The Day of Baltic Unity stands as a testament to our unity and shared values, as well as the immense strength of the Baltic nations, emphasised Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima, on Saturday, 21 September, opening the Baltic Unity Day ceremony in Pakruojis, Lithuania, together with Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas.

The Speaker of the Saeima emphasised that this immense strength of unity must be showcased as an example, as, regrettably, history repeats itself: “Latvians and Lithuanians deeply understand the struggle for freedom of the Ukrainian people. We mourn every Ukrainian life lost and celebrate their victories on the battlefield. This is why we will continue to provide all necessary assistance to the Ukrainian heroes until the aggressor is defeated and driven away from Ukraine.”

Speaker Mieriņa highlighted that close cooperation and contact between our nations allow us to achieve much in international politics and other areas. “Collaborating with our neighbours to pursue shared goals and uphold our values is essential at every level,” she affirmed.

The Speaker of the Saeima also recalled that exactly one year ago, during the Baltic Unity Day celebrations, the idea emerged to replace Russian with a Baltic language in schools. “This academic year, a school in Riga has decided to teach Lithuanian,” Speaker Mieriņa added.

“That is why through wonderful events like today’s celebration of unity and, even more importantly, in our daily work, it is crucial for us to continuously seek new opportunities for collaboration, set fresh objectives, and tirelessly strengthen cross-border cooperation,” stressed the Speaker of the Saeima, expressing gratitude to our friends and neighbours for the daily support and solidarity we share with one another.

During their visit to Pakruojis, the Latvian and Lithuanian parliament speakers discussed joint cooperation initiatives and visited the city’s synagogue and manor house.

The ceremonial event featured performances by Latvian and Lithuanian diplomatic choirs, as well as amateur creative groups from Pakruojis, Bauska, and Aizkraukle.

In 2000, the Latvian Saeima and the Lithuanian Seimas designated the Baltic Unity Day—22 September—as an official day of remembrance. As a reminder of the close ties between the two nations, the Baltic Unity Day is celebrated every year in a town in Latvia or Lithuania.

It commemorates the Battle of Saule fought on 22 September 1236, when the joint Semigallian and Samogitian forces defeated the Livonian Brothers of the Sword.

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Saeima Press Service