Why dignity matters for Lithuania

Jonas Basanavičius (23 November 1851 – 16 February 1927) was an activist and proponent of Lithuania's National Revival and founder of the first Lithuanian language newspaper Aušra. He was a signatory of the Act of Independence of Lithuania on 16 February 1918 Basanavičius is often given the unique informal honorific title of the "Patriarch of the Nation" for his contributions and help in re-establishing the Lithuanian state.

By Aage Myhre, Editor-in-Chief
aage.myhre@VilNews.com

“A man's country is not a certain area of land, of
mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle; and
patriotism is loyalty to that principle.”
- George William Curtis

It is 16 February 2012. It is today exactly 94 years since a group of brave men wrote the Lithuanian declaration of independence after the country had been under Tsarist Russia's iron heel through more than 100 years. These men represented a generation that certainly felt an overwhelming sense of pride at the dawn of renewed independence. The Act of February 16 was signed by all 20 representatives of the Council of Lithuania, proclaiming the restoration of an independent State of Lithuania, governed by democratic principles. The meeting and signing procedures were chaired by Jonas Basanavičius, the man often given the unique informal honorific title of the "Patriarch of the Nation" for his contributions and help in re-establishing the Lithuanian state.

What these men presented from the balcony of a house in Pilies street here in Vilnius Old Town was not much more than a piece of paper. But it was a paper that symbolized a nation willing to throw off the yoke. A nation that had won back its self respect and dignity in spite of the injustice and oppression that had been going on since the Russian occupation started in 1795.

We salute these men for their courage and foresight. We salute them because they, in faith, hope and dignity clearly showed that Lithuania wanted to live up to its proud history as a nation of greatness.

Great nations are founded on self-belief!

As we now know, the newfound freedom was not going to last much more than 20 years. But they were 20 important years in which Lithuanians showed the world and themselves that the citizens and the country's leaders had the ability to collaborate an utterly successful reconstruction of the nation. Pride, dignity and courage came to characterize the inter-war years of this country.

The years 1988-1991 were also characterized by dignity and confidence. The quiet revolution that defined the Lithuanian and the other Baltic States' revolt against Soviet rule was almost like a textbook on how a nation's inner strength can lead to freedom originating from within, from its own citizens.

The 21 years that have passed since 1991, have not in the same good way as the 21 inter-war years demonstrated a nation where citizens have regained pride and commitment to joint efforts for the home country. Distrust, corruption and greed has unfortunately become all too characteristic of the last two decades. Hundreds of thousands have left

Lithuania during these years, frustrated by the absence of expected progress, of seeing that cheating on many levels is still going on, and that a small minority have made ​​themselves rich at public expense.

It is in this situation easy to blame the nation's leaders. And for good reason. But the country's own citizens, especially the young, should be united in a common effort and take responsibility for a better future. Politicians and leaders should show the way, but the exertion must come from within, from the people.

"Ask not what your country can do for you –
ask what you can do for your country."
- John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961

VilNews wants to contribute to the cause of supporting the Lithuanian people, wherever in the world they are located, to once again feel pride and enjoyment of their homeland. We would like to see many of those who have emigrated and their descendants to return home again. We want to see a joint effort for the home country among Lithuanians all over the world. We want the team feeling back.

Patriotism, pride and dignity are important elements in order for such efforts to succeed. We have, with this as background, invited a group of prominent individuals who represent dignity and patriotism in an outstanding manner. They are all born in Lithuania before World War II, a period when Lithuania flourished. Some of them have lived most of their lives in this country while others fled to western countries when Stalin's war machinery rolled into their homeland.

Common to them all, however, is that they continuously have fought for the fatherland, wherever in the world they have been living or working.

On this very special day for Lithuania, the 16^th of February, it's a great pleasure to honour and thank these individuals for their tremendous efforts and attitudes to the homeland. They have something to teach us. They have, through the way they have lived their lives, and their wisdom, something important to share with all of us who are related to Lithuania.

They represent the sort of dignity and patriotism that we all should let us inspire by and follow.

Statement from the VilNews Honorary Council We, the undersigned have accepted the honour of becoming members of VilNews e-magazine’s Honorary Council because we fully support VilNews as a free, independent, serious, and honest publication with the noble goals of connecting people around the globe with ties to Lithuania by giving them a forum and voice so they can actively participate and dialogue with the homeland and each other. Our beloved Lithuania is undergoing difficult times. We wish to foster a greater appreciation of what our proud and honourable nation and our people, both at home and abroad, truly represent. We, the members of the Honorary Council, wish to contribute, embody, and set standards that enhance the progress and development of Lithuania as a great nation based on dignity, wisdom, tolerance, multiculturalism, and respect for each other. We invite everyone with ties to Lithuania to participate and get actively involved in support of these noble goals, both through dialogue and mutual cooperation. We are proud to state that Lithuania today is a free and independent nation with norms, values, and visions that are deeply rooted in our country’s long and proud history, and it is these outstanding qualities that define our country and our people as the nation called Lithuania. These are the traits that have made Lithuania a great, progressive, and prosperous force in human history. Now our nation needs to pull together so that we can confront boldly the challenges we face and take responsibility for our own future again. Our participation in the Honorary Council does not imply that we, either as a group or as individuals, necessarily agree with all of the opinions the publication’s editorial staff, readers, and other parties may express in articles, comments, or other published content, but we do affirm and advocate freedom of the press, speech, and other forms of legitimate expression as among the inviolable rights of a democratic Lithuania, based on the ethical standards outlined in the publication’s own “Code of Ethics” (ref VilNews Section 3). We encourage Lithuanians and readers around the world to express their opinions and views through VilNews with the common goal of contributing to a better and more prosperous future for the worldwide Lithuanian community and the nation called “Lithuania!” Irena Veisaite – Valdas Adamkus – Jonas Kronkaitis – Stasys Backaitis Vytautas Slliupas – Tomas Venclova – Ramunas Katilius – Siminoas Alperavicius – Vytas Gruodis

Why is dignity important for Lithuania?

For me dignity has to do with the feeling of self-worth. Something every person and nation needs to have to succeed and feel good. Still my experience is that in spite of its universal appeal, this remains a topic rarely discussed. We all have experience of it but may not have words to describe it or a wish to talk about it.

We all know how great it is to be seen, heard, and acknowledged for who we are and treated as if we mattered. Who doesn't enjoy the praise of being recognized for doing a good job or being honoured for going beyond the call of duty?

We also know what it feels like to be treated as inferior, discriminated against, ignored, misunderstood, criticized and excluded. There is little worse than being in a situation where you are treated unfairly and can do nothing about it, or being excluded from something that means a lot to you.

We are all too well aware of the feelings that accompany these violations of our dignity. What is not so common is to bring them up for discussion. It is often too embarrassing to admit that we have been treated so badly. It is why attention on matters of dignity and to give us a language to bring these issues to the surface so that we can legitimize the suffering that accompanies these painful human experiences and do something about them.

We don't have to just live with them, we need to address them. So does the nation called Lithuania.

Matters of dignity are at the heart of every interaction we have with other people or nations. They show up in the work, in schools, at home, in intimate relationships – everywhere human beings come into contact with one another. All over the world dignity violations abound. In work or social relations people often feel that they are not treated well, but have no way to "speak-up" for fear of retribution. Many feel it would be career suicide to go to their bosses and tell them that they have violated their dignity. The end result is that there is a lot of resentment on the part of employees and little desire to extend themselves beyond what their job requires. It is infuriating to them that they are being mistreated and that there is no way to give voice to it. Conflicts over dignity are an everyday experience but very few people feel skilled in handling them.

This is why I think matters of dignity are of highest importance both for and within Lithuania. The time has come to shed light on something that we may not have either the courage or language to discuss. The shame that accompanies being treated badly prevents us from doing the very thing we need to do to recover from violations of our dignity: bring them out into the open, validate them, and give them the attention they deserve.

We wouldn't think twice about getting help when we have a physical injury. When we have a wound to our dignity there is nowhere to go; no emergency call or room. Bringing the issue to light can help us all heal from the many subtle and not so subtle ways that indignity has found its way into our lives.

We, Lithuania, can do better and we should do it with dignity.

“Dignity does not float down from heaven it cannot be purchased nor manufactured. It is a reward reserved for those who labour with diligence.”
- Bill Hybels