Dear First lady, honourable guests,
It is my immense pleasure to address you, dear Lithuanian friends, on this festive occasion! A day when you celebrate the State Day of Lithuania (Coronation Day of King Mindaugas of Lithuania) and also the 100-year anniversary of the long tradition of Song Festivals.
We are united by the joy from music. Both Estonia and Lithuania cherish the tradition of song festivals, which are deeply embedded in our cultural identities. Choral music is part of our shared heritage, fostering our historical bonds.
The song festivals have played a crucial role in our national awakenings and independence movements. These festivals help us to express our national identity and unity, especially during times of political oppression and turbulence. For us the freedom to sing our songs together is priceless!
During the Soviet occupation, song festivals were symbols of resistance and carriers of our cultural continuity against russification. Estonians call the process that brought us to the restoration of our independence – a Singing Revolution. 35 years ago, we were standing together with dear Lithuanians literally hand in hand in the Baltic Chain, the chain of freedom (Balti Kett).
Today our Ukrainian friends are fighting the same evil as we did back then. Fighting to preserve their independence and their rich culture. Freedom to wear vyshyvanka and to speak and read in their mother tongue – Ukrainian language.
Fighting for their absolute undeniable right to keep their territorial integrity and sovereignty. Fighting for our common values based on United Nations Charter. We share those values and stand together with Ukrainians in their fight against the aggressor. We are standing at the right side of history.
All nations should always be able to sing in their own language, songs about their homeland, wearing their national costumes. We will not be neutral in issues dear to us. We shall also continue to help other nations on their way towards freedom. We hope that one day, Byelorussians may also sing their national songs, free from repressions.
In Estonia we have a saying that if you have a concern then share it with you friend and the concern will become half as big. But more importantly, also share your joy because then the joy will double. Estonia is your friend you can count on, and with whom you can always share your concerns and your joy.
Together we are part of the strongest military alliance in a world. Together we work in making NATO even stronger. We collaborate in many defence initiatives within the alliance. We collaborate closely on defence, collective training missions and resources sharing to enhance the security of our region.
We cooperate on defence technology and procurement projects, we share the intelligence on security threats, to improve our national security and to counter together the common threats. We stand together in our fight against the hybrid attacks, including cyber threats and weaponized migration flows.
As EU member states, Estonia and Lithuania participate in the EU’s common security and defence policy initiatives. Most importantly, we stand for helping Ukraine and bringing all the friendly nations sharing our values to the EU family. Together, we shall use this pivotal moment and shape the Europe’s future, by enlarging our value space and creating a stronger and more resilient Union.
Our bilateral cooperation is rich in all spheres. But most importantly, today I am proud of our cultural cooperation. It is particularly pleasing that recently Estonian directors have successfully created new plays at Lithuanian theatres. Also, this year is the year of Estonian literature in Lithuania. As you know, every poem dreams of becoming a song at the Song festival.
In the song by Česlovas Sasnauskas, you sing: “Where the Šešupė flows, where the Nemunas runs, there is our homeland, beautiful Lithuania.” /“Kur bėga Šešupė, kur Nemunas teka, Ten mūsų tėvynė, graži Lietuva.” (Kur beega Šešúpe, kur Neemunas tääka, tän muusu teviine, graží Lietuvá.)
This is how it will remain forever and ever, with all your friends and allies, this is what we shall protect and embrace together.
Thank you Gitanas, for a great opportunity to be here.
I wish you all an endless peace and prosperity and a successful new century for Song Festivals!
