Examining Lithuanian Patriotism & Identity: The Past, Present, and Future

Today’s video is about the notion of patriotism within a Lithuanian context.
Thanks to Tom for use of his video footage. Check out more of his work at: / tomcaptures
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @lithuaniaexplained
Follow the channel through Instagram to find out what's new and what future videos are planned! / lithuaniaexplained

[@gedog77]

I’m not Lithuanian. I’m British. But the story of Lithuania is an inspiration to me. The little guy that just won’t quit. The Russians believe they can occupy a nation into subservience; hundreds of years of the tsars and then the Soviets, Lithuania outlasted them all. Sometimes strength and heroism is just not giving up.

[@grazinalevinskaite3580]

🇱🇹❤️😘

[@TheMindoze]

If we support Ukraine more we will outlive another abomination called russian federation :D

[@goresk8869]

I'm British too and love Lithuania

[@andriusk1789]

thanks man :)

[@JimM-zs8ul]

Love your characterization of Lithuania as " The little guy that just won't quit." Quite true, I believe, and history seems to bear that out.

[@bloodcicle3986]

As a Lithuanian American I was raised with the stories and traditions of Lithuania. I love this country as if I had had been born and raised there. My family fled in the mid-1940’s to Germany. Coming to America in the 1950’s the Russians and Poles here treated them like garbage. Even here we fight for our identity and customs. ♥️

[@melanomadrumpf9736]

Ethnic Poles never lived in Lithuania in any significant number and so weren't around to oppress you. The nobles spoke Polish but were Lithuanian by ancestry and had a distinct identity, completely unlike that venomous proto-nazi linguistic Lithuanians like Smetona. Your family on the other hand... "fled to Germany" in mid 40s, then jumped ship for America. A typical story. Your family were Nazi collaborators, who infiltrated displaced persons camp in Germany that's why they" fled. But they never told you those stories, same as with Noreika's granddaughter. To the extent you have the gall to complain about imaginary oppression in America, where the actual "threat" to your identity comes from acculturation to the American mainstream. I have heard "those stories" from my own family who were Polish - Lithuanians in Wilno/Vilnius and surrounding area.

[@shemica16]

You said that the core of Lithuanian identity is the language, and I completely agree. So much so, that if a foreigner starts speaking in Lithuanian, we quite often just stop treating them as foreigners. It's like a short circuit in our brains, someone who is fluent in Lithuanian even if it's with an accent can't possibly be an outsider.

[@JimM-zs8ul]

Thanks for the comment. Plan to visit Lithuania in the summer or 2023 and am trying to learn a bit of the wonderful language. Won't be proficient, but glad to know my efforts will be appreciated by the locals. Aciu and Viso Gero!

[@guodaripinskaite6314]

Fluency is hardly a requirement. Just “labas”, “draugas”, “ačiū” or “gerai” is enough

[@guodaripinskaite6314]

@@JimM-zs8uldid you go? How was your trip?

[@JimM-zs8ul]

Had planned on going August 2023, but life got a bit in the way. I'm back to 100% now and finalizing the plans for mid to late August 2024. Looking forward to the trip! I'll let you know how it goes, thanks for asking!

[@kotryna7899]

Well as a small nation at complicated geopolitical location we have no choice but to be patriotic and defensive. I think it's in our blood. And the historical memory of a great past makes us be more brave to stand up, to speak up and to shout laud in nowadays circumstance.

[@seanshepard2000]

As an American married to a Lithuanian (15 years now!), and a FREQUENT visitor to Lithuania, I like what you said toward the end about your relationship with Canada - I have a similar feeling to the USA - it's a nice place, for the most part, but I can't wait for the day when we can move to LT!! I feel more at home there than I ever have in my home country! (usa) - next time we're in LT, if you're anywhere near Kaisiadorys, lunch is on us! :)

[@satrijosraganius7544]

Thank you. I do agree we have a bit of xenophobia, but at least for me believe it is a magical country. The thing is you have to learn Lithuanian history to understand us. The glory and fall, occupation and only a bit over 30 years of freedom again. People over 40 are still born in Soviet Union, so the youth are trying very hard to become as liberal, tolerant and free as we can be. We know what our grandparents and parents had to go through. Not even talking about the partizans and all underground freedom movements we had through the history. And we do have a beautiful culture. Our poets and writers are great, we have national clothes, dances, songs and a long history of paganism. We have all four times of the year, fertile ground, lovely people but they have been hurt by the Soviet regime. So some of them are just angry, sad people, still some Russian interest and corruption that we are fighting and trying to be European and Lithuanian. So to understand what we feel as lithuanian I do always like to listen to our freedom songs, go to our beautiful forests and lakes or sing the anthem together with other lithaunians. All in all, hope you can learn more about our beautiful culture and hope to have a talk one day 🇱🇹👊 Slava Ukraina 🇺🇦

[@martynaagneta6720]

Being small (territorial wise) doesn't mean morally small and hence this gives that "overly patriotic" sense to foreigners. We've went through multiple life lessons, through survival-type of metamorphosis throughout centuries. That's the reason we are so strong-wiled, we experienced occupation over occupation, fakely brought regimen, but we remained proud of who we are. Politics, modern life challenges should not be mistaken for our deep rooted cultural, nationalistic (in a good way) values. I pray this will never change.

[@ASilverMess]

As a German with Lithuanian roots I gotta just say that I often am more proud of being lithuanian than I am being German. This often comes off weird as I spent almost my entire life in Germany but as people often know Germans are known for not being patriotic because of the countries history. In general Germany to me is jus something everyone knows and would want to go to so I often don't feel too special while having lithuanian ancestry in my eyes is something special and the country too because so many less people that I know know about it and every time they don't I feel very proud and start telling them about how wonderful it is to me. I was also really proud when I saw the short summary of Lithuanias history pop up and I still knew all of it because I got to know it by myself but it also reminds me that even lithuanias history amazes me. That one little country that didn't give up for so long until it finally got to have its independence. It all just amazes me so I always enjoy to proudly say that I like lithuania a lot

[@scharr4431]

Lithuanian with German roots here hehe! As much as I love Lithuania, Germany has a special place in my heart. Both countries mean so much to me but every time someone mentions something about Germany I get excited like a little child ♥ Since growing up as a Lithuanian among other Lithuanians wasn't anything special for me either, having German ancestry is something I can be proud of personally ♥ And funny thing is that if someone says something bad about either of the countries I get defensive for both of them hahah, not in my lobby 😂

[@ASilverMess]

@@scharr4431 Oooh that's awesome! Really cool that you have it in reversed XD I do like Germany a lot of course too, though here (at least where I went to school) we got taught that being too proud can result in bad backlashes and it sadly also often happens that some people come at you with bad comment when you try and defend Germany but from someone who doesn't live there it might be a total different perspective. :D I am glad you are also proud of being a German. Gotta add that I was really happy when I read your comment there XD

[@paulius2019]

I'm Lithuanian and I would consider my self really patriotic. I love my country and I really appreciate foreigners who try to learn our language or even just visiting our country.

[@historiacontaco]

Great video! Not Lithuanian, and I have nothing to do with Lithuania but I think it’s great to learn about country and a people who aren’t talked about much ❤😊

[@domux6373]

I would really like to see a video about your culture shocks coming to Lithuania 😁

[@ORIA_1125]

Despite me living outside of Lithuania, there is not a single day that I don't think about my country. Even after years of living in another country makes me feel like outsider , and miss my home country more and more.

[@kodilodinoza]

Would you consider to move back to Lithuania?

[@garybills710]

You should think of a return. Such a beautiful place

[@xarmi6308]

Prisimink, kad Lietuva visad lauks tavęs sugrįžtant! ❤🇱🇹

[@Tar1ff]

I was out for 8 years- not gonna lie, since it was nearly 20 years ago, I was mesmerized by cashflow, as I got twice as much in Ireland in the first week than I was earning in Lithuania a month in 2004, first time I came back for a holiday- I was referring to stuff with a comparison- "for us in Ireland.." and only years after that I learned that my friends got really offended over it. I mean- there is a period of pink glasses, but as you've mentioned- once it passes you start to miss Lithuania every day, few times a day, you get dreams of you being home etc. And apart from obvious reasons- being close to your family, your friends, you start feeling like an outsider away from Lithuania pretty much constantly, I was missing silly things like pickled herring, saltibarsciai etc. Worth mentioning- each time I'd come back for 2-4 weeks, I would notice something I haven't been paying attention to when I was living in Lithuania, something beautiful, amazing, unique and it would haunt me when I was going back out. Its been like 10 years since I'm back to Lithuania- haven't felt any regret. Not for a second. TL;DR- if you feel homesick- come back for a longer duration and see for yourself where it will go

[@eglunasklimavicius9771]

I’m going back this June, can’t wait!

[@manometras]

There's the problem that 32 years of renewed independence couldn't compensate or undo the impact and the damage of the 50 years in the USSR, when the world didn't know Lithuania and Lithuanians could not interact with the whole world. If you sat in that stupid jail for 50 years, you'll come out to a different world that will see you as a stranger and you'll feel strange yourself.

[@Fankas2000]

Or the 100+ years of Russian Imperialism or the 150+ years of Catholic aggression. It's no exaggeration to say that foreigners have done nothing good for the Lithuanian people.

[@satrijosraganius7544]

@@Fankas2000 I agree that we have got a lot aggression from foreign countries, but it's not good to say they did nothing good for us. Now lots of lithuanians and foreigners are best friends

[@Fankas2000]

@@satrijosraganius7544 I have foreign friends too, but when viewing at the "big picture", Lithuania has never had any real help from outside. It has always been just aggression or, best case scenario, duplicitous friendship with Poland. When the Baltic states were occupied by the Soviets there wasn't even a peep from the international community. When Lithuania had the bloodies guerilla war in Europe with the USSR, we got 0 help from outside. When Lithuania was the first USSR state to declare independence, even the US adopted a "wait and see" approach towards Lithuania, it took an Isolated country like Island to make the first step. Even now, after almost two decades in NATO, we don't have a real plan how to defend the Baltics. If Russia were to attack, the Baltic States would be left to fend for themselves for up to a year until any help would arrive.

[@manometras]

@@Fankas2000 , it is an exeggeration. Some foreigners have done a lot of good things both to the country and to the local people.

[@violetalpenfields]

@@Fankas2000 What is extremely painful is the damned children of displaced persons. We were all raised to love Lithuania, but after independence, the vast majority did not leave their comfort zones to come and rebuild our country, physically and psychologically. I am unable to forgive this. Meanwhile we suffer every day witnessing the pain of Ukraine, because not long ago, it was our pain from that horrendous "neighbor". Too many Lithuanians deserted their own country. I weep for that nearly every day.

[@DidaMinecraft]

Neglected to mention Lithuania was the biggest country in Europe prior to entering Polish Lithuanian union and then becomeing Polish Lithuanian CommonWealth. Which was ruled for 200 years by a Lithuanian king (elected by the nobles, Virginia Plan by James Madison was heavely drawn from their laws)and Poland refers to this period as their Golden age. Generally Lithuanians kept to themselves and allowed self governance. In the union only Lithuanians could own land inside of Lithuania. Which discouraged the rest of the citizens from learning the language and spreading the culture. At one point Lithuanians displeased with the union wished to join with Sweden instead, this lead to a rebelion and forced Lithuania to concede it's southern holdings (modern day Ukraine) to Poland. This allowed Poland to further colonize the area and spread their culture/language. Fast forward to the three partitions of the common wealth, Lithuanian lands fall under the Russian Empire. The intelectuals and anyone opposing the new government either gets relocated (to divide and conquer the culture) or sent to Siberia (aka sentenced to death). Lithuanian banned to the point where even the use of the Latin alphabet is criminalized in the Russian Empire. Books and historical sites being burned to the ground. Poland being more luky in the partitions falls under the Austrian empire where they get to preserve their histtory, culture and language get to write the history we are taught today. Also another point being that area has the toughest guerilla warriors throughout the periods of occupation. Namely during the soviet era the resistance held strong until the late 80s.

[@Felixxxxxxxxx]

I traveled around Lithuania in 2020 and felt welcomed by Lithuanians. The guy I traveled with was from Iran and I am white people were a bit curious about him, I actually believe he was treated even better than me. I find Lithuanians to be like most people in the sense that, if you treat them well they will treat you well back.

[@giedres797]

I am patriotic and proud of my country 😊I’ve traveled all overseas but it’s always nice to come back!

[@LockNutz]

Being from the US I made a great friend from Lithuania over the past two years. We have a lot of difference but we both love learning about each others country. He is especially surprised that I want to learn more about his country. I can't wait to vacation in Lithuania with my family one day so we can meet face to face. Lithuania, in my eyes, is a very unknown country and I am glad that I am doing what I can to know!

[@birchheights6542]

This Canadian guy represents Lithuania just as good or even better than Lithuanians themselves.

[@eruno_]

exploring lithuanian identity and how it is defined in part by historical (and constructed) memories of grand duchy of Lithuania is definitely a topic worth exploring

[@Khamul_Of_The_East]

As a Lithuanian I'm extremely nationalistic, and I do heavily sympathise with your wives point on family where it feels like no matter what's bad or wrong, I have to protect Lithuania even if it's honestly right. Also generally the xenophobia is against "the oppressors" so most people including myself have a natural disdain for Poland and Russia, a very like "how dare you" attitude. I don't generally see or feel any xenophobia towards nations that don't fall into the "oppressor" category, whereas I feel an extreme brotherhood towards nations or peoples that have or are dealing with things that my people have dealt with, e.g the Ukrainians (even pre-war), the Muslim uyghers or the Irish. (Ps. love Latvia and Estonia ❤️)

[@julial1610]

Perhaps we should have let the Muscovy and Teutons tear you apart, so you wouldn't be around anymore to bitch about the union, which your dukes wanted and needed more than we did. The union that saved your nation from oblivion, and made it powerful. We made a Lithuanian and his sons after him our kings. Through union with Poland your magnates gained rights and privileges not enjoyed by gentry anywhere else in Europe and eventually became the major power brokers within the PL-LTCommonwealth,. WITHOUT losing their separate identity, But yeah, your elites adopted Polish voluntarily and out of convenience. Therefore you hate us and reject the best part of your history and us, who were your partners for many centuries in the state we created together,. In the name of some latter day petty nationalism. Perhaps Ukrainians hate you too, since you were the oppressor, you conquered Ruthenia and controlled it even after the union as it was part of the "Duchy and not the Crown.

[@valdasendriulaitis50]

Well said , I agree with you 100% !

[@aivarasbonckus3624]

My personal outlook on foreigners living in Lithuania as a born and raised Lithuanian: It makes me really happy to see people of other cultures adapting and living as Lithuanian citizens. I get a feeling of economic growth and it makes me feel like Lithuania is able to support people with different needs for prosperity. However, I'm usually not happy about most Russians and Belarussians relocating to Lithuania. Even though those folks are mostly good, there might still be security threats. In my opinion, those people can easily turn against the local government if anything happens.

[@souldoc123]

aukso zodziai-kiek vilka bepenek..

[@PhilipDaineka]

lol, learn to write the name of my country first. Of course, you associate russian and belarussian if you write belarussian, instead of Belarusian, which shows you know nothing about the Rus part in the name of my country (not Russia). Hence, the same feeling is raised from Belarusians towards guys like you, who know nothing about Belarus and purely associate it with Russia. Moreover, some Lithuanian historians try to erase the Belarusian role in GLD, by not mentioning a very clear fact that the GDL state was purely Slavic with its statutes written in the old-Belarusian language. and simultaneously we are thankful for what the modern LT government does to help our renaissance.

[@aivarasbonckus3624]

@@PhilipDaineka Hey. Yup, I admit that was my spelling mistake. But no need to be so defensive and rude. Every Lithuanian supports the Belarusian opposition movement as much as they support Ukraine. But as long as you guys allow your country to stay highjacked by Lukashenko, I cannot see it as anything else, but a Russian puppet state.

[@PhilipDaineka]

@@aivarasbonckus3624 I am defensive because you are aggressive towards my country. I have even more reasons to be defensive after you start to give orders to me what I should do. It is good you admit your mistake, I appreciate it. But your misspelling is just a symptom of chronic misunderstanding of the state and the history of my country by you, which is further confirmed by the phrase "we allow Lukashenka to stay".

[@aivarasbonckus3624]

@@PhilipDaineka I never told you to do anything. Simply expressed how I feel. And this response adds to my opinion, because you’re now acting the same as the Ruzzian government does - you interpret different opinion from yours as aggression towards you.

[@eglunasklimavicius9771]

Thank you! Your video inspire me to go back home. I’m traveling form “95 and want go home. 7 monts left!!!

[@lithuanianavgeek1612]

My grandmother is from Lithuania but I was born in America but I’m deeply patriotic for Lithuania I’d die for the country

[@ASAS-dn4ve]

Very good, but not earlier as you're 100 yo. Joy, work and creativity are needed here and not only here.

[@lithuanianavgeek1612]

@@ASAS-dn4ve what?

[@lithuanianavgeek1612]

@@ASAS-dn4ve I wanna move to Lithuania but that will be hard

[@LithuaniaExplained]

@@lithuanianavgeek1612 if you have a Lithuanian grandparent there are some options for you that are worth checking out :) www.migration.lt/lithuanian-citizenship-for-persons-having-lithuanian-ancestry-lithuanian-citizenship-for-descendants-of-lithuanians

[@lithuanianavgeek1612]

@@LithuaniaExplained ačiū:))

[@JimM-zs8ul]

I for one, admire greatly the patriotism that the Lithuanian people feel for their country. They have been through hell and back. My grandparents emigrated to the US in 1918 and although I admittedly do not know the current conditions there, the young people need to not be so influenced by the west and appreciate their history and the great sacrifice of those that came before them. I don't mean to preach, because the same thing is happening here, but hopefully you still have time to save and maintain amongst the young, an appreciation for your great history. While American by birth, my heart and soul remain with my roots in Lithuania, and always will. Keep your native language alive, as it defines the people, history and the culture. The Baltic Way in 1989 was one of the most inspirational movements in recent times. We should never forget them and what they accomplished. I'm trying to learn Lithuanian, but at this point, it seems simply impossible...Aciu and Viso Gero!

[@simasvilkas2312]

Ačiū už istoriją. Thanks for the story. You are absolutely right. We must raise a society that popularizes its culture and is proud to be Lithuanian. Descendants of brave and famous grand dukes. Lately, our politicians have been foolishly copying the west, more precisely genderism and LGBTQ and other harmful ideas.

[@JimM-zs8ul]

@@simasvilkas2312 Yes, life in the US is a bit discouraging, right now for those of us who care to get off of our cell phones and think about it. All of the politicians pandering to social interests that will gain them votes. It works both ways, both parties. Much division, politically and socially. The press here is no longer independent, they are unabashedly on one side or the other. When you lose an impartial press, you are just done. I am not real familiar with the political conditions in your country, but it seems to me that there remains among the people a good deal of patriotism and a COMMONALITY OF PURPOSE, which is the key to the survival of any country or any society. I am sad to hear that your politicians are copying this western foolishness, and thereby risk losing the PEOPLES COMMONALITY OF PURPOSE. I sincerely wish that there is still time for you to turn this around. Your rich history requires it. Just be your damn self! From some idiot here in Florida US, Bandau mokytis lietuvas kalbos (it's a pretty hard language to learn) but I hope to visit you soon. I want to touch the soil that my grandparents touched. It's important. It's a big deal.

[@wienczysawbykowski1631]

Hi, first of all - I discovered your channel some time ago and I find it interesting to hear perspectives like yours. I am Polish and my region is quite far from the border with Lithuania, so I had a chance to visit it only once. But I met some Lithuanians and there is a bit of Lithuanian heritage across the whole country (partially due to forced expulsions of Poles after WW2). Therefore I can’t say I am an expert, but I think I can add or notice some things here. First of all, many things you notice, like the fact about criticising the country, the division into groups, etc. are actually quite common, at least in Europe. The same about national identity and patriotism. Patriotism in principle is a good thing, as long as it does not end in nationalism. The most patriotic country of all I ever visited is the USA, and the level of it is in my opinion incomparable with that of Lithuania, or Europe in general. Secondly, the history you present is IMHO quite an altered nationalistic vision of the history of the Lithuanian nation. For example, Polish replaced Ruthenian, an older form of Belarussian, as the official language of the Grand Duchy. Lithuanian was never the official language of the state chancellery, so it was not a form of repression. The uprising in 1863 was an uprising aiming to restore Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, not just about creating a separate Lithuanian state. There was never an organised programme of polonisation of Lithuania, contrary to the russification. The relationship I would compare to England and Scotland, where English replaced the native Gaelic language as one of the forms of English culture dominating the Scottish one. Similarly to this, Poles do not understand the Lithuanian perspective of being a smaller partner under cultural pressure. My personal experience in Vilnius was mixed. The city is great, but the people weren’t particularly friendly. I was confused if this is simply the mentality (which may be the case, as I spent more time in Latvia and Estonia), or Lithuanians disliking Poles (this sentiment is to some extent present). The country is certainly at the crossroads of European cultures: Central European through Polish and Catholic influence, Northern European via Baltic heritage, both ethnic and geographic, and Eastern European via the Grand Duchy conquest of Belarus and Ukraine as well as Russian occupation in the 19th and 20th centuries. I see this as an advantage, but I understand it may be confusing. BTW is there a way to contact you via email?

[@trumpulis]

The reason why sometimes Lithuanians are so overprotective about their (our) culture is that we know how it is fragile. We constantly need to prove the right to exist. Whether someone tries to assimilate us or usurp the history of our country and nation. For example Belarusians constantly reminding and pointing claims over our capital Vilnius that it is their historical capital (by extent they are saying that true Lithuania is Belorussia), in the past we had disputes with the Poland over the Vilnius etc. That made us to be overprotective over what we have and what we try to preserve. And by being overprotective you sometime misinterpret some innocent phrase such as "Oh those easter Europeans are all the same".

[@TomCaptures]

Interesting topic! I've experienced my Lithuanian friends being a bit defensive when I go on vacation somewhere else and say it felt very welcoming there

[@UhOhUmm]

There is definitely xenophobia, but that's not a Lithuanian exclusive, a lot of countries have a form of xenophobia (or all of them). And I agree that the Lithuanian identity is mostly the language, in terms of culture Lithuania has been influenced by all of it's neighbors considering there were only a couple decades of freedom there.

[@LithuaniaExplained]

Yes good point. Thanks for sharing!

[@manometras]

Plenty of centuries of independence as a country, but other languages and people dominated in that country.

[@manometras]

People in many other European countries know better when and how to hide their xenophobia from foreigners. And Lithuanians may feel kinda disrespect from some foreigners even in their own country, that's why they are over-deffensive sometimes.

[@SunRiseEvery-day]

Lithuania has a solid culture and history, most can only drool over

[@lithman17]

Great Video! And it is interesting to read the comments of the video, even if some appear to have generated some heat.

[@valdasendriulaitis50]

As a young boy my father told me that God made only two type of humans ☝️those who were Lithuanian and Latvian, and those who were not ! Lithuanian patriotism is something deeply spiritual and mystical , with the word Lietuva conjuring up … something that is extremely holy. I just like my father did , can’t sing Our National anthem ..Lietuva Tėvyne mūsų without getting Teary-eyed singing that tautine giesme

[@UtamagUta]

Xenophobia mostly comes from our russian relicts: grannies born here and living here all their lives that gloryfy putin and are alergic to learning at least basic phrases in Lithuanian. Also there is a current influx of people from former USSR countries coming here instead of russia and imagining that everybody must speak russian thus it's a great country to move. Which tampers relations even with Ukrainian migrants, that do tend to talk in russian. That being said, any russian speaking migrant who gives an effort to integrate to our culture, is instantly treated differently! Case and point, Mylimiausia Lietuva YT channel.

[@biggusnippus695]

Awesome video as always!!

[@owlcacone]

I truly love the story and culture of my country. I would not consider myself to be patriotic, but I defend this country against bad mouthing from foreigners and get excited when literally anyone from the western world even mentions it. But the past does not change the, quite frankly, bleak present and future of the country. I've had the wish to leave for ages and that feeling has not waned at all. I'd say it's become an even greater wish as I enter my adult years. Great video, as always.

[@skinnyjohnsen]

Speaking a little Lithuanian before you arrive., will give you a lot of good will. The people are friendly, just like other Europeans. Some of the food is great, great beer and mead (made from honey). There is also a mead brandy. Well worth tasting!

[@edvepedve1676]

Great video, regards from Vilnius :)

[@aivarasstaskevicius5145]

Thank you for your videos about my country. Good luck.

[@marijagajdosikaite84]

I'm a Lithuanian and to me this video seems very accurate, great job

[@danrook5757]

U grew up during russian Times, u only know what moscow taught you. In the west, things are different

[@beisiknikneimas]

Great video!

[@Liqweed1337]

lietuva is special. if you grow up there and then move to another place, you will realize how relaxing this country is when you are a adult

[@bazinga-tt9pj]

It seems that both the book and the author too, forgets the fact that 1863 rebellion was predominantly pro-polish/pro-PLC, which is to be expected, being organized by the poles in Warsaw, that in regards to common offensive planning and territories located within former GDL borders, in essence were being fought for the restablishment of pre-russian GDL that after 17th century was polonized beyond belief and in the end only fought for nowaday belarusian historical figures/ rebels who had nothing to lose, and a few lithuanians (Adomas Mackevičius, Teodoras Narbutas, etc.) who's intelectual counterparts in turn had started a movement for separation of Lithuanian nation state from the cultural and political grasp of PLC. These two movements rarely but certainly clashed right up until ~1880 when all the possible pleadings to the Tsar to establish a tittled land holding like in Poland, that would grant certain priviliges in territories encoumpasing almost all parts of modern Lithuania and almost all of Belarus, went nowhere. After that point the modern Lithuanian curiculum of History ensues.

[@crosssizbabe]

amazing video. keep it up

[@matikramer9648]

Well done for the 10 min clip And thank you

[@manometras]

Lithuanians are a small nation and if they had a few of these foreigners, a few of that foreigners in their country, and all of the foreigners would learn the Lithuanian language, it would be fine. But Lithuanians are the people whose language had been at risk of getting extinct and replaced by other languages (it got extinct and replaced by others in certain areas that then were lost to Lithuania), so we don't want hundreds of thousands or even a million of foreigners with one certain native language to come to Lithuania and act like they and their language is more important here.

[@erika4843]

Ironically there are some Lithuanians, who emigrating to and settled in foreign countries, didn't learn to native languages abroad like most Russian speakers in Lithuania.

[@jurganooooos5579]

My mom told me something, that she was told by her mother... it sounds crude, but it goes like this " a good bird does not shit in his own nest" :DDD

[@danrook5757]

What does that mean

[@jurganooooos5579]

@@danrook5757 it basically means to not speak ill things about your country. To love it and be proud of it.

[@pauliuspetrikas4]

Thanks

[@vakaris875]

Lithuania needs to fix population declining problem

[@UhOhUmm]

World needs to fix population growing problem.

[@ORIA_1125]

do you have solution for it?

[@bazinga-tt9pj]

​@@ORIA_1125 sexy time 😳

[@manometras]

But not by letting hundreds of thousands of Russian-speakers from all the ex-USSR countries to replace Lithuanians and live here like Lithuanians and their identity are not important at all. We see what happened to the small peoples who stayed in Russia, and we see what happens to Ukraine right now.

[@gabija2401]

everyone's leaving bc our government sucks

[@ASAS-dn4ve]

If you hear Lithuanian over patriotic, please, don't argue, just nod your head and say "yes, yes" with no joy. It is trauma speaking. Those who hasn't been occupied will not understand it and it is good. Regarding foreigners... Lithuanians love progress and diversity very much and also are afraid of it. Only one step at a time. If you look like Lithuanian, at work do something the same and know several main words, you'll be out of trouble at all. If you look somehow different (including you may be Lithuanian in 10 generations, but with a prominent tattoo, blue hair etc., not only black or in strange clothes) you'll be met with some distance until you prove you're useful with your work or you're somehow connected. When you're "from our village", your uniqueness will be supported and cherished. I remember a story, when big newspaper was writing about a boy nurse of African descent working in Kaunas. What? Why? The article wrote that Lithuanian pastor saved him from Rwanda, he grew up in a Lithuanian orphanage and was studying medicine in Kaunas. Ours! So great! City culture with completely different people contributing is not yet fully developed in Lithuania. In Vilnius and with millennials things are closer to city than anywhere else.

[@UtamagUta]

Past trauma - occupation. Current trauma - globalization. I, as a millennial, am very worried that Halloween will conquer Vėlinės in popularity within the next generation, for example. Teenagers use english words instead of lithuanian, even the basic (and short!) ones.

[@ASAS-dn4ve]

@@UtamagUta I think every generation has the same fears, in Platon times as well. Halloween is about the same as our Užgavėnės. Have you read about a Wheel of Creation by Žarskus and Patackas? I think one celebrates Vėlines Lithuanian way if they feel and celebrate Christmas Eve Lithuanian way, with a plate for visiting souls.

[@botronas6039]

LIETUVAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[@LithuaniaExplained]

AAAAAAAAAAAAA!

[@keblusasmuo933]

I`m not so patriotic,untill you call me Russian

[@wefeelthereforeweexist.]

💯💯

[@pikckazinkavicius1235]

Since Lithuania is a nation-state (as indicated in the Constitution), one cannot be a patriot without being a nationalist.

[@MrSovetsky]

It is similar to Latvia it et the core is the preservation of language. But in my opinion such an approach lachs aspiration.

[@manometras]

I am quite patriotic and it is true about me what your wife told about defending your family when you see that strangers make fun of it and profoundly disrespect it for having some problems.

[@niekasnemo6269]

I'm Lithuanian and I'm very patriotic as many born between 1990 and 2000 are. I think freedom movement who recreated Lithuania and it's education system wanted to make new generation especially patriotic. I remember learning a lot about Lithuania's history. I think it was 50-50 of Lithuanian and world (mostly Europe history). Lithuania's history was always presented as positive and progressive for that time (Grand Duke Gediminas apparently was very open and tolerate (I think from there our assumption of toleration comes)) and Lithuania is presented as a victim always (Crusaders wanted to eliminate our believes, but we persivered and beat them in battle, then we helped Polish and gave them a dinasty of kings (king Jogaila) but they screwed us over (first agreement was for Lithuania and Poland to be equal partners, but after some time Poland gained more and more power and Lithuania culture was brought up us peasant culture, then Lithuanian-Polish commonwealth was parted by 3 big European countries and most of Lithuania's territory was occupied by Russia and history books make as feel a bit salty to Polish, because we suffered more russification then other occupied countries (after third rebellion, I think, lithuanian language was banned and russian was inforced, so some men became book smugglers (this is the time written lithuanian language was born), then after WWI Poland took our capital and big chunk of territory (I was born on an old Lithuania-Poland border, so this part of country is very controversial especially near Vilnius many there think they are Polish and some want to unify with Poland again, and then comes Soviet occupation and when we are told that Lithuania suffered the biggest loss of intelegent people to emigration and forced relocation and Lithuania and it's resilients and wish to be free brought down Soviet union (I learned of other reasons only in my 20's)). So yeah, we learned to think Lithuania is a great country very underpressiated by other countries and we need to popularize our country. I think younger generation is trying to be as open as we can (maybe a little bit russofobic especially after this years events), but older generation is more West fobic and fearful that EU will be similar to Soviet Union and this is just another occupation so they can come us very xenophobic. Especially knowing we grew up in very white bubble and African people are rarity and kinda a wonder so if you have dark skin you will be looked at and you will struggle to get make up for darker tones.

[@josephwarra5043]

LDK! LDK! LDK!

[@truethera]

My father was one of the 3 people who initiated the writing of the 45 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltic_Appeal . Its always in our blood to fight for our country and our language. A small fact, we are (as far as I know) the only language that curse words are "all naturel", aka, calling by names of animals, or saying "that your ass would go sour". All our "cuss words" that is currently used by most are russisms and polish stuff. Our native language never had intention to swear.

[@HenriCore]

I would personally say the more east you go in europe the more patriotic it gets but obviously this is just a guess from my own experiences

[@PotatoCannon-fy2sm]

The Lithuanian language became the language of the land again during the German occupation in World War 2.

[@Catapillah]

Do you feel welcome in Vilnius?

[@LithuaniaExplained]

Hard to say. I don’t go out too much and when I do, I don’t interact with too many people 😆. I think the tourism board does a good job making people feel like they are wanted and welcome. I guess I can say that as a foreigner, I’ve never felt unwelcome in Vilnius.

[@IfSoGirl88]

​@@LithuaniaExplained You are more than welcome here!

[@Catapillah]

@@LithuaniaExplained Well, I guess that’s a good start :) I am slightly concerned with some of the comments on this video though :/

[@fy9440]

@@LithuaniaExplained then you are not been welcomed. There is only truth, not yes and no at same time.

[@NoellaInLife]

I see Lithuanian government allowing dual citizenship for spouses to Lithuanians...fingers crossed I knew the videos were too pro to be your own 🤣🤣. Thanks Tom captures!!!!

[@kerstas10]

Yea, nah. I dont see anything good about dual citizenship for a spouse.

[@Vhisper]

As a Lithuanian from Klaipėda, I can really say Lithuania have at least 3 different regions with more or less different people living there: Lithuania Propper, Žemaitija, and Lithuania Minor (my motherland). People there are generally Lithuanian, but with their own world perspective. The best example would be a Lithuanian main wiki page, where it is written that Lithuania is located in the "Baltic region of Europe" (while Latvia and Estonia are reffered to as Nothern European country on wikipedia). While it is unquestionable that Lithuania is a North European coutry, many uneducated and utterly partiotic Lithuanian cannot accept reality, where we are no longer an Eastern Europe, in fact our nation always have been of Nordic mentality, and I think it's the most important thing you need to know. Due to political reasons, our Nordic roots and mentality is being questioned, by Poles, for example, who are really dissatisfied with the fact we wanted to return to our roots and alligned with Scandinavia. Nevertheless, I'd, as always, suggest you to listen to different opinions, because from my experiense, the more patriotic Lithuanian is, the more likely he will be poorly aducated and shout bs like "Lithuania and Poland brothers forever". Use your own mind and listen to different opinions in this case. Summarising my statements, we know that generally, (adequate) Lithuanians are: of Nordic mentality, can be a little different deepnding on the region, and sadly, sometimes too conservative, but luckly those are people of age 25+, the youth is a regular, happy and creative Norther European teenagers, which I am really happy about.

[@awesomechannel7713]

Per my sources, Lithuanian identity is much more affected by the 20th century history. Lithuanians did not conquer the neighboring lands but joined them by diplomacy. They were minority in the Grand duchy, but still the country was shortly referred to as Lithuania which helped in building the national identity later despite the lands of Lithuania proper (including the capital -Vilnius) became predominantly Ruthenian. Following merging into confederation with Poland, Lithuanian people of power voluntarily polonized and lower class citizens and villagers got dominated by Ruthenians. Yet the title remained so people outside of Lithuania proper (Aukštayts, Samogitians, Semigallians) carried over the language, catholicism and distinction from Belarusians, that was enough to start the building the notion of a nation that declared it's independence following the collapse of the russian empire. From that time the Lithuanian identity had a strong foundation and was only hardened by the catastrophic events of soviet occupation and ww2.

[@gabija2401]

despite being very patriotic, we're still slowly losing ourselves to Western culture which is most obviously seen in our increasing usage of english words in Lithuanian

[@JimM-zs8ul]

@@lietuvaitelietuvos3650 I am from the US and could not agree more with your concerns. My grandparents emigrated from Lithuania in 1918 and although US by birth have always felt a strong connection to what I will always consider my homeland. Big tech has diluted our identity for profit, and everyone has their head in a cell phone to remain "connected" which is really just assimilation into their new world order. I have been trying to learn your language, which is exceptionally difficult, but I figure if you can learn mine, I can learn yours. Let's try to keep yours alive. Aciu and Viso Gero my friends!

[@patrom8164]

Nah, no multiculturalism. If someone emigrates to a country they assimilate and don't create their own little countries within the country they emigrated.. That's why there's no go zones all over western Europe.. Also love your channel 👍

[@healthyplutonium5442]

Yep, I agree

[@Catapillah]

That’s not how migration works in real life. When you move to a new country where you don’t speak the language yet, you’re going to start by establishing social connections with people that speak the same language as you. When you eventually learn the local language, you can assimilate more easily but you’re not going to just forget the other foreign connections that supported you in the beginning. You don’t erase/lose your former identity just become you live in another country and learn a new language.

[@patrom8164]

@@Catapillah yes I agree, but multiculturalism is different it's when u get uncontrolled mass immigration which creates onclaives of thousands of people who just came in and live in the same area whlith their own laws. I have nothing against normal immigration where country takes in what it needs and not hundreds of thousands.. EU scheme doesn't work in my opinion.

[@erika4843]

Didn't Lithuanians themselves emigrating to countries who are multiculture? Didn't Lithuania used to be less safe than Western European countries 20,25,30 years ago after independence?

[@patrom8164]

@@erika4843 yes u r correct in every aspect. But I'm talking about uncontrolled mass immigration where it can easy overwhelm native population. That produces cultural friction and decay. Look at the multicultural hell holes all around Europe.. I'm not against normal immigration I'm against mass immigration.

[@Fankas2000]

The problem with "Lithuanian Patriotism" comes from westerners coming here and imposing their values. Lithuania isn't an immigrant nation, the average Lithuanian on the streets is the direct descendant of the very first human hunters that came to the region after the last ice age, so all the talk about "diversity" and "inclusion" is lost on us.

[@martynas3722]

Yes, but we still might pick up a lot of Good things. As long as interactions with other cultures is with mutual respect - it's great. But there is a form of patriotism, that is detrimental to the very country/nation it tries to protect, chersih

[@Fankas2000]

@@martynas3722 It seems to me that since independence, Lithuania has been blindly copying everything from the west, without ever stopping to think if what we are copying is actually good for the country. Vilnius has become so liberal that I don't think it can be described as "Lithuanian" anymore, instead it just feels like some generic European city. The biggest wake up call for me was when the "elites" in the capital were making fun of Trump and calling him racist for trying to enforce borders. Then, next thing you know, the same "elites" were building fences in the Belarus border, when illegals started pouring in... Absolutely no critical thinking, just parroting everything that comes from the liberal west, is what has happened to LT in the past 20 years.

[@IfSoGirl88]

Would you like russians to come and impose their "values" instead?

[@MrVafflis]

@@martynas3722 Which form is that exactly? If your talking about far right nationalist (where all European nations has), almost all of them belongs to po-Russia group. So what are you talking about again?

[@kerstas10]

@@martynas3722 that never worked. Give me atleast one country as eg. That it worked? British people hate London, Germans from province hates Berlin..

[@cabral_del_elpaso]

Sounds like Mexicans to me; Mexicans do the same things with outsiders.

[@cabral_del_elpaso]

@@lietuvaitelietuvos3650, You just proved my point. I am not comparing the two nation-states; as a historian, they are historical different from each other, and it will be silly of me to do it. However, I compare the reaction of both patriotic people by how they react or react in this form with outsiders. Fun fact: both countries are super Catholics.

[@erika4843]

Ditto Chinese people, where they are quite patriotic and nationalists.

[@aleksandrasmiksenas317]

Biggest shame i personally see here is that. In 2019 everything was more or less fine. And people were honestly enjoying life here. But after Covid it's all downhill and it feels like now more than ever there is incentive to leave because of the conditions here. I'm planning to stay of course but the Emigration rates have sadly skyrocketed again.

[@kerstas10]

I dont see any reason why emigrate. For better money? For whom? Unqualified labour intensive jobs dont pay enough, if wanna live decent there alone, then rent alone will eat your salary. You never gonna earn enough to buy a house or a flat there. Those with qualification, some sort of skills can easily make good money in Lithuania, and no need to emigrate. Best scenario now is working remotely for west, but living in LT. None of my frirndrs plan to emigrate, those who tasted that life, already back and knows that its not paradise there either. And those who left, now works enormous hours, saves every penny and plans to come back, then instantly buy a house. Could do that workimg in Lithuania, but saves 10+~ years.

[@norma8686]

I'm half Lithuanian half Italian, I lived in Lithuania 15 years and left when I was 18. I never felt at home in Lithuania, even though I spoke perfect Lithuanian I was always treated as an outsider. I tried to be a part of the country, the culture but I never could, people told me to go back to my own country so I did.

[@LithuaniaExplained]

I’m sorry to hear that. Do you feel more accepted where you are now?

[@norma8686]

@@LithuaniaExplained Yes, I live in Italy now and here people accept me, it is my birth country after all.

[@valdasendriulaitis50]

I find that hard to believe. But If true, Which of your parents was the Lithuanian one , if it was your mother then i guess you carried the stigma of having an Italian surname which signals… foreigner in the minds of Lithuanians till They get to know you , but since you spoke fluently Lithuanian I can’t understand how you weren’t accepted…..Since most Lithuanians that i know are extremely impressed and warm up to anyone that they deem as a foreigner, who speaks Lithuanian

[@suevialania]

🇵🇹👍🏻keep Lituânia, lithuanian! 🇱🇹 Multicultural iam is the greed for elites! Don't respect Nations identity!

[@povilzem]

There appears to be way fewer comments than the number indicated by youtube. My own comment, where I came uncomfortably close to open honesty, has been deleted. KZbin is clearly hostile to Lithuanian identity and freedom.

[@danrook5757]

Booooooooo

[@miglius1992]

I would say that if Lithuanian never existed there will be someone els replacing Europeans today ;) That's for fact is well true, and generally there would not be any Europeans!

[@gediminaspuskorius1195]

hmmm, would the answer to last topic about patriotism be - you love your neighbor Poland so much that when he speaks shit about you, you blame russia for dividing us.

[@valdasendriulaitis50]

Dividing us ? Are you kidding? We were never one , but two separate entities in a stupid commonwealth, that was our downfall and Poland showed Its true “ brotherly love” When IT Treacherously attacked us in 1919 and ended up annexing so much of our territory Some of which Poland still occupies to This day , ☝️ not to mention southern East Prussia which is ancient Balt land which Morally belongs to Lithuania since the old Prussians were Lithuania’s brother.

[@rickoidas]

Awesome video and amazing channel😁💪👏👏👏👏👏👏👏Im always waiting for yours new content👍

[@MultiOranuch]

I love Lithuania for the first time I has visited in JUNE 2023... Then I decide to explore more in May, 3-5 May 2024, flight tickets and Hotel are already booked 😃 💖💖💖 During 25 -27 May 2024 I will giude my good thai friends from Bangkok to see the GREAT LAND LITHUANIA. Will be an exciting and interesting tour destination for them...For the first time for them too.... THANK YOU FOR SHARING!🙏 Best Wishes from STOCKHOLM - SWEDEN 🎁🎁🎁🎁

[@MonaLisa-pv8ru]

Can you make a video about Homophobia in Lituania ?

[@LithuaniaExplained]

Sure, I can add to the list of topics for development. I know through conversations with Vilnius representatives that it’s one of their main goals to be more inclusive. But I guess a lot of Lithuanians have more traditional mindsets?

@@LithuaniaExplained yeah, I think you should create video about homophobia

[@MonaLisa-pv8ru]

@@LithuaniaExplained….especially about the homophobic church and priests, homophobic politicians and especially the president, and homophobic statements and protests unpunished by the law ( seimu marsas), the absence of the most elementary rights is at least a reflection and the complete unwillingness to solve them even after 30 years have passed since the declaration of independence .🏳️‍🌈♥️

[@bazinga-tt9pj]

@@MonaLisa-pv8ru protesting was done by legal means, also in what way was president homophobic? Inconsiderate - sure, spineless in more ways than one - sure, homophobic - how?

[@manometras]

@@mephistophelesgg7963 , it's not useless. And Mona Lisa might love or need to show all the worst of Lithuania. That might make her happy.