Lithuanians celebrate State Restoration Day

Lithuania marks State Restoration Day on 16 February, one of the country’s most important national holidays. The date has a special historical significance, recalling the signing of the Act of Independence in 1918, which proclaimed the modern Lithuanian state. Lithuania’s Ambassador to Chișinău Tadas Valionis highlighted the deep relations between Lithuania and the Republic of Moldova dating back to the period of national liberation, and the fact that Moldovans were the first to recognize Lithuania’s independence in 1990.

“ The Lithuanian state that existed between the First and Second World Wars was extremely important to us, because an entire generation grew up in that period and knew what independence meant. We maintained a long-lasting resistance movement, which continued even in the 1970s and 1980s. Thus, our struggle lasted for decades. Finally, we declared independence in 1990 — a year before most others. Moldova was the first country to recognize our independence. On 31 March 1990, while still the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic and not yet independent, your Parliament recognized Lithuania’s independence. We have had very deep ties,” Lithuania’s Ambassador to Chișinău Tadas Valionis told an exclusive interview with MOLDPRES.

Lithuania joined the European Union on 1 May 2004, and a month earlier the country had become a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

“Lithuanians supported accession to the European Union in a referendum with over 90 percent of the votes. This level of support was unprecedented — we have not seen anything similar in any referendum or other vote since. Lithuanians today are stronger than ever, wealthier than ever, and freer than ever. I do not see any way back to the world in which we lived before the EU enlargement or before the collapse of the Soviet Union. Nobody wants to go back,” Valionis added. 

The ambassador stressed that the Republic of Moldova is following the same path and Lithuania is ready to provide all necessary support for advancing reforms. Valionis spoke about Lithuania’s experience in European integration, its cooperation with the Republic of Moldova and regional security in the context of the war in Ukraine. The full interview will be published on 16 February on Moldpres.md.

State Restoration Day marks the moment when the Council of Lithuania signed, on 16 February 1918, the document that laid the foundations of the independent Lithuanian state, after a long period of foreign domination. The Act opened the way for the consolidation of national institutions and the affirmation of Lithuanian identity in Europe.

In Vilnius, flowers will be laid at the graves of the signatories of the Act of Independence. Afterwards, an official ceremony for awarding state decorations will take place at the Presidential Palace.

The holiday is an official day off in Lithuania and represents an opportunity to reflect on national values, freedom and the country’s European path.