Inspiring exhibition dedicated to Baltic Way opened in Foreign Ministry [31 Jul 2009]

The Foreign Ministry Secretary of State, Andris Teikmanis, at the opening of the touring exhibition The Baltic Way that moved the world in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 31 July, highlighted the significance of the Baltic Way campaign of 23 August 1989. Mr Teikmanis noted that the Baltic Way linked two million people who joined hands to form a human chain through Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, thus demonstrating their invincible determination to reestablish independence. "There have been attempts to imitate a human chain of this kind, but, nevertheless, the Baltic Way is unique and as such will remain in our memories for ever," Mr Teikmanis stressed. The Secretary of State also expressed gratification over the inclusion of the documentary heritage reflecting the Baltic Way campaign in the UNESCO programme The Memory of the World Register that took place on 30 July.

Secretary General of the UNESCO National Commission of Latvia, Dagnija Baltiņa accentuated that "the inscription of the documentary heritage in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register is a significant occurrence as this nomination characterises us as a unified Baltic region, provides international recognition, which is important for Latvia's collective memory, as well as raises the profile of the Baltic states on the global scale".

Jānis Škapars - Chairman of the Popular Front of Latvia (1989-1990) - noted that the Baltic states' road to independence and restoration of freedom is a unique phenomenon in the world history: "The Baltic Way was a course of non-violent strategy, and in a unique and distinctive manner we won our freedom which was possible only because all three Baltic states joined their efforts."

This unique historic event has been reflected in a display of 40 photographs and photo collages, and as the photographer and curator of the exhibition, Ilmārs Znotiņš admitted, when selecting photographs he "endevoured to recreate the emotional experience of the Baltic Way's participants who displayed great personal courage by standing in the human chain and being unaware of what would happen later".

All speakers encouraged to keep the spirit of unity alive and expressed hope that the exhibition would be a good beginning for other stories about "the Baltic Way that moved the world".

The touring exhibition was created owing to the Director of the Foreign Ministry Information and Public Relations department, Elita Gavele, First Secretary of the Press and Public Relations Division, Vita Timmermane-Moora, photographer Ilmārs Znotiņš as well as to those who contributed photographs from their personal archives.

Until 25 August, the exhibition The Baltic Way that moved the world will be displayed in the lobby of the Foreign Ministry building; later it will be moved to Paris and presented in the Senate of France, at the events organized the Embassies of the Baltic states, and in Le Pont Neuf art gallery. After that, it will be shown in London and Stockholm.

Those interested are requested to arrange their visit to the exhibition in advance, by calling 67015984 or 67015970 on work days from 9:00 to 16:30.

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