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"The experience of people who were deported is an example to every generation that we can repel all hardships by loving our Homeland. Deportations have touched every family but have not crushed Lithuania. Marking the 75th anniversary of occupation, our country is again facing threats. However, Lithuania will not be trampled because it is defended by loving people," said the president.

According to the head of state, the strength of people who survived exile and forced labour camps has given Lithuania hope and strength to walk the long and complicated path towards freedom. The living memory fostered by exiles and political prisoners is an obligation for every Lithuanian person to treasure and defend their country.

Sixty people who survived exile and Soviet forced labour camps live in the social care home Tremtiniu Namai. Three of them are 100-years-old or over. This is the only social care home in Lithuania for former exiles.

During mass deportations in June 1941, more than 17,000 people were deported from Lithuania to Siberia. Throughout the whole Soviet occupation, more than 280,000 Lithuanian people were deported and imprisoned in forced labour camps by the Soviet Union.