Lithuania: A bitter-tasting independence day in Vilnius
Audio 01:17
Celebration of the 32nd anniversary of Lithuania in Vilnius this Friday, March 11, 2022. AP - Mindaugas Kulbis
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
Lithuanians celebrate their independence this Friday, March 11.
Thirty-two years ago, parliament voted to leave the Soviet Union, but today, rejoicing is not on the menu of celebrations.
The war in Ukraine has come.
It forces us to rethink the meaning of freedom.
To better protect itself, Vilnius has extended the state of emergency until April 21.
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With our correspondent in Vilnius
,
Marielle Vitureau
Gathered in front of the Parliament, the crowd observed a minute of silence in honor of the dead in Ukraine.
The Lithuanian anthem rang out louder than ever.
In the hands, Egle has small Lithuanian and Ukrainian flags.
“
Today, coming to celebrate is more important than ever, since this war is taking place.
With my husband, we were teenagers, but we remember our struggle.
So today, everything takes on another dimension
.
»
This is a history lesson for her three children, she concludes.
A little further on, Kestutis, with gray hair and beard, remembers where he was 32 years ago.
“
I was here to defend and then in front of the television tower.
We have not suffered the same thing as Ukraine, which is attacked as a whole.
But it was based on the same principle.
»
“Lithuania is part of NATO, we are safe”
Tadas is a child of independence.
He watches the procession pass by wrapped in a Lithuanian flag.
“
Lithuania is part of NATO, we are safe, but I still have some concerns.
I'm thinking of joining the shooters' union.
This is one of my ideas for better self-defense.
»
Ukrainian flags flutter everywhere in the crowd.
As the Speaker of Parliament said, Lithuania will stand by Ukraine until victory.
There is no other way out of this war.
All of our daily, live coverage of the war in Ukraine.
© FMM Graphic Studio
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