Speeches

Speech by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the Commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of the Day of the Defenders of Freedom

Dear Participants of the January 13 Events,
Dear Family Members of Victims,
Distinguished Members of the Seimas,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

There are days in the life of every nation when the power of will, unity and resilience of its people are tested and when their fate is determined.

For us that day was January 13.

People from all over Lithuania, each individually and all together, stood up to defend their homeland. We clearly realized then that only freedom could preserve our homeland and independence. We rejoiced in the support extended by other nations and we were proud to see their flags of freedom flying side-by-side with Lithuanian tricolors.
We summoned the people and their faith in truth and freedom to protect independence. We summoned their aspiration to live in dignity and respect of our fundamental values and heritage.

Freedom was not given as a gift. We had to fight for it. January 13 took the lives of many. The paratroopers attacked in the dark of the night, with the numbers of their tanks and armored vehicles painted black. They were afraid of daylight, just like they were afraid of truth. They did not want to be identified because they knew very well they were committing a hideous crime. They killed unarmed people. But the power of truth was on our side - not theirs - making us strong and free.

We passed the test of history and courage with blazing bonfires and resounding songs of hope, and it will be always etched in our minds.

As we honor those who fell for freedom, we do not doubt that the guilty will be brought to justice. There is no room for uncertainty here. Time always serves truth and justice. There is no limitation for crimes against humanity.

The vision pursued in the days of Sąjūdis to create a Lithuania free, progressive and fair to every citizen will continue to be the ultimate destination for many generations to come.

Let us remember, experience and revive that feeling of solidarity and brotherhood when all of us were looking in one direction and when Lithuania was what mattered the most. Strangers standing shoulder to shoulder were bound together by sincerity and unconditional faith in the future of their country.

These memories commit us to build a Lithuania that we fought for on January 13.

Let our resolve and determination to continue on this path be strengthened and upheld by the ideals of the defenders of freedom. January 13 is the day of our victory and the source of our unity.

May it stay with us forever and fill our hearts with the spirit of freedom!