Lithuanian President Links 1919 Independence Battles to Modern Defense: what residents need to know

Main details for residents

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda visited the historic town of Kėdainiai on Sunday to lead the annual Partisans’ Tribute, Army and Society Unity Day. The event, which revives traditions from the interwar period, is designed to strengthen the bond between the nation’s professional military forces and the civilian population amidst heightened regional security concerns.

Historical Continuity in National Defense
During his address, President Nausėda emphasized the “uninterrupted link” between Lithuania’s historical freedom fighters and the soldiers currently defending the state. He described the commemorative day as a bridge connecting the heroes of the past—specifically the anti-Soviet partisans known as the ‘Forest Brothers’—with modern troops.

By framing current defense efforts as a continuation of a century-long struggle, the President highlighted that the “fighting spirit” remains the country’s most vital asset. He noted that this resolve was present both in the post-war resistance and the early days of the republic, regardless of the complexity of the geopolitical circumstances.

The Strategic Significance of Kėdainiai
The choice of Kėdainiai as the host for this year’s ceremony holds significant historical weight for the Baltic region. In 1919, Lithuanian volunteers, supported by a German Saxon regiment, successfully halted the Bolshevik advance toward Kaunas in this area. Nausėda cited this victory as proof that a determined force can overcome superior numbers through morale and local support.

The Human Pillar of NATO Security
While acknowledging Lithuania’s rapid modernization and its expanding defensive capabilities within the NATO framework, the President argued that hardware alone is insufficient. He stated that the individual citizen’s resolve to defend their country is the foundation upon which any powerful military force must be built.

“Today we all—soldiers, riflemen, and civilians—stand together as one wall for the defense of Lithuania,” Nausėda told the crowd. Following the official ceremony, the President toured an exhibition of military hardware, which featured weaponry and equipment from both the Lithuanian Armed Forces and Allied units currently stationed in the country as part of NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence.

Source: BNS