35 years ago, on 23 August 1989, the people of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia were united in an unprecedented and very courageous flash mob – the Baltic Way. To mark this historically significant event, various commemorative events are taking place in Latvia and abroad.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs presents the events dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the Baltic Way that are organised or attended by Latvian diplomatic missions abroad:
- In Athens (Greece), an exhibition in cooperation with the association Creative Ideas will be opened in September in the Embassy’s cultural hall. The exhibition will feature 56 documentary photographs from the archives of all three Baltic states. The exhibition is organised with the support of the association Creative Ideas within the framework of the European Union Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) Programme project Baltic Way.
- In Bergen (Norway), on 23 August at 18.00, the Bergen Adventist Church will host a concert “Your Heart is Your Home”. The guests will be addressed by the Ambassador of Latvia to Norway Mārtiņš Klīve. The concert will feature the Ventspils Culture Centre women’s choir Venda, the Norwegian choir Aria, the Norwegian choir Sandviken kantori, the Bergen-Latvian choir, the Estonian diaspora choir, the Lithuanian diaspora choir and the Ukrainian diaspora choir from Norway.
- In Berlin (Germany), the Embassy of Latvia, together with the Embassies of Estonia and Lithuania to Germany will celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Baltic Way on 7 November at the Embassy of Estonia. At the event, the Ambassador of Latvia to Germany Alda Vanaga, will speak about the Baltic Way and its significance for the Baltic states. There will also be a discussion with ambassadors from all three countries, as well as experts from Germany, who will enrich the discussion with information about that time in Germany and the fall of the Berlin Wall. The evening will conclude with a jazz concert featuring a unique jazz trio with musicians from all three Baltic states – Toms Rudzinskis from Latvia, Jaak Sooäär from Estonia and Dominykas Vysniauskas from Lithuania.
- In Helsinki (Finland), the Embassies of the Baltic states will hold a photo exhibition Baltic Way 35 at the premises of the Finnish newspaper, Helsingin Sanomat, in Sanomatalo (Töölönlahdenkatu 2) throughout August. The exhibition in Helsinki is a collaboration between the three Baltic embassies in Finland and the largest Finnish newspaper, Helsingin Sanomat. The materials tell the story of the struggle of the people of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia for the restoration of statehood, the unity of the Baltic states, as well as of the largest non-violent resistance and mobilisation that demonstrated the strength and confidence of the Baltic people to fight for the restoration of their independence. Sanomatalo is located between Ode Library and the Central Railway Station, and the exhibition is freely accessible to all visitors during the opening hours of Helsingin Sanomat. On 23 August, the Embassies of the Baltic states will host a pop-up musical moment in the foyer of the Sanomatalo, with a performance of the legendary song “Atmostas Baltija” by the Latvian-Finnish choir Ziemeļmeita. Visitors can also enjoy ice cream made in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
- In Copenhagen (Denmark), on 28 August at 20.00, a concert of organ music by D. Hicks, organist of the Vor Frelsers Kirke.
- In Kvareli (Georgia), on 23 August, the Ambassador of Latvia to Georgia, Edīte Medne, will visit the EuroClub Kvareli/Euro-Atlantic Centre in the Kakheti region of Georgia to meet with the members of the EuroClub and give a presentation on Baltic Way 35. During the meeting, the Ambassador will enlighten the audience about the common struggle of the Baltic states for independence, its recovery and challenges, as well as about Latvia’s benefits and achievements as a member of the European Union.
- In Malmö (Sweden), the Honorary Consul of Latvia in Skåne, in cooperation with the Honorary Consuls of Estonia and Lithuania, will organise a commemorative event of the Baltic Way on 23 August. A national demonstration will take place in Malmö’s Stortorget Square, followed by performances by Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian choirs.
- In Mullingar (Ireland), on 25 August, the Baltic communities in Ireland organise a Baltic Day Festival, with the participation of the Embassy of Latvia to Ireland.
- In Paris (France), the Embassy of Latvia to France, in cooperation with the Embassies of Estonia and Lithuania, is implementing a project promoting the commemoration of the Baltic Way. In October, in cooperation with Paris City Council as the co-author of the project, an information plaque about the Baltic Way will be placed in Paris, at the Pont de Grenelle, next to which one of the replicas of the Statue of Liberty is located. On 23 August 1989, a march – demonstration – took place in Paris, from Place du Trocadero to the Statue of Liberty. The Baltic states, Poland, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, Romania, Vietnam, Cambodia and other good friends took part. On this occasion, a place near the Statue of Liberty was chosen to place a plaque. This is the first object that directly refers to the history of the Baltic states.
- In Prague (Czechia), on 16–29 September, there will be an international exhibition BALTIC WAY – UNITED FOR FREEDOM.
- In Toronto (Canada), on 22 August, the Ambassador of Latvia to Canada Kaspars Ozoliņš, will participate in a commemorative event organised by the Baltic communities in Canada at Nathan Phillips Square.
- In Vancouver (Canada), on 24 August, the Estonian Church Foundation Hall will host a concert by the Mägi ensemble and a dinner organised by the Baltic community to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Baltic Way. Ambassador Kaspars Ozoliņš will send a message to the participants of the event.
- In Washington (USA), on 23 August, the Embassies of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania to the USA in cooperation with the Victims of Communism Museum and the Baltic Diaspora Association JBANC are organising a commemoration of the 35th anniversary of the Baltic Way in McPherson Square in Washington, opposite the Victims of Communism Museum. Participants will be addressed by representatives of the Baltic embassies to the USA and the event organisers. Representatives of Baltic diaspora organisations, US-based embassies and representatives of the US Congress, including from the offices of the co-chairs of the Baltic states support group, as well as other interested parties, are invited to participate in the commemorative event with a symbolic representation of the Baltic Way.