Lithuania marks 37th anniversary of Baltic Way
Sunday 23rd August 2026 on 06:15 in
Lithuania
Lithuania is marking the 37th anniversary of the Baltic Way on Sunday with concerts, commemorations, educational activities and other events in major cities, LRT reports.
In Vilnius, a ceremony will take place at noon beside the Baltic Way chapel pillar in the Šeškinė district. The community ensemble Godos will perform patriotic songs, while visitors will be able to take part in kite-making workshops and bracelet-making activities. The event will be held in the renovated square beside the monument.
One section of the Baltic Way passed through Šeškinė on August 23, 1989. The chapel pillar beside Ukmergė Street commemorates the unity of the Baltic peoples and their pursuit of freedom.
In Kaunas, a free concert will be held later in the day on the roof of the Mokslo sala popular science centre on Nemunas Island. The performers will include Linas Adomaitis and the Kaunas Big Band.
Events in Klaipėda’s Sąjūdis Park will begin at noon with a programme by the Lithuanian Navy, a BMX cycling show, a demonstration of a Lithuanian Air Force rescue operation and a meeting with racing driver Rokas Baciuška. An evening concert will feature Dovi Mi, Sauben and the band Vairas.
In Panevėžys, Mass will be celebrated at 10.30 a.m. at Christ the King Cathedral for Lithuania and its people, commemorating the victims of totalitarian regimes and the unity and pursuit of freedom demonstrated by Baltic Way participants.
In Šiauliai, the commemoration will begin at noon with Mass at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. A procession carrying the flags of the Baltic countries will then proceed to the Sundial Square, where Raminta Naujanytė-Bjelle and the Lithuanian Symphonic Wind Orchestra will perform. In the evening, the Laiptai Gallery will open an exhibition of works created during the international Baltic Nights sculpture workshops at the historic Bugailiškiai apple orchard, followed by a concert by Antanas Jasenko.
On August 23, 1989, marking the 50th anniversary of the signing of the pact, about two million Lithuanians, Latvians and Estonians joined hands in a protest action called the Baltic Way. They formed a human chain more than 650 kilometres long, stretching from Gediminas Tower in Vilnius to Herman Tower in Tallinn.