Where are the new ideas that could bring Lithuania forwards?

OLD AND NEW LITHUANIA

Photo: Aage Myhre

Lithuania is a country built on ideas. In my opinion, creativity is this nation’s most fundamental natural resource. Through 800 years Lithuania has time after time been able to show the world that there is an underlying creativity and human power here that enables us to rise again after even the most dramatic defeat or tragedy, again and again to take initiatives that lead to glory, fame and new opportunities for Lithuanians and individuals from other nations and cultures living here.

Lithuania needs today new ideas, and I want to challenge all of you who read VilNews to make your suggestions. I consider 2010 an excellent year to initiate a wave of creativity among all of us who want to contribute to this country's best interests.

I have in my life invented only one new word. But in return this word was included in the Norwegian dictionaries and encyclopaedias already in the 1980s. The Norwegian Language Council even stated at the time that this was one of the best new Norwegian words they had seen in years, so it would be an understatement not to admit that I was a bit proud hearing this. The word was 'idédugnad', composed of the elements idea and dugnad. Dugnad is a well-known Norwegian word which in translation means something like 'voluntary communal work'. The American term ‘brainstorming’ is very similar, but ‘idédugnad’ somehow represents, at least for me, a more active and pragmatic following up of the ideas, into real action, after they have been put on the table.

The reason for my 'invention' was that I 26 years ago initiated a rather huge session with top people from politics, business, culture, education, research, etc. in the Norwegian city of Trondheim, where I studied and lived for the years 1974-1985. As result, a large group of busy individuals met for an entire early spring Saturday to discuss and make proposals on how Trondheim best should be developed towards the city's 1000-year anniversary in 1997. It was a successful session that was later repeated and further developed, and what I think we all saw and experienced was that people from many different professions and cultures quite easily were able to sit together and agree on common objectives. ‘Team Trondheim’ became a real force that included a very broad cross section of people, and the results were quite impressive, as I see it - even today.

My hope and desire is that we can get started with something similar here in Lithuania. I am convinced it is possible to also do this here which I think the following listing of some 14 top Lithuanian ideas represents excellent proof of, and I hope we all would be ready to join forces. Lithuania needs new ideas, of course followed by realistic implementation and the power to realise the best ones.

I would also suggest for you to have a look at the web page http://www.ted.com/pages/view/id/5

“We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world. So we're building here a clearinghouse that offers free knowledge and inspiration from the world's most inspired thinkers, and also a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other.”

And, if you can, please spend a few minutes on this one; “William Kamkwamba on building a windmill”. It’s  an amazing story about the young boy who one day got the idea to start supplying electricity to his family… http://www.ted.com/talks/william_kamkwamba_on_building_a_windmill.html  PS: He succeeded!

So, if you don’t mind, send us YOUR ideas for Lithuania that we can share with the other VilNews readers.

throughout history?

1200s

King Mindaugas’ grand idea was to found

the Lithuanian State!

Lithuania’s only king is also credited with stopping the advance of the Tatars towards the Baltic Sea and Europe, establishing international recognition of Lithuania, and turning it towards Western civilization.

1300s

Gediminas’ idea was to found Vilnius as one of the World’s most tolerant cities

Grand Duke Gediminas was also the true founder of ‘The Grand Duchy of Lithuania’. He was a man of extraordinary knowledge and wisdom, offering free access into Lithuania to Europeans of every order and profession.

1400s

Vytautas the Great’s idea was to expand

‘The Grand Duchy of Lithuania’

Vytautas the Great  was the Grand Duke expanding the Grand Duchy‘s frontiers from the Baltic Sea south to the Black Sea and thereby creating the by then largest country in Europe. The Grand Duchy was at its largest by the middle of the 15^th Century.

1500s

Sigismund the Old’s idea was to connect Italy and Lithuania, with the help of Leonardo da Vinci!

When Lithuania’s Grand Duke, Sigismund the Old in 1518 married the Italian Princess Bona Sforza, this became an outstanding manifestation of the already strong relationship between Italy and Lithuania. The royal couple created together an Italian community within the court and Italian culture became the preoccupation of the Vilnius city elite.

1700s   

1875-1911

Čiurlionis’ idea was to describe Lithuania’s soul in his art and music During his short life Lithuania’s national composer and painter,  Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, composed about 250 pieces of music and created about 300 paintings.  His works have had a profound influence on modern Lithuanian culture.

1918

Antanas Basanavičius’ grand idea was to reclaim independence for Lithuania

As a member of the Council of Lithuania he was a signer of the Act of Independence of Lithuania on the 16^th of February 1918 (signed in the building at the picture to the left). Basanavičius is often given the unique informal honorific title of the "Patriarch of the Nation".

1918-1940

President Smetona had the idea of again making Lithuania a successful, remarkable nation

 President Antanas Smetona was undoubtedly Lithuania’s most important political figure between the two wars. He served as President from 1919 to 1920, and again from 1926 to 1940. Smetona was also one of the famous ideologists of nationalists in Lithuania. The country was truly flourishing under his presidency.

 1940-1945

1945-1990

Lithuanians who were forced to leave their home country had the idea of keeping on fighting

The post World War II wave of Lithuanian immigrants experienced a surge of Lithuanian consciousness. They saw themselves as exiled communities and clung to their memory of two decades of freedom in Lithuania. They also made numerous efforts to support Lithuania’s freedom fight.

1945-1990

Lithuania had the idea to improve its infrastructure even during Soviet years

Despite huge post war difficulties, Lithuania managed to build around 450 km of four-lane motorways from Vilnius to Klaipėda and Panevėžys. Result? Lithuania got the best roads in East Europe! At the same time Klaipėda port was developed as a leading Baltic transport hub, connecting East and West..

1960-1990

Despite the oppression, Lithuanian experts had the idea to make Lithuania the Soviet Silicon Valley

Still today Lithuania is the world‘s leading exporter of femtosecond lasers. Among the clients is NASA, using Lithuanian laser technology for analyses of minerals on Mars! A country of 3.5 million people, Lithuania, has about 15 laser producers, employing about 300 laser specialists!

1988 – 1991

Landsbergis had the idea that his masses of unarmed Lithuanians could win over the mighty Soviet army 

1990 – 2010

Lithuania’s sport and culture had the idea to remain on world level

I let two of the most prominent figures within these fields represent the fantastic flora of ideas and pure guts sport and culture is playing for Lithuania; Music Professor Donatas Katkus (left) and former basketball player Arvydas Sabonis. Remarkable!!

2000 – 2010

Zuokas’ idea was to build Lithuania’s Manhattan

Vilnius’ former Mayor, Arturas Zuokas, earned his place in Lithuania’s history with his energetic efforts to build a new skyscraper city within the city.

2010 - ?

Ms. President & Mr. Prime Minister,

  Please let us know what are your ideas and visions for the future development of Lithuania.