The commemorative events of the 31st anniversary of the 1991 January events are held to memorize the historical moments and honor the fallen for the re-established Independence. The events are attended by Ministry of National Defence and Lithuanian Armed Forces leadership, representatives and military personnel.
The commemorial bonfire lighting ceremonies on January 12 by the Vilnius Television Tower, Lithuanian National Radio and Television Building and Independence Square were attended by Vice Ministers Margiris Abukevičius and Vilius Semeška, and Chief of the Defence Staff of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Brig Gen Mindaugas Steponavičius.
Flowers were also laid at the memorial for the first fallen volunteer soldier of independent Lithuania Artūras Sakalauskas in Vilnius.
On Freedom Defenders Day, January 13, a Holy Mass was celebrated at Vilnius Cathedral Basilica and the fallen for the freedom Lithuania were honored at Antakalnis cemetery, as well as in Alytus, Kaunas, Kėdainiai, Marijampolė, Rokiškis, and cemeteries in other locations.
In January 1991 Lithuania survived a Soviet aggression that was met by thousands of Lithuanian people who bravely stood in defence of the re-established independence of Lithuania. Unarmed people brought the weapons of willpower and unbreakable resolve against the tanks and rifles of the Soviet aggressor. 14 of them were killed and hundreds – injured. What matted red the most during those days was the solidarity of the people in the face of the threat. The Independence Square where people would arrive from across Lithuania to stand watch by the bonfires for many days and nights is now the symbol of that unity. Every year, January 13 comes as a reminder of the victory won in the fight for Lithuania’s freedom and the heroes of that fight, the Freedom Defenders, and its fosters the hopefulness for the future of Lithuania.
Photo credits: Alfredas Pliadis, Giedrė Maksimovicz-Alkema
