VILNIUS — Lithuania celebrated two decades of independence Thursday, so Baltic Reports asked Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius, himself a member of the independence movement, to reflect on what the anniversary meant to him.

Since Lithuania’s independence Kubilius has served in the Seimas and was prime minister from 1999 to 2000 before retaking the position in 2008.

But in March 11, 1990 Kubilius, 33-years-old at the time, was still new to politics. He was working as an executive secretary in Sąjūdis, Lithuania’s independence movement. He was a recent university graduate, having earned a PhD in physics from Vilnius State University a few years earlier only to [private_supervisor]veer into politics in 1988 as Mikhail Gorbachev’s glastnost policy opened up political expression in the previously totalitarian Soviet Union.

Baltic Reports: What are your memories of the day when Lithuania’s freedom was restored?

Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius: Your question, you know, in all sincerity, makes me feel like a veteran from the pitched battle for independence, or, more precisely, makes me feel a rapid flow of time. That spring-like day of March 11, 1990 is and will continue to be indelibly imprinted in my memory forever. It can’t be anything else. It was a turning point in the history of Lithuania — we restored its independence and it seemed to me in those days, living through an intense feeling of general euphoria, that the whole world was gazing at my country in admiration for our courage, our unity. Lithuania was ahead of others in terms of breaking the Soviet empire and teaching other nations how to muster up courage in the face of adversities. I am sure this is not a broad-based and high-sounding turn of phrase. Besides, I do remember my visit at the Wernigerode Castle in Aug. 1989 where I saw Gorbachev and Honecker portraits still hanging on its walls.

I am grateful to the destiny for opportunities it opened up for me to get actively involved in the Sąjūdis and to make my modest contribution to freedom aspirations; so, from 1988 onwards, as I plunged headlong into politics, I am still walking along this interesting path.

BR: Were you at all surprised by how quickly events took place or did it seem the culmination of many years of hard work? When did you realise the declaration would take place?

Kubilius: Casting my mind back to 1990, I can openly confess that we had no time to stand in wonder, let alone be alarmed about the upbeat tempo of events as the pace of freedom in Lithuania pace picked up. Retrospectively looking back at those days, I have to admit, though, the events were unraveling at breakneck speed. As you are all aware, the reform movement was fervently backed up by the whole nation, and the key goal was clear from the very outset: restoration of Lithuanian independence. Initially, we have veiled our real plans by saying that we care only about economic and environmental issues and will move calmly, step by step, to meet our goal. I think it was the right tactics to adopt and it was a success. Avoiding sweeping historic generalizations, I could say that the reform movement did not come out of nowhere. A long period of Soviet occupied failed to break the backbone of Lithuanians, to crush the spirit of resistance and freedom aspirations by various means. And that day finally dawned.

BR: Were you fearful at any time?

Kubilius: Well, I would not sound sincere if I said that I had not felt any sort of numbing fear then, but it was very short-lived and left no lasting effect on me. Both Lithuania and the world were deeply shocked by the January events in 1991. When the raging and desperate Soviet leaders took to violence as a last resort (it was usual practice of Soviet authorities) hoping to instill fear into us by sheer cruelty and crush our freedom by rolling out tanks and driving them through lines of people. But the events have panned out contrary to the expectations of the aggressor: we were an unshakable force to be reckoned with and felt that we were not alone. The unity of nation had overcome fear — I always repeat these words by bowing my head in memory of those brave patriots who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the motherland.

BR: How do you feel Lithuania has progressed in the last 20 years, as you anticipated or rather differently?

Kubilius: Lithuania has undeniably made giant leap. We joined the European Union and reunited with the family of democratic states sharing Christian values. The market economy brought us back to the world market. We escorted occupying troops home, and today we have NATO fighters policing our airspace … we did leave our Soviet passports hanging on the fence-bars of the barricades at the Seimas; today we have Schengen visas and can travel freely from Kybartai (a town on the border with the Russian Federation) to California. Finally, Lithuania boasts the fourth place in the world according to the quality of broadband Internet.  Looking back on Lithuania’s history, I can state that Lithuania has never made such huge progress in such a short period of time.

Over 20 years, we have learned not to fear changes, we are an extremely dynamic and tenacious nation. We are still trying to cope with some ailments which were inherited from the Soviet period, but we do not tremble in the face of difficulties or challenges, nor do we fear to correct mistakes, and this makes us stronger than many others.

BR: Do you feel young people are sufficiently aware of the events 20 years ago and the role of Sajudis?

Kubilius: I am convinced that the young people are sufficiently aware of the events 20 years ago. They might not feel too much excited about specific details of the then events, but they are as patriotic as my generation. It is with great hope that I look to young people. They have completed their studies in Western universities, gained modern management know-how, worked in transnational corporations and will certainly make a new generation which will create a prosperous and competitive Lithuania to successfully address and cope with the challenges of globalization in the years to come. [/private_supervisor] [private_subscription 1 month]veer into politics in 1988 as Mikhail Gorbachev’s glastnost policy opened up political expression in the previously totalitarian Soviet Union.

Baltic Reports: What are your memories of the day when Lithuania’s freedom was restored?

Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius: Your question, you know, in all sincerity, makes me feel like a veteran from the pitched battle for independence, or, more precisely, makes me feel a rapid flow of time. That spring-like day of March 11, 1990 is and will continue to be indelibly imprinted in my memory forever. It can’t be anything else. It was a turning point in the history of Lithuania — we restored its independence and it seemed to me in those days, living through an intense feeling of general euphoria, that the whole world was gazing at my country in admiration for our courage, our unity. Lithuania was ahead of others in terms of breaking the Soviet empire and teaching other nations how to muster up courage in the face of adversities. I am sure this is not a broad-based and high-sounding turn of phrase. Besides, I do remember my visit at the Wernigerode Castle in Aug. 1989 where I saw Gorbachev and Honecker portraits still hanging on its walls.

I am grateful to the destiny for opportunities it opened up for me to get actively involved in the Sąjūdis and to make my modest contribution to freedom aspirations; so, from 1988 onwards, as I plunged headlong into politics, I am still walking along this interesting path.

BR: Were you at all surprised by how quickly events took place or did it seem the culmination of many years of hard work? When did you realise the declaration would take place?

Kubilius: Casting my mind back to 1990, I can openly confess that we had no time to stand in wonder, let alone be alarmed about the upbeat tempo of events as the pace of freedom in Lithuania pace picked up. Retrospectively looking back at those days, I have to admit, though, the events were unraveling at breakneck speed. As you are all aware, the reform movement was fervently backed up by the whole nation, and the key goal was clear from the very outset: restoration of Lithuanian independence. Initially, we have veiled our real plans by saying that we care only about economic and environmental issues and will move calmly, step by step, to meet our goal. I think it was the right tactics to adopt and it was a success. Avoiding sweeping historic generalizations, I could say that the reform movement did not come out of nowhere. A long period of Soviet occupied failed to break the backbone of Lithuanians, to crush the spirit of resistance and freedom aspirations by various means. And that day finally dawned.

BR: Were you fearful at any time?

Kubilius: Well, I would not sound sincere if I said that I had not felt any sort of numbing fear then, but it was very short-lived and left no lasting effect on me. Both Lithuania and the world were deeply shocked by the January events in 1991. When the raging and desperate Soviet leaders took to violence as a last resort (it was usual practice of Soviet authorities) hoping to instill fear into us by sheer cruelty and crush our freedom by rolling out tanks and driving them through lines of people. But the events have panned out contrary to the expectations of the aggressor: we were an unshakable force to be reckoned with and felt that we were not alone. The unity of nation had overcome fear — I always repeat these words by bowing my head in memory of those brave patriots who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the motherland.

BR: How do you feel Lithuania has progressed in the last 20 years, as you anticipated or rather differently?

Kubilius: Lithuania has undeniably made giant leap. We joined the European Union and reunited with the family of democratic states sharing Christian values. The market economy brought us back to the world market. We escorted occupying troops home, and today we have NATO fighters policing our airspace … we did leave our Soviet passports hanging on the fence-bars of the barricades at the Seimas; today we have Schengen visas and can travel freely from Kybartai (a town on the border with the Russian Federation) to California. Finally, Lithuania boasts the fourth place in the world according to the quality of broadband Internet. Looking back on Lithuania’s history, I can state that Lithuania has never made such huge progress in such a short period of time.

Over 20 years, we have learned not to fear changes, we are an extremely dynamic and tenacious nation. We are still trying to cope with some ailments which were inherited from the Soviet period, but we do not tremble in the face of difficulties or challenges, nor do we fear to correct mistakes, and this makes us stronger than many others.

BR: Do you feel young people are sufficiently aware of the events 20 years ago and the role of Sajudis?

Kubilius: I am convinced that the young people are sufficiently aware of the events 20 years ago. They might not feel too much excited about specific details of the then events, but they are as patriotic as my generation. It is with great hope that I look to young people. They have completed their studies in Western universities, gained modern management know-how, worked in transnational corporations and will certainly make a new generation which will create a prosperous and competitive Lithuania to successfully address and cope with the challenges of globalization in the years to come. [/private_subscription 1 month] [private_subscription 4 months]veer into politics in 1988 as Mikhail Gorbachev’s glastnost policy opened up political expression in the previously totalitarian Soviet Union.

Baltic Reports: What are your memories of the day when Lithuania’s freedom was restored?

Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius: Your question, you know, in all sincerity, makes me feel like a veteran from the pitched battle for independence, or, more precisely, makes me feel a rapid flow of time. That spring-like day of March 11, 1990 is and will continue to be indelibly imprinted in my memory forever. It can’t be anything else. It was a turning point in the history of Lithuania — we restored its independence and it seemed to me in those days, living through an intense feeling of general euphoria, that the whole world was gazing at my country in admiration for our courage, our unity. Lithuania was ahead of others in terms of breaking the Soviet empire and teaching other nations how to muster up courage in the face of adversities. I am sure this is not a broad-based and high-sounding turn of phrase. Besides, I do remember my visit at the Wernigerode Castle in Aug. 1989 where I saw Gorbachev and Honecker portraits still hanging on its walls.

I am grateful to the destiny for opportunities it opened up for me to get actively involved in the Sąjūdis and to make my modest contribution to freedom aspirations; so, from 1988 onwards, as I plunged headlong into politics, I am still walking along this interesting path.

BR: Were you at all surprised by how quickly events took place or did it seem the culmination of many years of hard work? When did you realise the declaration would take place?

Kubilius: Casting my mind back to 1990, I can openly confess that we had no time to stand in wonder, let alone be alarmed about the upbeat tempo of events as the pace of freedom in Lithuania pace picked up. Retrospectively looking back at those days, I have to admit, though, the events were unraveling at breakneck speed. As you are all aware, the reform movement was fervently backed up by the whole nation, and the key goal was clear from the very outset: restoration of Lithuanian independence. Initially, we have veiled our real plans by saying that we care only about economic and environmental issues and will move calmly, step by step, to meet our goal. I think it was the right tactics to adopt and it was a success. Avoiding sweeping historic generalizations, I could say that the reform movement did not come out of nowhere. A long period of Soviet occupied failed to break the backbone of Lithuanians, to crush the spirit of resistance and freedom aspirations by various means. And that day finally dawned.

BR: Were you fearful at any time?

Kubilius: Well, I would not sound sincere if I said that I had not felt any sort of numbing fear then, but it was very short-lived and left no lasting effect on me. Both Lithuania and the world were deeply shocked by the January events in 1991. When the raging and desperate Soviet leaders took to violence as a last resort (it was usual practice of Soviet authorities) hoping to instill fear into us by sheer cruelty and crush our freedom by rolling out tanks and driving them through lines of people. But the events have panned out contrary to the expectations of the aggressor: we were an unshakable force to be reckoned with and felt that we were not alone. The unity of nation had overcome fear — I always repeat these words by bowing my head in memory of those brave patriots who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the motherland.

BR: How do you feel Lithuania has progressed in the last 20 years, as you anticipated or rather differently?

Kubilius: Lithuania has undeniably made giant leap. We joined the European Union and reunited with the family of democratic states sharing Christian values. The market economy brought us back to the world market. We escorted occupying troops home, and today we have NATO fighters policing our airspace … we did leave our Soviet passports hanging on the fence-bars of the barricades at the Seimas; today we have Schengen visas and can travel freely from Kybartai (a town on the border with the Russian Federation) to California. Finally, Lithuania boasts the fourth place in the world according to the quality of broadband Internet. Looking back on Lithuania’s history, I can state that Lithuania has never made such huge progress in such a short period of time.

Over 20 years, we have learned not to fear changes, we are an extremely dynamic and tenacious nation. We are still trying to cope with some ailments which were inherited from the Soviet period, but we do not tremble in the face of difficulties or challenges, nor do we fear to correct mistakes, and this makes us stronger than many others.

BR: Do you feel young people are sufficiently aware of the events 20 years ago and the role of Sajudis?

Kubilius: I am convinced that the young people are sufficiently aware of the events 20 years ago. They might not feel too much excited about specific details of the then events, but they are as patriotic as my generation. It is with great hope that I look to young people. They have completed their studies in Western universities, gained modern management know-how, worked in transnational corporations and will certainly make a new generation which will create a prosperous and competitive Lithuania to successfully address and cope with the challenges of globalization in the years to come. [/private_subscription 4 months] [private_subscription 1 year]veer into politics in 1988 as Mikhail Gorbachev’s glastnost policy opened up political expression in the previously totalitarian Soviet Union.

Baltic Reports: What are your memories of the day when Lithuania’s freedom was restored?

Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius: Your question, you know, in all sincerity, makes me feel like a veteran from the pitched battle for independence, or, more precisely, makes me feel a rapid flow of time. That spring-like day of March 11, 1990 is and will continue to be indelibly imprinted in my memory forever. It can’t be anything else. It was a turning point in the history of Lithuania — we restored its independence and it seemed to me in those days, living through an intense feeling of general euphoria, that the whole world was gazing at my country in admiration for our courage, our unity. Lithuania was ahead of others in terms of breaking the Soviet empire and teaching other nations how to muster up courage in the face of adversities. I am sure this is not a broad-based and high-sounding turn of phrase. Besides, I do remember my visit at the Wernigerode Castle in Aug. 1989 where I saw Gorbachev and Honecker portraits still hanging on its walls.

I am grateful to the destiny for opportunities it opened up for me to get actively involved in the Sąjūdis and to make my modest contribution to freedom aspirations; so, from 1988 onwards, as I plunged headlong into politics, I am still walking along this interesting path.

BR: Were you at all surprised by how quickly events took place or did it seem the culmination of many years of hard work? When did you realise the declaration would take place?

Kubilius: Casting my mind back to 1990, I can openly confess that we had no time to stand in wonder, let alone be alarmed about the upbeat tempo of events as the pace of freedom in Lithuania pace picked up. Retrospectively looking back at those days, I have to admit, though, the events were unraveling at breakneck speed. As you are all aware, the reform movement was fervently backed up by the whole nation, and the key goal was clear from the very outset: restoration of Lithuanian independence. Initially, we have veiled our real plans by saying that we care only about economic and environmental issues and will move calmly, step by step, to meet our goal. I think it was the right tactics to adopt and it was a success. Avoiding sweeping historic generalizations, I could say that the reform movement did not come out of nowhere. A long period of Soviet occupied failed to break the backbone of Lithuanians, to crush the spirit of resistance and freedom aspirations by various means. And that day finally dawned.

BR: Were you fearful at any time?

Kubilius: Well, I would not sound sincere if I said that I had not felt any sort of numbing fear then, but it was very short-lived and left no lasting effect on me. Both Lithuania and the world were deeply shocked by the January events in 1991. When the raging and desperate Soviet leaders took to violence as a last resort (it was usual practice of Soviet authorities) hoping to instill fear into us by sheer cruelty and crush our freedom by rolling out tanks and driving them through lines of people. But the events have panned out contrary to the expectations of the aggressor: we were an unshakable force to be reckoned with and felt that we were not alone. The unity of nation had overcome fear — I always repeat these words by bowing my head in memory of those brave patriots who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the motherland.

BR: How do you feel Lithuania has progressed in the last 20 years, as you anticipated or rather differently?

Kubilius: Lithuania has undeniably made giant leap. We joined the European Union and reunited with the family of democratic states sharing Christian values. The market economy brought us back to the world market. We escorted occupying troops home, and today we have NATO fighters policing our airspace … we did leave our Soviet passports hanging on the fence-bars of the barricades at the Seimas; today we have Schengen visas and can travel freely from Kybartai (a town on the border with the Russian Federation) to California. Finally, Lithuania boasts the fourth place in the world according to the quality of broadband Internet. Looking back on Lithuania’s history, I can state that Lithuania has never made such huge progress in such a short period of time.

Over 20 years, we have learned not to fear changes, we are an extremely dynamic and tenacious nation. We are still trying to cope with some ailments which were inherited from the Soviet period, but we do not tremble in the face of difficulties or challenges, nor do we fear to correct mistakes, and this makes us stronger than many others.

BR: Do you feel young people are sufficiently aware of the events 20 years ago and the role of Sajudis?

Kubilius: I am convinced that the young people are sufficiently aware of the events 20 years ago. They might not feel too much excited about specific details of the then events, but they are as patriotic as my generation. It is with great hope that I look to young people. They have completed their studies in Western universities, gained modern management know-how, worked in transnational corporations and will certainly make a new generation which will create a prosperous and competitive Lithuania to successfully address and cope with the challenges of globalization in the years to come. [/private_subscription 1 year]

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