On this Day of the Defenders of Freedom in Lithuania, let us focus on the state of freedom: it is never final, it lives in people's consciousness, choices and responsibilities. History teaches us that freedom weakens not only from force, but also from oblivion. Therefore, it is important not only to remember January 13, but also to hear its meaning in today's world. Let memory become vigilance, and vigilance – an internal posture that protects a person and the state. May freedom in Lithuania always be protected not by fear, but by understanding, not by anger, but by conscious choice.
On January 13, 1991, after Lithuania experienced Soviet military aggression, thousands of Lithuanian people courageously defended the restored Independence of Lithuania. Unarmed, but full of strong will, faith and unity, the Lithuanian people stood against the aggressor. That night, 14 of them – who stood empty-handed, with songs and prayers, in front of tanks and machine guns – were killed, and more than 700 were injured.
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To commemorate the Day of Defenders of Freedom in Lithuania, the Faculty invites the community to participate in several initiatives:
▪️On the morning of January 13, from 8 a.m., the entire VU community will be united by the civil initiative “Light of Victory” – residents are invited to light memorial and victory candles in the windows of their homes, institutions and organizations for ten minutes.
▪️On January 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., bookmark workshop “I Remember Why We Are Free”.
We invite you not only to wear the symbol of the forget-me-not flower that day, but also to make a bookmark with a print of the forget-me-not flower.
The workshops will be held at:
VU Medical Science Center, Žaliųjų Ežerų g. 2, first floor lobby,
VU Faculty of Medicine, M. K. Čiurlionio g. 21, first floor lobby near the staff entrance (near the wooden stairs).
Let’s protect freedom, let’s be it!