Šiauliai and Sąjūdis Activities

From the very beginning, Šiauliai community with the representatives of local intellectuals took active part in the activities of the initiative group of Lithuanian reform movement Sąjūdis. After little more than a month when this group was formed, on July 22, 1988, the first event of Sąjūdis was held: a meeting in the Sundial Square, rallying a lot of people from Šiauliai and all over the area. The event called for sovereignty of Lithuania, introduction of democracy, it condemned the cruelty of Stalinism times, monetary donations were collected for the construction of the monument to Povilas Višinskis, a prominent member of the Lithuanian national movement and language conservator, it was urged to take care of the Lithuanian language and restore the historical truth. Like in all other cities, Šiauliai Sąjūdis community mostly focused on the Lithuanian language and ethnic culture, and put their main efforts into freedom and independence of Lithuania. For that purpose, meetings were held in the city, discussions in the classrooms of higher education institutions took place. In October, 1988, one of the most prominent events of the first year of Rebirth was organised in Šiauliai – the Language festival, aimed at paying attention to the situation of the Lithuanian language that severely suffered during the years of occupation. On October 12 of the same year, the city council granted a status of a public organization to Sąjūdis movement of Šiauliai city. After five days, the founding conference of Šiauliai groups of Sąjūdis movement was organized in Šiauliai drama theatre. The conference elected the representatives of the future Seimas, discussed the main issues, and decided to publish the publication of the city’s Sąjūdis movement. On December 12-22, the Lithuanian drama festival ‘Atgaiva’ was held in Šiauliai, presenting performances based on the prohibited drama works of Lithuanian emigrants, which were banned during the years of occupation, to the audience. Stage art was accompanied by a series of lectures, delivered by culture, science and public figures, such as the future signatory Romualdas Ozolas, historian Liudas Truska. August 23, 1989, the day that went down in the history of Lithuania as The Baltic Way day, was celebrated by Šiauliai people particularly loudly: organizing theatrical events in the city’s streets and Pergalė Square (later renamed as Prisikėlimo Square), sneering at the Nazis and Bolsheviks, who one after another occupied Lithuania in the Second World War. After these events, the city quickly emptied – all went to The Baltic Way action.

The systematic activity of Šiauliai Sąjūdis movement led to shrinking numbers of pro-Soviet persons and members of the Communist Party of Lithuania from the ranks of Šiauliai city council. They were pushed by the representatives of Sąjūdis, their delegated and supported persons. People close to Sąjūdis movement began to lead the city council. Mindaugas Stakvilevičius, Donatas Morkūnas, Romualdas Ozolas, Virginijus Kačinskas, Kęstutis Lapinskas and Algimantas Sėjūnas were elected by Šiauliai people to the Supreme Council and became the signatories to the Act of March 11, which announced the fact of the Restoration of the Republic of Lithuania.

Baltijos kelio diena Šiauliuose

Baltijos kelio diena Šiauliuose.

Baltijos kelio diena Šiauliuose

Baltijos kelio diena Šiauliuose.

Baltijos kelio diena Šiauliuose

Baltijos kelio diena Šiauliuose.

01
Feb
2018

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