheviks, the Bermontians and the Poles. The ideological leaders of the Organisation were Vladas Putvinskis and Matas Šalčius.

Contributors to founding the organisation included famous Lithuanian public and cultural figures: writers Antanas Vienuolis-Žukauskas, Balys Sruoga, Juozas Tumas-Vaižgantas, and Faustas Kirša, painter Antanas Žmuidzinavičius, naturalist Prof. Tadas Ivanauskas, and many others. In the early days of the Union, its members only consisted of civilians. However, soldiers and military officers became actively engaged in the Union’s activities at a later stage. This ties in well with the organisation’s mission of providing civilian support to the national armed forces.

Saulė Eglė Trembo, Chief Specialist, Press Office, Information and Communication Department, Office of the Seimas, tel. +370 5 239 6203,  e-mail: [email protected]