Join us for a reenactment of unique historic event to celebrate freedom of the Baltic nations – Baltic Way 35

The Baltic Way was a peaceful and unique demonstration for the freedom of the Baltic nations. On August 23, 1989, about two million people from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania stood hand in hand between Tallinn, Rīga and Vilnius in one of the most unique expressions of non-violent protest the world has ever seen. 

The 670 km (approximately 370 miles) long live human chain was the peak in a series of manifestations during the Awakening or Independence Movement of the Baltic states (1988-1991) who, after being incorporated in the Soviet Union in 1940 due to the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of 1939, the secret agreement between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany, sought to regain their sovereignty. The Pact divided Europe and forcibly kept the Baltic countries behind the Iron Curtain. The Baltic countries, first having established their modern statehood in 1918, regained their independence in 1990-91, and the Baltic Way was a major milestone on their road to regained freedom. Today, the Baltic Way reminds us, the Baltic States, that freedom cannot be taken for granted, it has to be fought for every day.