Vilnius celebrates The Independence Day

On 11 March, the capital will commemorate the Independence Day Centennial and will invite to celebrate Freedom together – to take part in the traditional flag raising ceremony of the three Baltic States in the Independence Square of Vilnius, to march in a festive parade on the Gediminas Avenue, to personally congratulate Lithuania and say “Thank you” as well as to take a picture at the Centennial Bell on the Cathedral Square, to spend the afternoon listening to the most exciting stories of Vilnius guides in the Old Town of Vilnius, and try out the meaningful and fun entertainment of the colorful festival “Spring Fun” at the Vilnius Energy and Technology Museum.

The Independence Day celebration in the capital will begin with several traditional solemn events. At 9 a.m., the solemn flower laying ceremony will take place on the Independence Square in Vilnius at the monument “Žinia” designated to commemorating of 11 March. at 10 a.m., the celebration will move to the Hall of the Act of 11 March in the Chamber of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, in which the traditional commemoration of the Independence Day of Lithuania will take place.

At 12 p.m., on the Independence Square of Vilnius, during the solemn ceremony, the flags of the three Baltic states will be raised. At 12:10 p.m, the festive parade of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Orchestra and the Honor Guard soldiers as well as the residents of Vilnius celebrating Freedom will start the Gediminas Avenue from the Independence Square to the Cathedral Square.

At 1 p.m. the participants of the festive parade of 11 March will be met by an enthusiastic group of Vilnius guides on the Vilnius Cathedral Square, who will greet the residents of Vilnius and the guests of the city with the Independence Day, invite them to celebrate Freedom interestingly and meaningfully – they will give them free tours. Professional guides will invite to explore the Old Town of Vilnius and share the extraordinary stories of old Vilnius: “Old Town Courtyards“, “Royal Vilnius“, “Vilnius Love Stories“, “Vilnius Ghetto“ (Stiklių Square), “Women Who Had an Impact on Statehood“, “Let‘s Explore the Old Town of Vilnius ”, “Vilnius in the Eyes of a Chemist“, “ Mysterious Vilnius“ and others.

Also, on 11 March, on the Cathedral Square, the residents of Vilnius and the guests of the city are invited to take advantage of the last unique opportunity – to personally congratulate Lithuania and to contribute to the campaign “AČIŪ” (“Thank you”) of the commemoration of the Independence Day Centennial initiated by the Government Office of the Republic of Lithuania and to take a picture at the Centennial Bell. You just need to come to the photocab specially equipped near the bell tower, take a photo and leave your wish or thanks to Lithuania, to rejoice and say “Thank you” to everyone who has contributed with their works to the success of Lithuania and to the way to success of each of us, or to thank the dear person and thus become the heroes of the centenary celebration. In this way, your greeting will be visible in the Centennial Bell and will become part of the centennial celebration. The project is partially financed by the Vilnius City Municipality, the Lithuanian Culture Council, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania.

At 1 p.m., the Holy Mas will take place at the Vilnius) Archcathedral basilica.

Ceremony of serving the sign of the Little Saint Christopher will take place at 3 p.m. at the Vilnius’ City Hall. Mayor of the capital Remigijus Šimašius will honor the twelve students of the capital who famed the city of Vilnius in the country and in the world the most by their academic, artistic and sporting achievements. The Little Saint Christophers will be given to schoolchildren for the third time.

At 3 p.m., in the Vilnius Energy and Technology Museum (Rinktinės str. 2), a one-day youth festival “Spring Fun” will begin, the participants of which will have free tours, various workshops, interesting games, meaningful discussions.

The youth festival “Spring Fun” with the sense of Freedom held for the first time will end with the colourful concert of various musical genres at 6 p.m.