BALTS' UNITY DAY IN KULDĪGA

Already traditional Balts’ Unity Day is an annual event celebrated to commemorate the battle of the Sun of 22 September 1236 when Lithuanians and Semigallians defeated Livonian Brothers of the Sword. In 2019 it was hosted in Biržai, Lithuania. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, last year’s celebration was postponed to 2021.   

The Balts' Unity Day in Kuldīga City Garden was opened by the Speaker of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia Ināra Murniece and the Speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Latvia Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen. Ritvars Jansons, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia and Inga Bērziņa, Chairperson of Kuldīga Local Municipality also addressed the meeting. The Latvian and Lithuanian diplomatic choirs performed songs both in Latvian and Lithuanian.

The cultural programme of the Balts’ Unity Day was plentiful and diverse. There was an ancient craft market, which attracted many people. There was a chance to see the weapons and armour of ancient soldiers, to shoot a bow, to enjoy other medieval games and activities. There was also a photo orientation game in Kuldīga organised by Interreg Latvia and Tūrists Savā Pilsētā and different masterclasses. On the stage of Kuldīga City Garden Latvian and Lithuanian folk music and folklore groups played music. In the evening the Ancient Night of Fire took place on the bank of Venta River. The ritual was conducted by Edgars Lipors and the folklore group “Vilki”.   

The Latvian deputies from the parliamentary group for promoting cooperation with the Parliament of Lithuania and the Lithuanian deputies from the parliamentary group for promoting cooperation with the Parliament of Latvia also took active part in various events.

Balts' Unity Day event is one of the Interreg V-A Latvia–Lithuania Cross Border Cooperation Programme 2014–2020 project no. LLI-447 "Exploring Balts and Promoting Awareness of the International Cultural Route "Balts' Road" (“Explore balts”) activities.

This project is funded by the European Union.

This article has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this article are the sole responsibility of Kuldiga Local Municipality and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union.