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Two significant anniversaries will be commemorated in Chicago on August 23 of this year. 75 years ago Hitler and Stalin decided to divide up Europe and thereby usher in the beginning of World War II. Their agreement was the infamous Molotov-Ribbentrop pact, signed on August 23, 1939. Fifty years later in 1989, the people of the three Baltic countries, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, joined hands in a human chain 650 kilometers long – the Baltic Way, which united the cities of Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn. This human chain demonstrated that tyranny did not crush the desire for freedom and independence of the Baltic people. If August 23, 1939, symbolizes the infamy of tyranny, then August 23, 1989, symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.

A quarter of a century after the significant events of 1989, Europe is witnessing Vladimir Putin’s attempts to bring back an era when international law was flouted and countries could be sliced up by pens of grasping dictators. Has the world forgotten what such predatory actions bring forth? We have a solemn duty to remind the world that a commitment to freedom and peace are not mere words in history textbooks. This love still lives in all our hearts.

The rally “Embrace Freedom the Baltic Way” is planned for 3:00 pm on Saturday, August 23, 2014, at Daley Plaza in Chicago (intersection of Washington St. and Dearborn St.). Lithuanian-Americans will join with Latvians, Estonians, Ukrainians, and other freedom-loving Americans in this demonstration of unity and a rededication to freedom. By commemorating two important historical anniversaries, we will bear witness that the spirit of freedom continues to burn in our hearts and that we will confront all threats to freedom including Putin’s current attack on Ukraine’s sovereignty.

This rally commemorating the “Singing Revolution” in the Baltic countries will include a number of well-known singers and performers. Algirdas Kaušpėdas, the leader of the rock group Antis will perform in Chicago during this event. He is one of the brightest symbols of the singing revolution. Armands Birkens, a Latvian musician and singer, associated with the liberation movement in the Baltic countries, will perform as well. The noted Estonian soloist Kristi Roosmaa will also participate. The Lithuanian song ensemble “Dainava”, the Lithuanian folk dance groups “Laumė” and “Suktinis”, dancers from “DanceDuo” and other performers will be in attendance. At the end of the rally, we will join hands and sing the legendary song “Bunda jau Baltija” (“The Baltics now Awaken”). We will thus remember the Baltic Way and show our solidarity with all nations striving for freedom and independence.

In addition to the rally “Embracing Freedom the Baltic Way” an exhibit, “No Home To Go To. The Story of Baltic Displaced Persons.” will open in the lobby of the Daley Center on the day of the demonstration. The exhibit is organized by the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture and its partners. It will explain the fate of political refugees from the Baltic countries during World War II, and it will be a vivid reminder of the consequences of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.

The rally is a joint project of the Consulate General of the Republic of Lithuania in Chicago, the Lithuanian-American Community, the Honorary Consuls of Latvia and Estonia along with the Latvian and Estonian communities of the Chicagoland area, and the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture. Sponsored by “Lithuanian Foundation”, “Lithuanian-American Community”, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, and Latvian and Estonian communities of the Chicagoland area.