A Modern Lithuanian Identity

What defines Lithuania’s modern identity?

Is it granny’s Šaltibarščiai and a beer in the sauna? Warm cepelinai by the fire in winter?

Lithuania has many faces, but nature, good food and the elements plays a role in all of them. Simplicity is king for a people with such a complicated history.

Under the boot of Eastern and Western imperialists multiple times, Lithuania’s identity has been forged under pressure. They have faced a few hundred years of Northern crusades by Germanic Knights, danced with the imperial Swedish Empire and endured two centuries of Russian and Soviet occupation.

And the result?

Fishing lines and beer cans.

Simple living.

But simple living imbued with a fierce patriotism and strong sense of identity.

You can see it in the multitude of Lithuanian tricolours that flutter across their towns and villages, the historical Vytis (knight) heraldry plastering car windscreens and gas stations, and the fact that Lithuanian’s still name their kids after Mindaugas and Gediminas, famous figureheads from the 13th and 14th centuries.

Indeed, Lithuania hasn’t forgotten that it was once one of Europe’s greatest powers, stretching from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea across much of modern day Belarus and Ukraine, they just understand that they have suffered too, choosing a humble outlook on life and all of its challenges.

And it was the challenges of the 20th century which are felt strongest today. Hundreds of thousands of deportations, warring superpowers and a forced Russian language left its mark. The older generation had it the hardest, and this memory is probably what contributes to Lithuania having the happiest population of under 30’s in the world.

For the young of today, Lithuania is a country of hope (yellow), prosperity (green) and a powerful reminder of where they came from (red).

So next time you see a Lithuanian enjoying the simple things, remember, it was hard fought and won.

Want to learn more about Lithuania, see its natural beauty and try some food? Come along to our weekly Saturday tours from Vilnius to Trakai and back. 11am at Katedros Aikste. 16th August and on. 🙏

The Nature that cuts right into the heart of Vilnius, a Modern-UNESCO city.