Let’s light the lights of January 13 in Alytus district!

We invite all institutions, institutions, organizations and residents of the Alytus district to light the lights of January 13 in the Alytus district! The International Commission for the Evaluation of the Crimes of the Nazi and Soviet Occupation Regimes in Lithuania organizes the civic initiative “Light of Victory” dedicated to commemorating the events of January 13 and January 12. At 8:00 a.m., you are invited to light candles of unity, memory and victory in the windows for ten minutes.

33rd year. So much time has passed since the tragic and historically important events of January 13 in Lithuania, when the strong desire for unity and freedom became the key to the independence of the restored state.

“With the civic initiative “Light of Victory”, let’s remember January 1991, when the citizens of Lithuania, driven by the pursuit of unity and freedom, achieved a historic victory. The nation resisted the aggression of the Soviet occupiers and local collaborators and the attempt to carry out a coup by military force and defended the Independence of the restored state.

The victory of the citizens of Lithuania against the aggressor in 1991 is the most prominent event in the recent history of our country – it was a crucial turning point on the way to the restoration and consolidation of independence, which determined not only the future of our country, but also the fundamental international geopolitical processes. In those days, the fates of all the nations and states enslaved by the Soviet empire were basically being decided, and the future of Europe was being decided. And we can be proud of this victory. It was a victory for the Nation. And the nation is not only the people who lived at that historical moment, but also the previous generations who laid the foundations of the pursuit of freedom – volunteers of the independence struggles, post-war partisans and resistance fighters – this is also today’s generation, which grew up in Independent Lithuania, and their children, who will live and create of the future in Lithuania”, the organizers’ invitation reads.

The symbol of the initiative is a candlewhich symbolizes life, light, justice, memory and unity.

Place: institutions, organizations, homes of all Lithuanian residents. If working remotely – let’s light candles at the windows in our home.

Data: in 2024 January 12 (Friday).

Citizen initiative time: 8.00–8.10 val.

Proposal for the organization of the initiative: A candle is placed in the middle of each window. Candles should be a few centimeters high so that the window frame does not block their flame. 8:00 a.m. lights are turned off for ten minutes and candles are lit.

It is important to light the candles at the same time (8:00-8:10 a.m.) so that the candle flames flutter all over Lithuania at the same time. It looks especially effective in the morning, because it is still dark and the candle flames will attract attention and remind you of the importance of the day.

The citizenship initiative “LIGHT OF VICTORY” (formerly known as “Memory is alive because it witnesses”) has been organized since 2008. The number of educational institutions and other institutions supporting this initiative increases every year. The initiative is actively supported not only by Lithuanian educational institutions, but also by state institutions. It has already become a tradition that the President of the Republic of Lithuania, the Seimas, the Government, ministries, municipalities, embassies of the Republic of Lithuania abroad, museums, libraries, hospitals, police commissariats, border checkpoints, institutions, organizations and citizens of Lithuania join this initiative.

Those intending to join the civic initiative “Light of Victory” please register: https://www.komisija.lt/renginiai/pilietine-iniciatyva-pergales-sviesa/

After filling out the registration form, your data will not be immediately visible in the general list of participants on the website.

If you have any questions, we will be happy to provide more detailed information by phone at 8 5 209 8818, 8 5 209 8804 or by e-mail. by mail: [email protected], [email protected];

More information about this initiative in previous years: www.komisija.lt

Information of the International Commission to Assess the Crimes of the Nazi and Soviet Occupation Regimes in Lithuania and the Communication Department of the Alytus District Municipal Administration