LRT English Newsletter – January 15, 2021.
We have dedicated this week’s letter to remember the painful events three decades ago in Vilnius. On January 13, 1991, fourteen people lost their lives when the Soviet forces attempted to seize power after Lithuania declared independence in March 1990.
We’re changing up the format for this week’s newsletter to stay focused on the January 13 commemoration. Instead of editor’s picks, scroll down for a selection of other important news from the past week.
CHILDHOOD AT THE BARRICADES
An entire generation of young Lithuanians have grown up since spending some of their childhood days around the parliament together with their families. “I remember how we were listening to announcements on the radio – there was a sense that something was happening, change, unrest. But what exactly was changing, we as kids did not entirely understand,” said Arvydas, one of the children.
CITIZENS’ ARCHIVES
In 2020, the LRT asked people to send in their photos from the January 1991 events. Pretty rapidly, photos and even newspaper cutouts started flooding in.
For years, our memories – at least of those who were too young to be there – have been shaped by the same black and white images. For the first time, those special days can be seen in a completely new light – through the eyes of ordinary people. We chose 50 images for you to have a look.
‘EUROPE OWES LITHUANIA’
This strong statement was made on Wednesday by Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission. Speaking in a recorded video message, she said the European Union “would look different without their bravery” and that “the events of January 1991 played a decisive role in overcoming division of our continent”.
OCCUPIED BUT NOT SILENCED
In this multimedia story first published in January 2020, we’ve included witness testimoniess, as well as radio recordings, where shots and explosions can be heard all around the reporter, and the last-minute video broadcast before the Soviet forces seized the present-day LRT building. "The scenes will stay with me for the rest of my life," said a man at the hospital. Meanwhile, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry has also released an animated video to mark the anniversary. Have a look.
NOT OVER
With Putin's Russia defending the Soviet legacy, the Kremlin has also doubled down on its narrative surrounding the 1991 events in Vilnius. In 2020, the Russian authorities began criminal proceedings against three Lithuanian judges who sentenced 67 people for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the so-called January 13 case. The Kremlin claims these are political charges.
TAKE A WALK
Together with LRT RADIO, we are now preparing a special audio guide to visit 13 locations key to the events that shaped Lithuania and, subsequently, the Soviet Union. We’ll keep you posted. It is already available in Lithuanian and, soon, we’ll announce the English-language version. LRT Novosti, the broadcaster’s Russian service, is also preparing the guide in Russian.
BELARUS PERSEVERES
As Lithuania celebrates its defence of freedom, protesters in neighbouring Belarus continue to strive for theirs, according to Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, leader of the country’s opposition who was forced to flee to Vilnius.
In 1991, Belarusians and Ukrainians were also part of the defenders at Lithuania’s present-day parliament building. Today, "it’s important to know that we’re not alone in our fight for democracy”, according to Tikhanovskaya.
KEY NEWS FROM THE PAST WEEK
– Lithuania is facing EU sanctions of "several hundred million euros" for failing to provide a proper sewage network for all.
– As Lithuania’s vaccination efforts intensified, some skipped the line to get themselves and their families vaccinated. The president and the ministry urged tighter controls, and authorities pledged to launch investigations.
– On a positive note, a tenth of Lithuania’s care home staff were to be vaccinated on the first day alone.
– But scientists looking for the more infectious and dangerous strains of the virus still have to do it in their spare time. They have asked for more funding and attention.
– Some lockdown restrictions will stay in place even after January. We should hear more on January 17 when the government will review the quarantine efforts so far.
– Georgia (Gruzija) will now be officially referred to as Sakartvelas in Lithuanian. It remains to be seen whether Lithuania will change its official reference to Belarus as White Russia (Baltarusija).
– Some 200 Belarusian university students transferred their studies to Lithuania after being forced to flee from repressions. A long-read by Ieva Žvinakytė, here
– LRT English is partnering up with Lithuanian Dream to bring you a weekly English-language podcast. In this installment, we speak about philanthropy with Kotryna Stankutė.
– And winter comes to Vilnius. But, please, be careful – a tragic car crash has already claimed five lives amid the heavy snowfall.
Would you like to contribute to LRT English? Please send your suggestions, submissions, and pitches to english@lrt.lt
Written by Benas Gerdžiūnas
Newsletter
Every Friday morning.
