Restoration of Lithuanian Independence Commemorated in Tokyo
Updated 2010-03-11
Lithuanian Embassy in Japan held a commemorative event today at Hillside Plaza in Tokyo to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the restoration of independence of Lithuania.
Among the guests were representatives of the Japanese Foreign Ministry, Imperial Household Agency, foreign diplomats, journalists, as well as members of academic, cultural and musical circles, and the Lithuanian community in Japan.
In his welcoming address, Ambassador Dainius Kamaitis noted that the issue of independence has not been settled immediately, as there has been an attempt to return Lithuania to the Soviet Union by force, with the Soviet military storming Vilnius and leaving 14 people dead and around 700 injured. However, Lithuania was the first to break free from the communist stronghold triggering a chain reaction which ruined the Soviet empire.
A photo exhibition Message to the World. The Baltic Way: 20 Years On was displayed at the venue, portraying the way of the three Baltic states towards independence and international recognition. Ambassador Kamaitis noted that the collapse of communism in Europe was often symbolized by the fall of the Berlin Wall, however, it was the Baltic Way which had sped up the process of disintegration of the entire Soviet system and has become one of the most significant symbols of liberation in Central and Eastern Europe.
Petras Geniusas, one of the most prominent Lithuanian pianists, winner of the Lithuanian National Award, gave a piano recital which included Edvard Grieg‘s Holberg‘s Time op.40, Alexander Scriabin‘s Piano Sonata No.3, G. Gershwin‘s Rhapsody in Blue and Bronius Kutavicius‘ Piano Sonata.
