Lithuania marked the 103rd anniversary of the Klaipėda Region’s incorporation into the country on January 15, commemorating the historic event that gave the nation its first Baltic port.
A ceremony was held at Sculpture Park in Klaipėda at the monument “For Those Who Died for Freedom”, featuring formations of the Lithuanian Armed Forces’ Klaipėda garrison, riflemen, and naval cadets.
The Klaipėda Region, historically part of Prussia, was annexed to Lithuania in 1923 following an organised uprising. At the time, the territory had been taken away from Germany as part of the post-World War One settlement and put under French administration, entrusted to it by the League of Nations.
But since the region had a big Lithuanian-speaking population, the young Republic of Lithuania eyed it for itself.
“If, 103 years ago, we had not had brave people willing to defend our country here, we would have a very different Lithuania today,” Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė said at the ceremony.
Poland also had strategic interests in the area. Military historian Valdas Rakutis noted that Warsaw even reportedly suggested: “Give Klaipėda to Lithuania, and Lithuania to Poland,” admiring Lithuanian actions in private correspondence.
Although the operation was risky and involved sending troops in plainclothes, Lithuanian leaders pressed forward. Jonas Polovinskas-Budrys served as the military commander of the uprising, while Ernestas Galvanauskas was its political head.
Not all residents of the Klaipėda Region supported the annexation, as many had adopted German ways of life. Not to mention that the city itself – called Memel at the time – was predominantly German speaking.
“The region was historically connected to Germany and Prussia, so we cannot say that all its residents saw joining Lithuania as their homeland,” said Silva Pocytė, a historian at Klaipėda University.
With its incorporation, Lithuania became a maritime nation with access to a major port. Pocytė said Lithuania invested heavily in developing and modernising the port, describing it as “the largest and most significant Lithuanian investment in the Klaipėda Region”.
Unfortunately, Berlin had not given up its claims to the area. In 1939, it issues an ultimatum and Lithuania ceded the Klaipėda Region to Nazi Germany. It was finally incorporated in Lithuania after the Second World War.
The anniversary ceremony also honoured those who died defending freedom and recognised political and cultural figures from the region of Lithuania Minor.
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