A Pointed Message toward the East

Earlier this year, I had a member of the Lithuanian Armed Forces explain the situation to me – a relatively ignorant American – about his country’s “hate/hate” relationship with the Soviets/Russians throughout history. While I was only in Vilnius for a short time (2 days), I made an attempt to visit the site of the 13 January 1991 massacre of 14 people by Soviet troops. The trip to the site was an utter failure, but a learning adventure nonetheless. The website I was looking at had incorrect coordinates, so I ended up walking around the city outside of the gates for a few hours.

For me, the language barrier was not broken on this trip, not even a little bit. Prior to my wandering, I had two little kids approach me and ask a question. In my preparation to venture out into the city, I wrote down a few phrases in Lithuanian:

• “I’m sorry, but I do not speak Lithuanian.” (Atsiprašau, bet aš nemoku lietuviškai)
• “I am lost. Can you help me find [my hotel]?” (Aš pasiklydau. Ar galite man padėti rasti viešbutį?)
• (One other phrase I do not recall.)

When these kids approached they asked me something in earnest, but I pulled out the card and pointed at the “I don’t speak” phrase. One nodded and pulled his friend along with him, away from the crazy foreigner. I was surprised by their approach and engagement; where I come from (Albuquerque, USA) you don’t get within ‘cutting’ distance of someone you don’t know, especially a stranger on the street.

They did not show immediate fear, even to the unknown.

The rest of my wanderings took me around parts of Old Town Vilnius. I saw the Presidential Palace and Vilnius University. I looked for astronomy-related sites, but what I read stated how Soviet oppression kept Lithuanian astronomy in the literal dark ages. What kept my amazement fueled during the visit was the age of the buildings and what they held, experienced, or “seen” in their lifetimes. The Lithuanian (Lietuva) people – their ideas, culture, and beliefs – have been around a long time.

Circling back to the banner above… With that virtual (and colorful!) middle finger pointed towards Russia, I wondered how long that sentiment will stay posted for all to see.

Slava Ukraine. (Phrase posted in the windows of many businesses and homes within Old Town Vilnius. Click to see the Google Translation.)