Kaunas to mark Freedom Day with commemorative event

Kaunas will mark the 33rd anniversary of Freedom Day on Sunday with a ceremony at the Vytautas Magnus War Museum’s military equipment exhibition, LRT reported.

The event will begin with the national anthem and volleys fired by the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union Honour Guard Company. Those attending will observe a minute of silence in memory of people who died for the freedom of Lithuania and Ukraine. A ceremony for new riflemen will also be held.

Alexander Abišala, a signatory of Lithuania’s Act of Independence, former prime minister and member of the negotiating group on the withdrawal of Russian troops, will address the gathering.

Visitors will be able to view military equipment free of charge, take part in the museum’s educational activities and see weapons and equipment used by the Lithuanian Armed Forces, riflemen and other services. The event will also feature a Public Security Service armoured vehicle and a performance by service dogs from the Colonel Juozas Vitkus Engineer Battalion’s canine unit.

The Lithuanian Armed Forces Air Force Orchestra, the National Defence Volunteer Force big band, actor Jokūbas Bareikis and the band Legenda will perform during the celebration.

Lithuania declared independence on March 11, 1990. The last Russian occupying forces left the country shortly before midnight on August 31, 1993. Before the withdrawal, about five divisions, comprising approximately 34,500 troops, 1,000 tanks, 180 aircraft and 1,900 armoured vehicles, were stationed in Lithuania.