Lithuanians, Ukrainians and Czechs learned songs of their nations' struggles for freedom together
In aticipation of the Freedom Fighters‘ Day, on Sunday, January 11, the Lithuanian Embassy in Prague organized an afternoon of songs of freedom struggles, to which the general public, folklore lovers, singers and friends were invited. The singing workshop was organized to express solidarity with Ukraine fighting for its freedom.
According to Ambassador Rolandas Kačinskas, the warm meeting through song - voice, memory and common experience - deeply touched all participants. "Song is an expression of strength, courage and identity. Sometimes it becomes even stronger than a firearm. It is no coincidence that we call the period of Lithuania's liberation from Soviet oppression the Singing Revolution," said R. Kačinskas, welcoming those gathered to sing.
Songs of freedom struggles occupy a special place in Lithuanian folklore. They were born from the country's complex history: during the 19th century uprisings against Tsarist Russia, after the restoration of the Lithuanian state in 1918 and its defense by volunteers, during the years of partisan resistance after the Soviet occupation. These songs resounded powerfully again duting the period of regaining independance, were enriched with a new repertoire and accompanied the people on January 13, 1991. "And today, when we hear Ukrainians strengthening their spirit with song, we understand them very well," the ambassador emphasized.
Therefore, the idea of the singing workshop was implemented - to share experience, history and songs, to build bridges through them. The event brought together the voices of Lithuanians, Ukrainians and Czechs as a sign of solidarity with Ukraine's struggle for freedom and mutual support of three like-minded peoples.
The workshops were led by folklorists and singers: Aušrinė Lasytė, Dalia Peseckaitė, Leonora Smulskytė (ensembles Opka and Braška Lizdas), Ukrainian folklore master Ljubow Plawska, and Anežka Heinzlová with members of the ensemble Lada who perform music from the Moravian and Slovak regions.
