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Daiva’s Story

Freedom & Identity Reclaimed

“It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated.

We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny.

Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

– Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

On August 19, 1991, Soviet hardliners attempted to seize power in Moscow, placing Lithuania’s independence in danger once again. Inside the barricaded Parliament in Vilnius, we prepared for the possibility of another Soviet attack.

When the coup collapsed, everything changed. 

Lithuanians sent Gorbachev an ultimatum to withdraw Soviet forces from the TV Tower and other occupied buildings.

Gorbachev capitulated.

Soviet forces withdrew from the buildings they occupied, foreign governments recognized Lithuania’s restored independence, and the country finally emerged from five decades of Soviet rule.

For me, freedom carried a deeply personal meaning. Lithuania had reclaimed its place among independent nations, and the heritage I had grown up fearing could disappear was no longer something that existed in memory.

1991 – 08 – 19

The barricades and obstacles along the street leading to the front of the parliament building.

Photo: Auris Jarašūnas

1991 – 08 – 19

Did you know there was a minefield behind the parliament building on August 19? Neither did I until I tried to take a shortcut across it and saw the mine tags. This is an actual minefield tag I took from the minefield. Don't worry, I didn't retrieve this tag until after the August Coup failed and the minefield was decommissioned.

1991 – 08 – 19

Unarmed Lithuanians gather to serve as human shields to protect Parliament on the first day of the August Coup, when USSR President Gorbachev was taken hostage by Communist hardliners.

Photo: Auris Jarašūnas

1991 – 08 – 19

Barricades inside of the Lithuanian Parliament building during the August 19-21, 1991 coup.

Photo: Auris Jarašūnas

1991 – 08 – 19

No one was fooled upon hearing the news that Gorbachev was "sick" by the "Emergency Committee," which announced they had to take control of the USSR. Lithuanians gathered at parliament to serve as human shields, assuming a Soviet attack was imminent.

Photo: Auris Jarašunas

1991 – 08 – 19

By the evening of the first day of the August Coup, thousands of Lithuanians serving as human shields gathered at the parliament.

Photo: Auris Jarašūnas

1991 – 08 – 19

Citizens at the Lithuanian Parliament building serving as human shields during the August 19-21, 1991 coup

Photo: Auris Jarašūnas

1991 – 08 – 19

Citizens at the Lithuanian Parliament building serving as human shields during the August 19-21, 1991 Coup.

Photo: Auris Jarašūnas

1991 – 08 – 19

Barricades at the bridge that leads to the parliament square.

Photo: Auris Jarašūnas

1991 – 08 – 19

A Lithuanian volunteer guard inside the the Vilnius Parliament building during the August 19-21 coup.

Photo: Auris Jarašūnas

1991 – 08 – 19

Crowds pour into Independence Square to serve as human shields during the August Coup.

Photo: Auris Jarašūnas

1991 – 08 – 19

Late night at the parliament building during the August Coup.

Photo: Auris Jarašūnas

1991 – 08 – 22

The Soviet military withdrew from the TV studio center on Konarsko Gatvė. Auris and I ran from the parliament to the center to witness the event.

Photo: Auris Jarašūnas

1991 – 08 – 22

The Soviet military withdrew from the TV studio center on Konarsko Gatvė. Auris and I ran from the parliament to the center to witness the event.

Photo: Auris Jarašūnas

1991 – 08 – 22

The Soviet military withdrew from the TV studio center on Konarsko Gatvė. Auris and I ran from the parliament to the center to witness the event.

Photo: Auris Jarašūnas

1991 – 08 – 22

The Soviet military withdrew from the TV studio center on Konarsko Gatvė. Auris and I ran from the parliament to the center to witness the event.

Photo: Auris Jarašūnas

1991 – 08 – 22

The Soviet military withdrew from the TV studio center on Konarsko Gatvė. Auris and I ran from the parliament to the center to witness the event.

Photo: Auris Jarašūnas.

1991 – 08 – 22

Lithuanians gathered to witness the Soviet military withdraw from the TV studio center on Konarsko Gatvė. Auris and I ran from the parliament to the center to witness the event.

Photo: Auris Jarašūnas

1991 – 08 – 22 20:00

After Gorbachev returned to Moscow, and the Soviet military withdrew from the Vilnius TV Tower, Lithuanians poured into independence Square.

Photo: Auris Jarašūnas

1991 – 08 – 22 20:00

After Gorbachev returned to Moscow and the Soviet military withdrew from the Vilnius TV Tower, Lithuanians filled Independence Square.

Photo: Auris Jarašūnas

1991 – 08 – 22 20:00

After the Soviet military withdrew from the Vilnius TV Tower, thousands of Lithuanians gathered at Independence Square.

Photo: Auris Jarašūnas

1991 – 08 – 22 20:00

After the Soviet military withdrew from the Vilnius TV Tower, Lithuanians gathered in Independence Square. Parliament staff watched from the windows. I am in the open window on the left.

Photo: Auris Jarašūnas

1991 – 08 – 22 20:00

After the Soviet military withdrew from the Vilnius TV Tower, about 200,000 Lithuanians gathered for a rally. Landsbergis gave a speech celebrating Lithuania's victory. As Landsbergis concluded, the people sang Lithuania's national anthem, thundering across the city.

Photo: Auris Jarašūnas

1991 – 08 – 23

The statue of Lenin had been torn down. Parliament InfoBureau employee Rimvydas with an Estonian journalist.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 08 – 23

With an Estonian journalist to witness the Lenin statue being torn down.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 08 – 23

I watch the tearing down of the Lenin statue. It was euphoric to watch him get carted away ...

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 08 – 23

Anti-Soviet protest posters displayed in front of the KGB building, which was still operating and occupied by Soviet authorities in Vilnius despite Lithuanian independence.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 08 – 23

Protest at the KGB building in Vilnius, which was still occupied by Soviet authorities. But that day, I received a call that the building was on fire. When I arrived, I found KGB workers burning documents in the yard. This sign states that this was the location of the genocidal crimes against Lithuanians and will be the future site of the Lithuanian Genocide Museum.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 08 – 23

The Coup had failed. The Soviet Military withdrew from the TV Tower. Now an anti-Soviet protest was underway at the KGB building. I was called out to see what was happening at the KGB building since a fire was reported. I managed to talk my way into the courtyard with my Parliament ID and saw KGB workers burning documents.

Photo: Auris Jarašūnas

1991 – 08 – 23

After the Lenin statue was removed, Lithuanians broke apart Lenin's red granite statue pedestal.

Photo: Auris Jarašūnas

1991 – 08 – 23

Once the Lenin statue was removed, Lithuanians rushed upon the pedestal to celebrate. Auris (in the suit and tie) stands in the middle.

Photo: Auris Jarašūnas

1991 – 08 – 23

Lenin's leg was removed.

Photo: Auris Jarašūnas

1991 – 08 – 24

Right after the 1991 August Coup, on the phone with a journalist and with my trusty gas mask.

Photo: Auris Jarašūnas

1991 – 08 – 29

French Foreign Minister Roland Dumas' visit to Lithuania was the first official state visit by a government official to the newly independent Republic of Lithuania. Press conference.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 08 – 29

The first official visit by a foreign dignitary: French Foreign Minister Roland Dumas. My job was to get all of the press in place for the press conference.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 08 – 29

Delegation Chief Asta is thrilled about the new Republic of Lithuania's very first official diplomatic visit, French Foreign Minister Roland Dumas. She stands outside Landsbergis' office, the sandbags we quickly learned were the favorite place for foreign journalists to take photos of all visiting dignitaries with Landsbergis.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09

Šarūnas Adomavičius, Edis Tuskenis and Darius Šilas preparing the letter to the United Nations requesting Lithuanian membership

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09

Two giants of the independence movement: Romas Sakoldolskis with Laima Pilukaitė. Romas was a Lithuanian-American whose voice was known throughout Lithuania. He worked at the Voice of America, reporting the news in Lithuanian to the Lithuanian audience behind the Iron Curtain. He also helped lobby the U.S. government by providing the facts on the ground in Lithuania. His unique activist efforts to support Lithuanian independence made a huge difference by crushing the Kremlin's propaganda by getting "Lithuania's voice" out to the world. Laima, a computer engineer, joined Sąjūdis when it formed and created the Sąjūdis newsletter, which informed Lithuanians about rallies and political calls to action. At parliament, she became a special adviser to Landsbergis and the government. (And she typed up the Lithuanian Act of the Reestablishment of Independence as the parliament deputies made edits before voting on it!)

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09

Snieguolė and Latvian journalist inside the InfoBureau.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09

Arvydas Repšys, the InfoBureau tech telecommunications manager (fax, telex). Known as "Sadammas" in the InfoBureau.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09

With Audronis Ažubalis, Chief Spokesperson for the Republic of Lithuania, outside of Landsbergis' fortified office.

1991 – 09

Arūnė with journalist and InfoBureau regular Domantas Vildžiūnas. The coup was over, and Lithuania was free. We had a lot to smile about!

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09

Lithuanian Defense Department representative and my direct contact, Pauliukas. I spent a lot of time on the phone with him, passing along information about Soviet military activities that citizens reported. And he spent a good amount of time explaining the differnt Soviet military untis and what these activities might mean.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09

Another one of my Defense Department contacts, visiting the InfoBureau for a smoke.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09

The secretary for Spokesperson Audronis Ažubalis.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09

Local Lithuanian journalists and regulars at the InfoBureau, Romas Dabrukas.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09

Having breakfast in the parliament cafe with co-worker Arūnė.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09

Landsbergis's staff member, Jolanta, is going to France (her dream!) on a diplomatic mission.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09

Edis Tuskenis, another American-Lithuanian, supported Landsbergis' office in various ways, translating for Landsbergis in the office and from abroad, working with the Lithuanian exile diplomatic missions, and working with Voice of America. Here, arriving in Vilnius to help craft Lithuania's application to the United Nations, among a list of things Landsbergis has for him.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09

Lithuanian journalist and videographer, Domantas Vildžūnas. He was never afraid to go into the action and is responsible for capturing much of the footage that ended up on various Western broadcasts. He was always a welcome reprieve at the InfoBureau. No matter how stressed out and scared we were, Domantas brought some levity and a smile to our faces. At the same time, he was self-assured and serious, understood the gravity of events at all times, and helped bring clarity to my anxious mind.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09

Demonstrating to a journalist how I handled calls during the August Coup. Those long pages taped to the wall were telexes and phone numbers for foreign news agencies and diplomatic contacts.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09

After completing the application for membership to the United Nations. (Edis Tuskenis, Šarūnas Adomavičius, and Darius Šilas)

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09

Arvydas Repšys (AKA "Sadammas"), InfoBureau technical communications manager. (He didn't normally wear suits, but the French Foreign Minister arrived!)

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09

Parliament Security

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09

Parliament Security

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09

Lithuanian Government translator extraordinaire Raimonda Murmokaitė, with Landsbergis' translator, editor, assistant, etc., Lithuanian-American Darius Šilas (also Daiva's roommate). Inside the InfoBureau office of Rita Dapkus.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09

Lithuanian photojournalist and friend, Sigitas. He told me where to get toilet paper on the black market.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09

Our frequent visiting Latvian journalists inside the InfoBureau.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09

My InfoBureau co-workers, Tomas and Rimvydas.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09

With the official Government Translator for the Prime Minister, Raimonda Murmokaitė, inside the InfoBureau.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09

Parliament's main English translator and the primary translator for Landsbergis, Loreta Musanja. Here, at a press briefing. (And she was my neighbor in the government housing in Fabijoniškis.)

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09

Parliament Information Department staff hanging out in the hallway lounge area outside the InfoDept offices.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09

On the barricades on the bridge which stopped Soviet tanks during the 199 August Coup.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09

How I lived inside the Parliament building. Of course, we always slept with the Lithuanian flag!

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09

In the Infobureau, with my gas mask and flag in hand, ready for action!

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09 – 14

Lithuanian citizens greet U.S. Secretary of State James Baker. My view from the InfoBureau office.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09 – 14

U.S. Secretary of State James Maker arrives at parliament.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 09 – 14

U.S. Secretary James Baker meets with Vytautas Landsbergis inside his office.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 10

His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama tours Vilnius - here at the Cathedral Square.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 10

His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama meets with Landsbergis.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 10

His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama dances during a visit to an orphanage in Vilnius.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 10

Vytautas Landsbergis meets with His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama in Vilnius.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 10

At the Vilnius airport, His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama arrives for his official visit. I was responsible for ensuring His Holiness' personal needs were met. Here I am with the Dalai Lama's personal attendant.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 10

His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama arrives at the Vilnius airport for his official visit.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 10

With some of the Tibetan delegation during the visit of His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama. (Tibetan Lawyer Michael Van Pelt, Daiva, Lithuanian Delegation Chief Edita, Tibetan representative)

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 10

Lithuanian-American journalist and translator, Romas, hanging out in Landsbergis' advisor's office.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

His Holiness The Dalai Lama

1991 – 10

With His Holiness The Dalai Lama during his visit to Lithuania in October 1991!!!

1991 – 11

What was left of the Lenin statue base in Vilnius after civilians took their souvenirs as the city began to dismantle it.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 11 – 28

Marcella and Jonas with a Danish Friend at the new U.S. Embassy in Vilnius, to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 11 – 28

Thanksgiving at the new U.S. Embassy in Vilnius with the expats. (Daiva, Darius, Justina, Marcella)

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 12

On my way back to Los Angeles for Christmas, I took a train to Berlin to catch my flight. I had time for some sightseeing, and I was surprised that Checkpoint Charlie was now a tourist destination.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 12

The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin after the Soviet Union collapsed. I could not believe I could simply walk back and forth, as my mind still held the visions of the Berlin Wall and armed watchtowers keeping an eye on everyone.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1991 – 12 – 14

Daily News article about me. They interviewed me when I went home for Christmas.

1992 – 02

My ID for wrangling the press for the official visit of the United States Vice President Dan Quayle to Lithuania.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 02

U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle is greeted by 200,000 Lithuanians in Independence Square. I stand across the line while wrangling foreign journalists.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 02

U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle arrives at Parliament to meet with Landsbergis, and the photo op by the sandbags outside his office.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 02

U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle arrived in Vilnius to sign diplomatic treaties with Lithuania and to officially open the American Embassy in Vilnius. I served as the head press wrangler; hence my close proximity to the VP. That Secret Service guy with the glasses looks serious, but he was quite nice.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 02

Local Lithuanian journalist and photographer, Sigitas, is in a good spot to capture U.S. Vice President Quayle's speech at the rally in Independence Square.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 02

Rally in Independence Square to greet U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle. My job was to wrangle the press in place to get the best photos and videos of the event. Close-up of Lithuanian security smiling during this joyous occasion.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 02

Rally in Independence Square to greet U.S. Vice President Quayle - and some messages for the current Lithuanian government. Lithuanians were done with protesting ...

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 02

Rally in Independence Square to greet U.S. Vice President Quayle - and some messages for the current Lithuanian government.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 02

Parliament security and InfoBureau regulars waiting for Landsbergis and U.S. VP Quayle to take the stage.

1992 – 02

Journalist and videographer Domantas Vildžūnas secured the prime location in Independence Square for when Landsbergis and U.S. VP Quayle take the stage.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 02

Landsbergis and U.S. VP Quayle, waving at the crowd, while Parliament Security (another InfoBureau regular) monitors the scene.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 02

Wrangling the Press for U.S. VP Dan Quayle's official visit to Lithuania. At Independence Square, waiting for Quayle's speech with 100,000 citizens behind me.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 02

Official Press Spokesperson Audronis Ažubalis and Ruta, preparing to meet U.S. President Dan Quayle.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 02

U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle meets Landsbergis outside his office. i am wrangling the press to prepare them for getting a great photo by the sandbags.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 02

The swarm of journalists I wrangled for the official state visit of US VP Quayle. Here, meeting with Landsbergis.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 03

What was left of the Lenin statue's pedestal. It was normal to see people stand on top of it and do the "Lenin pose." I think I captured him precisely!

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 03

Simas receives certificates of completion of special security training from the United States. The U.S. provided various forms of help, from donating old computers from the Library of Congress to programs that help Lithuanians raise their standards using the latest Western resources, such as Secret Service personal protection.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 05 – 13

The official visit of French President Francois Mitterrand. He was extremely thoughtful and took his time to shake hands with parliament staff, including me.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 07

Standing on the barricades that prevented Soviet tanks from approaching on August 19, 1991. Parliament is in the background. The barricades remained in place even though Lithuania was free, because Russia still had military bases in Lithuania and refused to withdraw all its troops.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 09

Working in the InfoBureau

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 10

Vytautas Landsbergis signing the new Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 10

With the parliament's Polish translator.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 10

Watching Landsbergis sign the new Lithuanian Constitution. (Snieguolė, Pauparas, Daiva, staff, Pauliukas

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 10

Landsbergis is at the podium during a parliament session. I wish I had a better camera back then...

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 10

My Information Department co-workers.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 10

Parliament employees.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 10

Parliament document translators.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 10

This is not Vytautas Landsbergis signing the Lithuanian Constitution. This is my co-worker, Snieguole Ziukaite, sitting before the actual constitution that Landsbergis would sign an hour later. While we waited for Landsbergis and the rest of the deputies to show up and I got the journalists in place for the upcoming photo-ops, I talked Snieguole into sitting there while I snapped a quick photo. She didn't want to do it with all the journalists there, but I could be persuasive.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 11

Paulius Pauparas, the Information Department Chief, at my going-away party.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 11

My co-workers, and friends: Loreta Musanja (official translator for Landsbergis), Arūnė (InfoBureau spokesperson, editor), and Laima Pilukaitė (parliament advisor)

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 11

With my amazing, courageous boss, Rita Dapkus.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 11

My going-away party at the InfoBureau. (Rimvydas, Jonas, Arūnė)

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 11

At my going-away party. Jonas and Edita.

1992 – 11

At my going-away party. Deputy Emmanuelis Zingeris.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 11

My going-away party. My co-workers signed their best wishes in a book for me.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 11

At my going-away party.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 11

At my going-away party.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 11

At my going-away party.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 11

At my going-away party.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

1992 – 11 – 12

Letter of Recommendation from Vytautas Landsbergis, the leader of the Lithuanian revolution, which I forwarded to every potential employer during future job interviews.

1992 – 11 – 25

My parliament employment workbook, which began May 1, 1991, and ended November 25, 1992.

2002

Lithuanian Presidential Decree declaring me the recipient of the Commemorative Medal of January 13 for my contibutions to Lithuanian independence

2014

The old barricades are now displayed by the parliament building. "God, Thank You." and the date when Lithuania became a member of the United Nations.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

2014

Memorial for the victims at the TV Tower in Vilnius.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

2014

Memorial to Artūras Sakalauskas, killed by Soviet KGB forces on August 21, 1991, while defending the Parliament building.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

2014

The Medininkai Customs Post has been preserved as it was the night eight post workers were shot execution-style by the Soviet OMON on July 31, 1991.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

2014

"On July 31, 1991, here at the Medininkai customs post, Lithuanian officers were maliciously attacked and murdered" The memorial for the victims at the Medininkai customs post site.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

2014

The old barricades are now displayed by the parliament building.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

2014

The old barricades are now displayed by the parliament building.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

2014

The Soviet military's 1991 attack plan for the TV Tower. On display at the small museum at the bottom floor of the TV Tower. Gorbachev still claims he knew nothing of the attack and that it was all dreamed up by some random Soviet local commander.

2014

I am pointing to the InfoBureau windows, now behind glass barricades for preservation.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

2014

Memorials in the shadow of the TV Tower.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

2014

The Old Palace archaeological dig site, where I once worked, is now a museum. The Palace building has been reconstructed to be historically accurate. In the basement, you can see the ruins of the old palace where young students like me helped dig.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

2014

In the space where Vitas and I once worked on the archaeological dig. Now, a new, beautiful Palace Museum has been rebuilt according to the records of the original Renaissance Palace.

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

2014

The graves at Antakalnis Cemetery of the victims of the January 13, 1991, Soviet attack at the TV Tower and of the Medininkai murders by Soviet OMON forces on July 31, 1991 .

Photo: Daiva K. Venckus

Additional Story Galleries

Roots & Inheritence
Crossing the Iron Curtain
Inside the Revolution