In the Sukilėliai Hill - the solemn 1863-1864 commemoration of the uprising

In 2023 June 29th at the Sukilėliai Hill, the historical memory commemoration "Motherland, freedom and honor 1863" organized by the Šiauliai Cultural Center took place, dedicated to 1863-1864, for the 160th anniversary of the uprising. At the festive concert, it was possible to hear a piece written especially for this anniversary, as well as other beautiful songs that fostered love for the homeland. The event gave meaning to the bravery and courage of the freedom fighters and reminded the gathering of the only goal the rebels had at that time - the desire for freedom.
Organizer - Šiauliai City Municipality, organizer - Šiauliai Culture Center.

The festive commemoration began with the song "Lord's Lily" performed by the Šiauliai Wind Orchestra (artistic director Sigitas Vaičiulionis, conductor Gediminas Brūzga) and soloist Evelina Gancevska (music and lyrics by Gintarė Jautakė). Gen. of the Šiauliai County of the Lithuanian Rifle Association. Mr. Plechavičius' 6th national team of shooters ceremoniously brought the flag of the Republic of Lithuania - it was raised and honored together with the flags of Poland, Ukraine and Belarus.

Šiauliai is becoming a special city. In these conditions of globalization, I cannot but be proud that we in the city of Šiauliai pay great attention to the historical future. And without the memory of history - we don't have a future", said the historian who participated in the event, prof. Dr. Arūnas Gumuliauskas.

The solemn event commemorated the historical facts that took place in 1863-1864, and talked about the common determination of Lithuanians, Poles, Belarusians and Ukrainians to fight together and not give up in the name of one and the same goal - freedom.

"The uprising in Lithuania began in 1863. on February 1, when the Lithuanian Provincial Committee announced that it had introduced its own authority and thus supported the struggle against tsarist Russia that had already begun in Poland. "Lithuanians, Poles, Belarusians and Ukrainians sought to liberate themselves from the oppression of the Russian Empire - it was the most militant and longest-lasting liberation movement and the fight for freedom in the Russian Empire in the nineteenth century," said Vladas Baranauskas, host of the event.

Scouts from Šiauliai honored the graves of the rebels by placing flowers and lighting symbolic candles at the crosses and altars near the Rebels' monument.

At an event with important historical significance, listeners had a unique opportunity to hear the song "Motherland, freedom and honor" written especially for this occasion. 1863" (composer Jaroslavas Cechanovičius, text author Dalia Teišerskytė) premiered. The event also featured the composer Vladas Paulauskis' march "Valio, laisvoji Lietuva!" and other well-known works.

Immediately after the solemn event, the gathered participants were invited to take part in an excursion organized by the Šiauliai Tourism Information Center for 1863-1864 to commemorate the uprising.

The information is provided by Asta Vaitkienė, Head of the Event Organization Department of the Šiauliai Cultural Center, mobile. +370 671 42 901, e-mail asta.vaitkiene@siauliukc.lt.

Liubov Yarmoshenko's photo.