For some, Dual citizenship is simply a way of maintaining a symbolic connection to their beloved homeland. Others have found themselves living and working abroad with the intentions of earning a living and supporting their families who remain in Lithuania. They have never abandonded their love for their country. Many toil day and night with the goal of returning to Lithaunia never far from their mind.
During their abscence the funds that are channeled to relatives back home benefit the Lithuanian economy. Upon their repatriation additonal funds also return with them. Adding a much need infussion to the economy also. Dual Citizenship status simply allows them to receive certain benefits earned as contributing citizens of their current host nation.
In my mind, the Lithuianian Government has no legitimate arguement against the allowance of Dual Citizenship. This idea that they will somehow limit the flow of people leaving the country is foolish. The loss of population is a reflection of their inability to create worthwhile sources of employement within their borders. And only appeals to overzealous ‘Nationalists’ who are quick to condemn anyone who would choose to provide for themselves and their families rather than being satisfied with waiving the flag on an empty stomach and watching the lives of their children or elderly parents stagnate or rapidly decline in the face of financial misfortune.
I have already received a few e-mail suggestions and comments. A couple of people mentioned that other groups exist. This is true, I belong to a few myself. Just my opinion…most of them seem to be stuck on discussions that are limited to just a handfull of subjects. Some of them are dedicated to specific subjects such as history. Others seem to dominated by their web-master…and others present and endless stream of personal ‘chit-chat’, seldom does anything pertaining to Lithuania or Lithuanians get posted or discussed.
They all serve their members interests to some degree. And I sincerely wish them continued success. I am of the opinion that something better can be created. It only takes a few dedicated people to ’share’ in a vision. And there is always room for another Lithuanian Forum!
I’ve been entertaining the idea of creating a new Forum about Lithuania and Lithuanians. It would be primarily an English Language forum. Lietuviskai would be included if I can enlist the help of fluent Lithuanian speakers to act as moderators in order to insure that ethics are followed.
I tried this once before but was unable to attract enough people who shared a genuine interest in a wide variety of issues and topics. Most postings were along the lines of “Lithuania Rocks Dude!” or “I’m Lithuanian…What’s that? “
There are a lot of good people who maintain or visit Blogs here at WordPress. This time it might actually be worth attempting. I don’t recall wether or not WordPress offers such a format? Another possibility is Delphi Forums. It’s free, and easy to register. I like the page format because all topics are stored in ‘Folders’ that are easily accessed. Also, WordPress Blog owners would be able to post links and references to their blogs and specific posts. This would make it easier to let multiple commentors discuss posts in great depth without making it neccesary for the blog owners to act as a referee. Or feel obligated to answer every post.
Wether you are a WordPress blog owner or an interested visitor who may be interested in creating such a forum, please let me know if you would be interested in participating in such a forum in the future!
I hope that some of you will be inspired to look a little deeper into our heritage. By taking the time to learn more about the struggles and achievements of our ancestors, Our Heritage can be understood in a far more vivid light. Just about everyone has some desire to ‘Belong’ to or associate themselves with a club, a team, an organization, a ‘movement’…well you get the picture. Some are quite passionate in their support. “Sports Fans” are perfect example of this. Just a reminder…”OUR TEAM” has been around for thousands of years!
And the ranks of the players have been filled by our ancestors and family members since long before recorded history. Every time we speak a Lithuanian word, a little ‘magic’ is shared between us. (Doesn’t matter how much or how little you can speak!) Every time you pass on a small piece of our heritage to your children, that ‘magic’ is allowed to propogate and flourish! During the holidays, when we put a few traditional foods on the table and recall tales told by loved ones who have long since passed on, We remember our bonds. These simple acts of tradition reach across the ages to connect us with our ancestors, and across the globe, to connect us with each other! It is not simple romantics that keep you ‘in touch’ with your Lithuanian ‘Spirit’. It is not ‘by chance’ that Lithuania continues to exist despite the challenges of invading armies, occupation by neighbors, and severe hardships suffered throughout the centuries. Some might say “But I never learned any Lithuanian and my family never celebrated holidays with Traditional Lithuanian foods or decorations!” I would tell them …”It has all been preserved FOR you!”
If you don’t know any words…learn some!
If you don’t know of any tradional Lithuanian foods…ask for recipes!
If you don’t know any traditional folk stories…search for them!
All of these things BELONG TO YOU! …and much more!
There are many people who are willing to help you to discover more about your heritage.
From time to time I have taken part in conversations about the obvious changes in the ‘Lithuanian Landscape” that have occurred since Lithuania’s reemergence as a sovereign republic. Most are somewhat shocked by the pace of modernization but approve. Some are disappointed. They are disheartened to see the image of old being replaced by modern structures, shopping malls and the proliferation of technological advances such as cell phones and the like. And somewhat concerned that Lithuania will forsake it’s unique identity an character in it’s quest for modernization.
This attitude is selfish. Lithuanians are no different than any other culture in their desires to improve their living standards. To entertain the idea that Lithuanians should live in a time capsule and not expand their horizons to include modern facilities and devices that make life more pleasurable is absolutely ridiculous. I often remind them that cultural museums exist for the purpose of preserving memories. And the Architectural Gems that have existed in Lithuania over the course of centuries are not slated for the wrecking ball.
Lithuanians place high value on the historical value of the buildings which grace the streets of their cities.
Then the topic of Music and Night Clubs usually comes up! One person stated that when they visit Lithuania they don’t want to hear western style music. My answer to them is don’t go to Night Clubs that offer such a venue! There are plenty of places that offer Music by Lithuanian Artists!
The hard and simple fact is that countries, cultures, languages and all of the aspects that distinguish one people from another are in a constant state of flux and evolution. This is only natural. Each set of new generations decide what to maintain from the previous ones. The new generations are charged with the responsibility of guiding Lithuania into the future. With this responsibility comes the right to do so in a manner that they choose.
I often remind them that the Lithuania of old was never static. It was constantly being influenced by external and internal influences. A good example is “Modern” Lithuanian as spoken today. It has undergone many significant changes since the days when your grandfather left it’s shores. Many ‘Lithuanianized’ words that were borrowed from the Polish and Russian languages are no longer in use by the general population. In Actuality, the dated version of Lithuanian that you may have learned from a loved one was ‘less’ authentic in terms of ‘Baltic’ identity than the language as spoken by the current residents
of Lithuania today!
It remains the sole responsibility of the people of Lithuania to determine her future. Our responsibility as Descendants and Nationals Living Abroad is to encourage them to evolve and to shape the future. And to support them in their efforts whenever possible.
Disciples of Mikola Jermalovic have embraced his erroneous and misleading interpretation of the origin of the Lithuanian Grand Duchy for quite some time now.
The theories that he has promoted have been accepted as gospel by his followers.
Despite the fact that this clever manipulation and convenient omission of historical evidence has been dismissed by western academia for more than a century, it continues to appeal to the suffering egos of Belarus Nationalists and perhaps a large portion of the general population which is desperate to lay claim to some glorious past. The Slavic and Baltic ancestors of present day Belarus did in fact play an important role in the expansion of the Lithuanian Grand Duchy. Yet they are not satisfied with this recognition. And continue to promote claims based on falsehoods that thus far only they have endorsed.
I’m certain that given time, another ‘Prominent’ Belarus historian will announce to the world that the story of the Bible was altered to lead people to believe that Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem and lay claim to the Duchy of Navahradak as his birthplace.
It has been proposed that the ancestors of the Belarus could not have possibly been ruled by the Lithuanians because their numbers were far smaller. My question would then be ”How is it possible that the millions of people in present day Belarus are ruled by a mere handful of Communists and Criminals?”
Perhaps those who worship Jermalovic should create their own blog where intellectuals of like minds can gather and reinforce each others convictions. If traffic is a little slow they might consider redirecting their efforts towards finding new lyrics to apply to an old Polka favorite such as“Who stole the Kishka?”I suggest “Who stole thePahonia?” It might become popular and attract some much needed attention to your mission! (Only in Belarus because the rest of the world is not interested)
My aunt was a young girl at the turn of the century. She suddenly became very ill and was diagnosed as having Polio Disease. At that time there was no cures or vaccines. The doctors simply told my Lithuanian granparents to prepare for her death.
They refused to give up hope and instead enlisted the help of some ‘Old Timers’ from Lithuania who continued to rely on herbal remedies for just about everything. After gathering supplies from wooded areas and fields they arrived at my grandfather’s house. To find my aunt proped up in a chair and being spoon fed as she had already become paralysed!
They set to work immediatley. Boiling and pulverizing all sorts of strange concoctions. Some were fed to my aunt and others were placed in bath water. She quickly began to develop huge blisters. The old timers assured my grandparents that this was a normal reaction. The blisters were lanced and the treatments were continued until my aunt slowly regained mobility and eventually was restored to her former good health.
Perhaps she was misdiagnosed by the medical doctors. But they were all too familiar with the ravages of Polio Disease. Regardless of what her illness may or may not have been, She was very near death and cured by the old timers. She lived on to raise a family of her own and recently welcomed the addition of another great-grandchild!
For anyone who is interested in very detailed descriptions of Lithuanian Medieval History including the various interpretations supported by Belarus, Russia, Poland and etc.
Signatures ARE NOW BEING COLLECTED for a petition to the Republic of Lithuania in favor of allowing Lithuanian Citizens to maintain Dual Citizenship status.
Mieli lietuviai,
Prasau pasirasyti Peticija LR Seimui del dvigubos pilietybes.
Persiuskite si internetini saukini visiems, kurie yra suinteresuoti lietuviu prigimtines teises buti LR pilieciais islaikymu!
