Other events in Baltic States

At a ceremony on the left bank of the Daugava in Riga (Mukusalas Street) today, a cornerstone was set in place for a monument to the "joint human chain for freedom"- the "Baltic Way", reports LETA.

Today marks the 25th anniversary since the people of the three states joined hands in a unique show of solidarity. The idea for the monument came from one of the key figures in the re-awakening and freedom movements – Romualds Razuks, former leader of the Latvian Popular Front.

Janis Vucans, the head of the Latvian delegation of the Baltic Assembly, informed the crowd at the ceremony that such a monument – honoring the "Baltic Way", is already a landmark in downtown Vilnius, and the Estonians will soon have their version; right now it is a "work in progress."

The monument in Latvia could be unveiled in time for the 100th Independence Day in 2018.

A gathering took place at the Saeima building in Riga to symbolically plant a "Baltic States unity" tree (ash). The ceremony was led by Saeima Speaker Solvita Aboltina, who informed that similar trees would be planted at the parliament buildings in Vilnius and Tallinn.

Aboltina addressed the gathering, reminding of the non-violent protest 25 years ago and the key values that the people of the Baltics defended – peace, security and stability. She underlined that in the context of the crisis in Ukraine, these values are topical once again.

Aboltina expressed her gratitude to all who joined hands back then, "so that the Baltic States could be heard worldwide."

Also present at the event today was Janis Vucans, who heads the Baltic Assembly's Latvian delegation. He reminded that the "Baltic Way" brought to the forefront the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact's top secret protocols on the fate of the Baltic States (signed August 23, 1939). Vucans added that the Baltic Way served as a prime example of a non-violent approach and marked "humanity's triumph over totalitarianism."