Day of the Defenders of Freedom (13 January)
About
Lithuania remembers the 14 civilians killed when Soviet troops stormed the Vilnius TV Tower and Radio and Television building on 13 January 1991. Memorial bonfires burn on the eve, and ceremonies, the Seimas Freedom Prize and a mass at the Cathedral follow on the day.
Highlights
- Memorial bonfires at the Vilnius TV Tower and Independence Square
- 'Flame of Freedom' evening concert in front of the Seimas
- Candles lit in windows across the country
Practical tips
- This is a solemn day. Be respectful at memorial sites
- The TV Tower memorial and museum explain the events of 1991
- Dress warmly for evening gatherings outdoors in January
Sources
Other upcoming events
All Souls' Day (Vėlinės)
A public holiday for remembering the dead, observed the day after All Saints' with continued candle-lighting and graveside visits. Vėlinės has deep roots in Lithuanian folk belief.
All Saints' Day (Visų Šventųjų diena)
A solemn public holiday when Lithuanians visit cemeteries to light candles on family graves. Together with All Souls' Day it creates one of the most atmospheric times of the Lithuanian year.
Date TBCNearby · TrakaiThe Living Middle Ages at Trakai Peninsula Castle
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