What am I grateful to Lithuania for?

I take the sheet and give my hand freedom – I draw lines, draw shapes and unconsciously write 1009. This is the birth of Lithuania! The first mention of my home, my land of happiness! Now I’m not letting my hand move, but my thoughts, images… Green woods, dark forests, a winding track winding towards the rustling, often restless sea. On a sunny day, the dunes of Nida are illuminated, inviting you to experience summer adventures. Upon arrival in the capital, the bells ringing in the Vilnius Cathedral welcome you, the flag fluttering on Gediminas Hill. Heart-warming sights, soul-soothing sounds, right? What if you wake up one morning and you no longer see your surroundings? It would have been replaced by strangers, who speak a language you barely understand or even do not know, nature is unrecognizable: there are no longer large oak trees and the birds chirping in them, and the sound of the sea, which once calmed you down? what he left me I feel the need to thank.
Maybe I’m wrong – in the modernizing environment, certain values ​​such as love, modesty, sincerity are increasingly forgotten, and attention is paid to material details – the proportions of the body, the expensiveness of the car, the size of the diamond in the ring… Having closed ourselves in the shell of our worries, we increasingly do not stop and look back at this, what is really important: living in this moment, being with loved ones, seeing growing, changing children, feeling nature, spending time with yourself and looking closely at nature. Often heard complaints about this and that drive us to pessimism. This happened, I think, because we ourselves did not fight for the freedom for which our ancestors had to bleed. They went into battle with a determined attitude, with a sword and the duty to be armed, at the risk of losing their lives, losing their loved ones, maybe even being exiled. They chose to defend Lithuania for the sake of prosperity, for the future, for the preservation of what we now call our home. I express my sincere thanks to the defenders of freedom who resisted the Soviet aggression on January 13, 1991 – we often remember their experience, the terrible events that reverberated around the world, and every year we light a candle of memory with respect and gratitude. Because of the consequences of these patriots’ actions, I can openly express my opinion and feel heard. Of course, we have to thank our brave and patriotic ancestors not only for preserving the land of Lithuania, but also for setting a good example of a brave, dignified, heroic person.
In addition to giving thanks for the inspiring struggles for independence, I feel a responsibility to mention the preservation of the mother tongue. I would single out Jurgis Bielinis, otherwise known as the king of booksellers, as an exceptional personality who left a bright mark in Lithuanian culture by fostering the word of mouth. He distributed the banned Lithuanian press during the difficult years of censorship, created a press distribution network and contributed to the preservation of the native language – a very significant feature of the state – through other activities. In memory of the active patriot, the sculpture “Knygnešys”, now erected in Kaunas, symbolizes the character of Lithuanians who did not give up even during the period of tsarist oppression. I would like to thank Vincas Kudirka, the author of the Lithuanian national anthem “Tautiška giesmė”, who preserved the language: his work is mentioned in all Lithuanian holidays and not only in Lithuania. How unitedly, energetically the anthem sounds in a full sports arena, where basketball competitions are important. The mother tongue allows you to feel the community of members of the nation, awakens patriotism, and strengthens the sense of identity. I bow my head low to such people, because without them, I don’t know what fate Lithuania would have today. Don’t know if we should have Lithuania?
It is definitely worth turning to the past more often and, remembering our roots, think about what our compatriots had to face, feel gratitude to them for the opportunity to experience peace and enjoy freedom. After taking a look at what is happening in the neighboring countries, we must realize that what we have today is not forever, you usually don’t know what awaits you the next day, so you should take care and try to preserve the happiness you have every minute. So, I am grateful to my native Lithuania for independence, indescribably beautiful nature, where you can once again concentrate the harmony lost in the daily routine, for such a rich, sensual, delicate and archaic Lithuanian language, for the opportunity to develop a conscious personality.
“For everything that I have now, what I am becoming, I am very grateful to Lithuania!” – unconsciously my hand starts the sentence.

Ugnė LABOKAITĖ
Gargždų “Rainbow” high school graduate

The creative work of U. Labokaitė, a student of Lithuanian teacher Zofija Vaitkuviene of Gargžda “Vaivorykštės” high school, was sent to the European Parliament member, prof. Poem and essay competition “Celebrating Lithuania” organized by Luudas Mažylis. The author was encouraged by the thanks of the MEP.