The Baltic Way is the largest and most important civic initiative expressing the aspiration of the Baltic States
to regain their independence. Back on 23 August 1989, almost two million people joined hands in the 600 km
long Baltic Way across Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, showing their unity and solidarity in pursuit of freedom.
20 years on, a collection of documents attesting to this peaceful civil initiative was listed in the UNESCO’s
Register of the Memory of the World. The strong sense of fraternity, unity and common purpose became
the key political driver leading to the restoration of the independence of the Baltic States.
Let’s celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Baltic Way together!
18 August, 10.00-12.00 hrs: Oldtimers show and a concert to be held in Vilnius Cathedral Square. The
organiser of the event – the Classic Car Club Klasika – has decided to commemorate the 30th anniversary of
the Baltic Way by organising an antique vehicles’ run that will follow the historical route of the Baltic Way.
23 August, 9.00 hrs: All-motor Baltic Way Run kicks off in Vilnius Cathedral Square, organised by Jeep Club
Lithuania, which is inviting anyone willing to spread the message about this significant event for all the three
Baltic States, while particularly focusing on the 30th anniversary of the Baltic Way, to join this symbolic run
and thus relive the Baltic Way and its main ideas: the UNITY and FREEDOM. To participate, it is enough have
a motor vehicle and register here.
23 August, 19.00 hrs: Both visitors and locals are welcome at the concert to be held in Vilnius Cathedral to
mark the 30th anniversary of the Baltic Way. 30 years ago, people got together in Vilnius Cathedral Square
at the foot of Gediminas Castle to make the first link in the human chain spanning across the three Baltic
States. In memory of this unparalleled expression of unity, let us get together to celebrate the unity and
freedom.
23 August: LRT is creating a unique radio installation to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Baltic Way. On
23 August 1989, radio served as a herald of freedom mobilizing millions of people to join their hands in the
human chain of the Baltic Way. To mark its role in the Baltic Way, the public broadcaster is creating a unique
installation built of old radios, which are hoped to be donated by the people, who are asked to bring them
to LRT office (S. Konarskio Street 49, Vilnius) or take them to any post office in Lithuania by 10 August. The
items are promised to be given new life on 23 August at the Baltic Way celebration in Vilnius Cathedral
Square. For more information about the campaign, please visit: www.lrt.lt
An interactive installation ‘Feel our Freedom’ dedicated to the Baltic Way will open on 23 August in
Gediminas Castle Tower. You will be invited to become part of the Baltic Way at this special place where
everything began thirty years ago. The Gediminas Castle Tower was the point where the human chain started
stretching all the way to Tallinn and thereby expressing the desire of the Baltic nations for freedom.
You will see for yourself what it felt back then (as an adult or a child) holding out your hand to somebody
next to you – most likely a stranger – but in any case, led by one and only cause, i.e. freedom. Authentic
emotions, songs and stories will take you back to that day. There is also a permanent exposition of the Baltic
Way, which will help you get the full picture of what happened back then.
The exposition is a perfect opportunity to relive the moment for those who were actually part of the Baltic
Way and for those who were not – to feel a unique sense of unity and self-determination.
23 August: A movable exhibition ‘People from Klaipėda on the Baltic Way’ held in Klaipėda next to the
monument Arka. The organiser is the History Museum of Lithuania Minor, which is inviting the inhabitants
of the port city, who took part in this extraordinary campaign of the unity, to help make this exhibition
happen by sharing their photos capturing those memorable moments.
23 August, 19.00-21.00 hrs: Commemoration event ‘The Baltics are wakening up’ held at the square of Trakai
Culture Centre.
24 August: Intellectual, cultural moto tourism rally across Lithuania ‘Ryterna Modul Moto tourism Rally’, which
can be joined from any place in Lithuania to finish in Birštonas. The Baltic Way happened because of the people who stood tall in the human chain, and the cultural mototourism rally across Lithuania calls on
everyone to get to know those people and to symbolically recreate the Baltic Way.
31 August, 21.00 hrs: The Baltic States will again join in the Ancient Bonfire Night to celebrate the 30th
anniversary of the Baltic Way. On 31 August, we will light symbolic fires of Baltic unity and friendship along
the coast of the Baltic Sea in memory of the heroes of the Baltic Way. The fires made by us all together will
symbolise the Baltic friendship, unity, common history and cultural heritage.
This celebration will also include poetry, folklore and traditional dance events, which will welcome both the
locals as well as the guests. For more details on the location of bonfires and the events please visit here.
Please note that fires cannot be made on the Baltic Sea coast unless you have all the required authorisations
from the local municipal administrations.
Visit the sites commemorating the Baltic Way
Stretching all the way up to Herman Tower in Tallinn, the Baltic Way started, 30 years ago, in Vilnius Cathedral
Square, at the foot of Gediminas Castle, which now houses an exposition on the Baltic Way, featuring the
map of the Baltic Way, photos, and a documentary.
When in the Cathedral Square, look for a paving tile for the Baltic Way, created by artist Gitenis Umbrasas.
The tile bears the footprints of an unknown participant of the Baltic Way and it covers the buried
commemoration capsule containing the text for future generations.
Another site of relevance is the monument Road of Freedom, standing at the intersection of Konstitucijos
Avenue and Geležinio Vilko Street in Vilnius. It serves the memory of the fight for independence and a symbol
of freedom and unity for future generations. The Road of Freedom symbolises the live human chain that ran
solid across the Baltic States towards freedom 30 years ago (sculptor Tadas Gutauskas, the author of the
idea).
Five commemorative signs of the Baltic Way and information stands can be found in lay-bys on the highway
Vilnius-Panevėžys (left side at 32.1 km and 80.1 km; 38.5 km; right side at 55.6 km and 99.9 km). The road
Panevėžys-Pasvalys-Riga heading towards the Lithuanian-Latvian border has another four Baltic Way
information stands (left side at 19.5 km and 62.9 km; right side at 27.8 km and 47.5 km).
The Ancient Bonfire Night on the Baltic Sea coast – let’s celebrate together the 30th anniversary of the Baltic
Way!
More information: www.lithuania.lt