In the windows of the skyscraper of the capital municipality this morning at 8 o'clock. more than 600 candles were lit. On the eve of Freedom Defenders Day, in honor of the memory of those who died for the freedom of Lithuania on January 13, all municipal employees simultaneously lit a candle in the windows. The action lasted 14 minutes - for each person killed. The civic action "Memory is alive because it bears witness" took place at the same time throughout Lithuania. On the eve of the 27th anniversary of the events of January 13th, commemorations of January 13th began in various areas of Vilnius. There will be plenty of events on the weekend as well.
"While the candles were burning in the windows, the municipal employees and I remembered where they were and what they were doing on January 13. Some told how they gathered with like-minded people in the squares of their towns, how he waited overnight at the Sports Palace to pay his respects to the fallen. January 13 is a special day because it confirms that the initiative and struggle for freedom is always in the people and it comes from the people, freedom is not given or brought by a group of elected politicians. I thank all the employees for the united initiative and the respect shown to the dead", said Povilas Poderskis, Vilnius city municipalities Director of Administration.
Mayor of Vilnius Remigius Šimašius will honor the victims of January 13, together with the citizens of Vilnius, by laying flowers at the Television Tower at 17:30 p.m.
Commemorative bonfires will be lit near the Lithuanian National Radio and Television building, the TV tower and Independence Square today.
After dark, the "Three Crosses" monument will light up in the colors of the national flag, thus honoring those who died for the freedom of Lithuania.
January 13 (Saturday) at 9 a.m. flowers will be laid at the monument dedicated to March 11 "Žinia" in Independence Square. From 13:30 p.m. A ceremony honoring the dead will be held at the Antakalnis cemetery, where the mayor of Vilnius will also participate.
January 14 (Sunday) 12 noon XXVII traditional international respect run "Life and Death Road" is being organized. This action honors the victims of the events of January 13, 1991 - people who died on the night of January 13, XNUMX and died from injuries sustained when Soviet military units stormed the Vilnius TV Tower and the Radio and Television Committee building. The mayor will also award the participants of the run R. Šimašius.
