Lithuanian parliament advances proposal for Seda battle remembrance day

Lithuania’s parliament has given initial support to a proposal to designate a remembrance day for the Battle of Seda, LRT reports. The measure was backed by 50 MPs on Thursday, while two abstained.

The proposed remembrance day would fall on October 7. Social Democrat MP Ingrida Braziulienė, who introduced the proposal, said it aims to strengthen historical memory, civic spirit and respect for those who fought for Lithuania’s freedom.

On October 7, 1944, soldiers of the Homeland Protection Unit fought the Red Army near the town of Seda as it advanced into Lithuanian territory. The battle is considered one of the last episodes of organised armed Lithuanian resistance to the Soviet occupation during the Second World War. Many of those who took part were young volunteers and former Lithuanian army officers and soldiers.

The town of Seda, in Mažeikiai District Municipality, holds annual commemorations of the battle. The bill will be considered by the Education and Science Committee before returning to the parliament’s plenary chamber, where it is expected to be taken up on January 7 during a session scheduled to resume next year.

Under the law, a remembrance day marks an event significant to the creation and consolidation of Lithuanian statehood, the promotion of universal values, or the preservation of commemorative culture and living history.