Other events in Baltic States

Lithuania will commemorate the 68th anniversary of the first mass exile of innocent civilians to Siberia and the far northern territories of the Soviet Union on 14 June 1941.

On hot day of 14 June of 1941, over 30,000 people were deported by cattle wagon trains from Lithuania, informs ELTA/LETA.

During the years of the Soviet occupation, Lithuania lost around 800,000 residents. About 300,000 people faced the atrocities of the communist regime: prisons, concentration lagers, exile in Siberia and the far north. Every third detainee died from tortures, starvation or harsh climate. Over 440,000 residents left Lithuania running away from the communist terror.

According to the data obtained by the Genocide and Resistance Research Department, every third Lithuania's resident was a victim of the soviet genocide and terror in 1940-1958.

On Sunday noon, the State Flag will be raised at the Independence Square. Later on, the victims of occupation, genocide and soviet repressive measures will be honored at the monuments of political prisoners and expatriates in Auku St. In the afternoon, the Holy Mass will be celebrated in the chapel of Tremtiniai (expatriates) of Vilnius Cathedral.