On 23 August 1989, around two million people joined hands to form a human chain of 690 km from Vilnius, through Riga and all the way to Tallinn.
The largest unbroken human chain in history, the Baltic Way (or Baltic Chain) was a show of solidarity between Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in protest against Soviet occupation – timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, which divided eastern Europe into German and Soviet spheres of influence.
Marking the 35th anniversary of this monumental demonstration of unity, the 650 KM of Freedom concert will be packed with performances, with acts including Lithuania’s state folk ensemble ‘Lietuva’, National Symphony Orchestra, and new wave electronic band Happyendless; Latvia’s state choir and folk-pop band Tautumeitas; and acclaimed Estonian singer and violinist Maarja Nuut.
In charge of the musical arrangements is Lithuanian trombonist, composer and conductor Jievaras Jasinskis, who took part in the Baltic Way as a babe in arms.
“It is difficult to understand how it was possible to rally two million people for one common goal – freedom. I can only remember myself in a free Lithuania, and I feel extremely grateful to the people who fought to give us the freedom we have today,” he says.
“The Baltic way was a beautiful and powerful way to start the independence story of the three Baltic states and fight what was happening at that time exactly 35 years ago. The concert gives us a chance to reflect but also to celebrate where we are today.”
The 650 KM of Freedom concert will take place on Cathedral Square in Vilnius on Friday 23 August at 7pm EEST.
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