Vilnius celebrates 35 years of the Baltic Way with a big anniversary concert

On August 23, 1989, around two million people held hands to form a 690-kilometer-long human chain from Vilnius via Riga to Tallinn.

The largest unbroken human chain in history, the Baltic Way (or Baltic Chain) was a sign of solidarity between Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in protest against the Soviet occupation – it coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, which divided Eastern Europe into a German and a Soviet sphere of influence.

Marking the 35th anniversary of this monumental demonstration of unity, the 650 KM of Freedom concert will be packed with performances by Lithuanian state folk ensemble Lietuva, National Symphony Orchestra and new wave electronic band Happyendless, Latvian State Choir and folk pop band Tautumeitas, and acclaimed Estonian singer and violinist Maarja Nuut, among others.

The musical arrangements are the work of the Lithuanian trombonist, composer and conductor Jievaras Jasinskis, who himself took part in the Baltic Way as a child.

“It is difficult to understand how it was possible to mobilize two million people for a common goal – freedom. I can only think of myself in a free Lithuaniaand I am extremely grateful to the people who fought for the freedom we have today,” he says.

“The Baltic Way was a beautiful and powerful start to the history of independence of the three Baltic states and a fight against the events that took place exactly 35 years ago. The concert gives us the opportunity to reflect, but also to celebrate where we are today.”

The concert “650 KM of Freedom” will take place on Friday, August 23rd, at 19:00 EEST at Cathedral Square in Vilnius.