How much is freedom worth if you don't have to take a single step for it? On May 17 – the Day of Honoring Partisans, Unity of the Army and Society – the Ministry of National Defence, together with the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union, continues the tradition of organizing mass marches along the partisan trails. Feel what a conscious step for freedom means. Both individual marchers and various communities and organizations are invited to march. This year, the "Conscious Kilometers" marches will take place simultaneously in seven regions of Lithuania.
This initiative aims not only to honor the partisans, but also to help everyone personally feel what it means to take a conscious step for our country.
"The forest brothers did not hesitate, they left their homes to defend our freedom, they gave their lives for us. My family knows what it means to recognize a loved one who died in the forest, what it means to experience torture for their connections with the forest brothers. Join the Samaningai Kilometers Challenge, let's honor the memory of the forest brothers and stand with those who protect our freedom today and would not hesitate to defend it - soldiers and riflemen. Because together - we are invincible," says Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė.
The march, as a metaphor for honoring the partisans and civil resistance, was not chosen by chance, because it is a symbol of civil action. At that time, partisans marched every day - from one communication point to another, from their native homestead to the most distant point, from battle to battle. Therefore, while marching along the same paths they named, we are encouraged to think about how they felt, what they thought while defending the freedom of Lithuania.
"Let's go where the partisans walked, and let's remember what they did - sacrificed their lives so that we could walk on that Lithuanian land today. In such marches, we develop our awareness - because action, not just words, helps us understand what it means to be free and responsible for that freedom. The march is our silent promise: we cherish freedom just as much as they do, and we are ready to defend it," assures the commander of the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union, Lt. Col. Linas Idzelis.
A new civic tradition is being created
Mass marches dedicated to the Day of Honoring the Partisans, the Unity of the Army and Society are being organized for the second year in a row. Having started in five regions last year, this year the marches will take place simultaneously in seven municipalities: Radviliškis, Tauragė, Kėdainiai, Lazdijai-Alytus, Telšiai, Širvintos and Utena-Švenčionys districts. There will also be an opportunity to march independently - the routes, exact number and locations of such marches will be announced at the end of April.
"The paths of the partisans fighting for our freedom were secret – they did not resemble a walk along well-trodden forest paths. It was a conscious walk on the forest floor – on moss. Back then, they freely went into the forests so that we could walk through them today of our own free will. These hikes are an experience of living history," says Rugilė Grendaitė, project manager of the Strategic Communication and Public Relations Department of the Ministry of National Defence.
Not only individual hikers, but also communities are invited to join the marches, inviting friends, neighbors, and teams of companies and organizations to join. The organizers hope to create a civic tradition together to spend the third weekend of May meaningfully - by marching along the paths of the freedom struggle.
Ceremonial opening ceremonies for the marches will also be held in each municipality. events, discussions, exhibitions, will be taught how to pack a departure bag, invited to listen to partisan songs and taste šaulički delicacies. The events will feature concerts by the band "Ugniavijas", men's folklore group ANDULĒ, the ensemble "Žaibas" of the 2nd Vytautas Magnus Riflemen's Regiment, pianist Darius Mažintas and soloist Agnė Sabulytė concert.
Although the main focus of the project is hiking along partisan trails, they also aim to introduce the public to partisan activities, convey the experience of what partisans lived and felt like. So, in addition to hiking, you will also listen to interesting partisan stories and be invited to try your hand at military competitions.
Lithuanian army also invites you to celebrate the Day of Honoring the Partisans, Unity of the Army and Society. On May 17, in Marijampolė, in the heart of the Suwalki Corridor, the Lithuanian army slogan "We are You". During such community celebrations, residents can learn more about the Lithuanian Army and NATO activities of the Allies in Lithuania and to get to know more closely an important part of society that exists on behalf of the state and its inhabitants.
Strengthens civic will as well
Such initiatives not only help us remember history, but also increase each of our determination to defend our country.
Today, in peacetime, we can prepare for this in various ways – by participating in training, civic marches, volunteering, or joining community initiatives. All of this strengthens trust, bonds between people, and the realization that national defense is the responsibility of all of us.
The more citizens feel prepared and know their role, the harder it is to distract or mislead us. A network of civic people is a force that can become a real help to the country's military and institutions in the face of war or crisis, so every march, every decision to engage in joint activities is important.
Registration and detailed information about the hikes taking place in all regions can be found on the initiative's website http://samaningikm.lt/. The number of places for some hikes is limited, so the organizers encourage you to hurry up and register and walk smart kilometers together.
