Official Opening of the New Lecture Room Called the Baltic Way

The Baltic Defence College graduation day saw the official opening of the new lecture room called the Baltic Way. The College Commandant Major General Vitalijus Vaikšnoras had the honour to host the distinguished quests Mr Sven Mikser, Estonian Minister of Defence; Mr Raimonds Vejonis, Latvian Minister of Defence and Mr Tomas Gražiūnas, Chancellor of Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence who later joined him at the Graduation Ceremony of Higher Command Staff Course, Joint Command and General Staff Course and Civil Servants Course. 

It has been a custom here at the Baltic Defence College that we name our class and syndicate rooms by the persons or events which have played a significant role in the history of the Baltic States or the Baltic Defence College itself.  

The Baltic Way or Baltic Chain, also known as a Chain of Freedom, was a peaceful political demonstration where around two million people joined their hands for freedom, forming a human chain across the three Baltic States connecting the three capitals – Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn. The protest drew global attention by demonstrating a popular desire for reindependence for each of the Baltic States and their solidarity in defiance of the illegal Soviet occupation. The emotionally captivating and visually stunning scene told the world that Baltic independence was not merely a political issue, but a matter of moral importance.

The Commandant believes that naming a room by this historical event denotes the unity of Baltic States and their successful cooperation here at the Baltic Defence College as the College itself is a unique example of strong and continuing partnership between the Baltic States.

In his speech Mr Mikser described the Baltic Way as one of the milestones that led Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania into effective defence cooperation, the Baltic Defence College being one of the outstanding results of this multilateral effort.

The wall painting portraying a scene of the Baltic Way was created by Mrs Kamille Saabre.