The exhibition about Lithuanian fight for freedom is opened in Sarajevo
Rasa Kairienė, the Lithuanian Ambassador to Hungary, to the Republic of Serbia, to Bosnia and Herzegovina, to Montenegro and to the Republic of Macedonia, has opened an exhibition ‘Struggle for Freedom. History of Losses’ on 14 June, 2016, in the National museum of Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina).
We may be small, yet history proves, we are not fragile or weak. Such events as the Soviet occupation in Lithuania, or the Balkan Wars in the South of Europe, have not broken our spirit. Bloody crimes were conducted on our lands. By talking about it, exchanging our histories and showing solidarity with each other, we can raise awareness about these events,” said the Ambassador in her speech.
The exhibition, arranged by the Office of the Chief Archivist of Lithuania, is dedicated to commemorate the beginning of the painful mass deportations, that begun on 14 June, 1941. It presents the tragic moments of our nation’s history, when 75 years ago mass deportations of Lithuanian citizens to the most distant corners of the Soviet Union have begun. Historical moments of liberation and re-establishment of the Independence of Lithuania are also reflected in the exhibition.
The Chief Archivist of Lithuania prof. Dr. Ramojus Kraujelis was awarded the Bosnian and Herzegovinian recognition “Bosnian Tombstone” for his contribution in developing international relations and fostering cooperation between the archives. Both institutions of archivists signed an agreement for further cooperation.
Last autumn, while commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre, Lithuanian society was introduced to the bloody events that took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Srebrenica massacre is recognized as the largest mass killings in Europe that took place after the World War II.
Photograph (from left): Secretary of the Yalova municipality of Turkey Hasanu Soyguzel, Chief Archivist of Lithuania Ramojus Kraujelis, EU High representative to Bosnia and Herzegovina Valentin Inzko, Ambassador of Lithuania Rasa Kairienė, Director of Archive of Bosnia and Herzegovina Adamir Jerkovič
