Feb 16 • 03:20 UTC 🇱🇹 Lithuania 15min

Lithuania celebrates the Day of Restoration of the State

On February 16, Lithuania commemorates its Day of Restoration of the State with various traditional events and honors the signatories of the 1918 Declaration of Independence.

On Monday morning, Lithuania will honor the signatories of the 1918 Declaration of Independence buried at the Rasos Cemetery in Vilnius. This tribute is a part of the national celebrations for the Day of Restoration of the State, which takes place each year on February 16. In addition to this solemn ceremony, a traditional youth march titled "On the Path of the Lithuanian State" will proceed from the Gediminas Monument, involving thousands of schoolchildren and students from across Lithuania, highlighting the active participation of the younger generation in national pride and heritage.

The celebrations will also include a hike and a running event to commemorate Lithuanian freedom. An interactive street theater project, "The Signatories Go to Get Their Photos Taken," will entertain attendees in Cathedral Square before noon. Furthermore, a formal state awards ceremony is expected to take place at the Presidential Palace, followed by the raising of the flags of the three Baltic States in Simonas Daukantas Square, where President Gitanas Nausėda will deliver a speech, emphasizing the significance of the day for national unity and remembrance.

As part of the traditional observances, a special mass will be held at Vilnius Cathedral, and commemorations will occur at the Signatories' House. In the afternoon, there will be a festive concert celebrating February 16 at the M. K. Čiurlionis School of Arts, culminating in an evening celebration on Gediminas Avenue in Vilnius, showcasing the rich cultural tapestry and the patriotic spirit of the Lithuanian people on this meaningful day.

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