Project summary

Beginning of project: October 1^st of 2019 (18 months)

Lead partner: Open Lithuania Foundation (OLF) (non-governmental organization promoting progressive change towards an open society through joining forces and executing advocacy initiatives, visibility campaigns, joint projects, monitoring and training programs).

Partners: Res Publica Foundation (a Warsaw-based publishing house and a think-tank focused on Central European region – ideas and values, politics, innovation and culture) and the Jan Nowak-Jezioranski College of Eastern Europe in Wroclaw (KEW) (an NGO specializing in international politics, culture and society).

Background/project goal and aims: The democratic revolutions and the following democratic transition in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), the “Autumn of Nations” erupted despite the constrains for active citizenship by the oppressive regime. They emerged as bottom up movements, balancing between the active citizen and the forms of civil disobedience. With democratic rule facing new challenges, including disintegration of active citizenship, internal hostility, open assaults on rule of law and democracy, with digital age presenting unique challenges for active citizenship, this project aims to commemorate the democratic revolutions.

The key goal of this project is to commemorate the legacy of the democratic revolutions in Central and Eastern Europe, by re-evaluating various forms of active citizenship, reflecting critically of their relevance to contemporary Europe, reimagining the forms for a meaningful political involvement in the digital age.

The project aims to (1) commemorate the democratic revolutions and facilitate cross-country, regional learning from diverse democratic revolutions in the context of current democratic decline; (2) critically and accurately reflect on democratic transition in the region to counter non critical, misinformed use of history; (3) draw lessons from the democratic revolutions, its intellectual heritage for active citizenship in digital age.

The activities and scope: Through diverse type of activities (study visits, international public debates, non-formal education) and targeted yet wide dissemination of results the project will propose meaningful political participation through learning from the democratic revolutions in digital age.

Implemented by 3 partners covering 4 countries (Lithuania, Poland, Latvia and Hungary) with wide regional reach to European countries (extending the scope up to 7 countries through international events). The project will create synergy through wide partnership of cultural/political journals, civil society organizations, think-tanks and academics, involving up to 250 -330 people directly, including young people. Indirectly through digital and print platforms with wide regional reach it will reach 30 000 people.

Activities are separated into 4 work packages:

Workpackage 1: PREPARATION AND BUILDING CONSORTIUM ACROSS THE CENTRAL AND EASTERND EUROPE (November 2019)

lt includes a kick off meeting, brainstorming on the legacy of democratic revolutions. The meeting will be aimed at detailed planning of the project activities, aliening it to the work partners and the events related to commemoration of democratic revolution memories in countries. This is of crucial importance in order to find a common ground for evaluation of varied process of democratic transition and its success across the focus countries.

Workpackage 2:  PUBLIC DEBATE FOLLOWED BY 4 STUDY VISITS/REFLECTION AND LEARNING (November 2019- May 2020)

The project will be launched following the partners meeting at public event focusing on 1989 and following democratic transition (in Vilnius, Lithuania) in order to generate the public awareness and interest in the project. Further, study tours covering 4 countries will be concluded (Poland and Lithuania+Hungary and Latvia). They will consist of wide consultations with various stakeholders (NGOs, think-tanks, civil society groups, academics, participants of the democratic movements, 25 participants in each study tour) to experience and evaluate experiences on the state of memory about the democratic revolutions, their relevance for current political discourse, as well as contemplate the differences and similarities faces by active citizenship during the revolutions/transition. During this phrase we will gather critical reflections on the democratic revolutions and transition in CEE.

Workpackage 3: INTERNATIONAL EVENTS (SUMMER SCHOOL AND CONFERENCE). (June – October, 2020)

One summer school (in Poland) organized for youth, contemplating the past forms of active citizenships and the paths for civil engagement and resilience towards the manipulation of memory organized for representatives from 4-6 countries (25 people in total). An international conference organized in the last quarter of 2020 reflecting on the past and contemplating the ways towards active citizenship today (it will include participants from 7 countries, 51-75 people).

Workpackage 4: DISSEMINATION OF THE RESULTS (ongoing)

We will prepare special reports based on the study tours. Information also will be disseminated though social media and though partner websites. We will also prepare the special issue devoted to the memory of the democratic revolutions and their lessons on the platform of “New Eastern Europe”.

The European dimension will be sustained though transnational learning and sharing of ideas on democratic rule and active citizenship in Europe. Through actualized and problematized reflections on revolutions in the region, the project will offer a valuable perspective on democratic deficit and new ways for meaningful democratic participation.

Expected outcomes:

(1)  Inter-cultural dialogue through better understanding of diverse historical memory of democratic transition strengthened across at least 4 countries of Central and Europe Europe (25-50 representatives of various fields, including civil society, youth organizations, political think-tanks, academics, activists, etc per each country);

(2) The critical understanding of the past is promoted though open, transnational debate countering the missuses of the past for political gain and presented to European audiences across different countries, the resilience to propaganda misusing the memory of the revolutions increased as lessons in active citizenship and sustainability of the democratic rule across the European countries (general public across European countries, estimated 30 000 citizens in total).

(3) The lessons in democratization and active citizenship drawn, rethought and reapplied to democratic governance in Europe in the digital age (the representatives working on active citizenship and democratic politics in Central and Eastern Europe have better understanding on the forms of active citizenship, 25 young people are educated on paths to active citizenship).

Financial support: European Commission through Europe for Citizens Program

07.09 Friday

SUSTAINABLE LITHUANIA

16.30–17.30 “Lithuanian Cinema Reflecting the Spirit of the Century”

Black and white horse manes against a foggy backdrop. Austere farmers gazing at the rye field. On the other hand, you can also see dynamic Tarantino-style explosions on Lithuanian streets HD and straightforward eroticism in historical films.

Everyone from 1 to 100 years old can join the discussion with Rytis Zemkauskas, the author of the TV programme “The Snob Cinema”.

The discussion “Lithuanian Cinema Reflecting the Spirit of the Century” is dedicated to the development of Lithuanian cinema. Directors and film critics will discuss how Lithuanian films have changed. They will focus on themes, scripts, actors’ work, and audience’s sympathies. Is there a common denominator for the Lithuanian film? Is it possible to identify a Lithuanian director’s film which could be said to reflect all the hundred years of Lithuania?

Moderator:

Rytis Zemkauskas, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy (VMU), producer and host of TV shows, author of several publicist books, and one of the coordinators of the project “Kaunas – European Capital of Culture 2022”.

His public activities focus on issues related to Lithuania as a modern state and Lithuanian networks all over the world.

Discussants:

Giedrė Beinoriūtė, a film director, Associate Professor at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (LAMT), doctoral student of Art at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, member of the Lithuanian Cinematographers’ Union and the European Film Academy.

Rasa Paukštytė, a theatre and film critic, lecturer at LAMT and Vilnius Art Academy, editor of the site lfc.lt, and film reviewer of the daily “Verslo žinios”.

Audrius Juzėnas, film director of “Vilnius Ghetto”, “Ekskursantė” (“The Excursionist”), “Pelėdų kalnas” (“Owl Mountain”), screenwriter, producer.

OPEN LITHUANIA

18.00 – 19.00 Discussion about Lithuania after 100 years: Open, hollow, closed”

Is the idea of an open society today facing a crisis? Or is it cartooned only to create a closed, fear-conscious society in order to develop the mentality of a besieged fortress? What do we all mean by “an open society”? Doesn’t openness turn into hollowness when we are not able and fear to draw boundaries, protect our borders, our identity and traditions?

Moderator:

Donatas Puslys, Chief Editor of Bernardinai.lt, The Person of Tolerance in 2014, a political scientist and journalist. His professional interests include international politics, civic education and identity issues.

Discussants:

Povilas Aleksandravičius, a philosopher, Associate Professor at Mykolas Riomeris University. Areas of interest include the development of Lithuanian and European society, globalization, problems of contemporary human identity, Christian and other traditions of human spirituality.

Vladimiras Laučius, a journalist, political scientist, Chief Editor of the news portal LRT.lt. His publicist texts focus on political life, information space and socio-cultural phenomena; research areas include political philosophy and political communication.

Margarita Jankauskaitė, an expert at the Center for Equal Opportunities Development. She participates in national and European projects aiming to reduce discrimination, ensure equal opportunities and fight against violence against women.

SUSTAINABLE LITHUANIA

21.00 – 22.00 Satirical discussion “I Made up Lithuania: 100 years of image formation”

What is the real image of Lithuania, and is it possible to artificially form it? Why did most of the attempts to create a national image become a failure? What does each concept of “fictional Lithuania” say about real Lithuania? About all this and more – in a gentlemanly satirical debate.

Moderator:

Andrius Zimaitis, a lawyer, public figure and scriptwriter of “Laikykitės ten su Andriumi Tapinu” (“Hold on There with Andrius Tapinas”).

Paulius Gritėnas, a philosophy graduate, journalist and political commentator at 15min.lt., a baseball enthusiast.

Discussants:

Giedrius Savickas, a theatre, film and television actor, host of TV shows, a person with a wonderful sense of humour who is actively involved in public and civic activities.

08.09 Saturday

OPEN LITHUANIA

11.00 – 12.00 “Talks about the Lithuanian Literature Canon”

Is there a Canon of Lithuanian Literature today that talks about a common map of experiences, cultural or esthetical references? Or maybe it has become unnecessary in the 21st century? What is the relationship of our literary canon with world literature? Do we have to say something to ourselves in order to listen to the world?

Moderator:

Donatas Puslys, Chief Editor of Bernardinai.lt, The Person of Tolerance in 2014, a political scientist and journalist. His professional interests include international politics, civic education and identity issues.

Discussants:

Vytautas Toleikis, a teacher, cultural and social activist and an essayist, who has initiated and carried out numerous cultural and educational projects dedicated to Roma, Jewish and other national minority cultures.

Dr. Jūratė Čerškutė, a literary scholar, who studies current Lithuanian prose and literary processes. She teaches contemporary Lithuanian literature and culture at the University of Warsaw and publishes book reviews.

Elžbieta Banytė, a doctoral student at the Institute of Lithuanian Literature and Folklore, literary critic, translator and a former teacher. She is interested in literary criticism and its tradition, the changing reception of classical literature, and issues related to education and science. She translates mainly from Modern Greek. She is one of the editors of the almanac “Poetry Spring” of 2017 and 2018 and the volume “Reading Lithuania”, published to present Lithuania at the International Book Fair in London. She is also a member of the Classical Association since 2013.

OPEN LITHUANIA

17.30 – 18.30 “Civic Protest: Why do we Kneel when we have to Raise?”

Citizens’ power and the ability to legitimately protest against government decisions without experiencing unreasonable constraints, including persecution (both state and non-state) are necessary to ensure democracy. It is thus not accidental that authoritarian, dictatorial regimes or “controlled democracies” (i.e. autocracies) are most resistant to protests. Interestingly, especially in Lithuania (but also throughout Eastern Europe), despite very significant changes in the lives of older generations, people have protested very little during the last quarter. Why is there a lack of democratic, legitimate protests? What are the reasons for this: lack of tradition, lack of empowerment or national character? Who is responsible for this: the citizens themselves, or people who’ve long been in power both in the state and private capital sector? How to measure the effectiveness of protest and whether there were effective protests in Lithuania?

Moderator:

Justinas Žilinskas, a lawyer, Professor at Mykolas Riomeris University, a publicist, writer and blogger.

Discussants:

Prof. Dr. Ainė Ramonaitė, a political scientist and Professor at Vilnius University Institute of International Relations and Political Science. Research interests include civil society, political participation, studies of political parties, political behaviour, political culture and electoral behaviour.

Algirdas Davidavičius, an expert at Vilnius Institute of Political Analysis, lecturer at VMU. Consultant for issues related to critical thinking, social-economic inequalities, economic and participatory democracy. His research deals with ways of strengthening participatory democracy and monitoring anti-democratic factors in Lithuania.

Justas Korsakovas, a sociologist and an anthropologist. He studies social movements and participates in them. Member of the informal Solidarity Network “Life is too expensive”, which is acting against the new Labour Code and supports the self-organization among employees.

On 22 March 2018, the National Equality and Diversity Awards were solemnly presented at the Royal Palace. The Commission and the people who voted on the Internet rated best those individuals, organizations and initiatives who worked in the area of human rights in 2017.

Equal Opportunities Controller Agneta Skardžiuvienė believes that the nominated people are the pride of Lithuania. “It is their work that makes our daily lives more democratic. And no, this democracy does not arise by itself: it requires a lot of work, courage, mental and financial resources, not to mention strong will, which the nominees definitely do not lack,” ascertained she.

People and their projects were ranked in eight categories:
The annual Breakthrough Award was presented to Erika Račkytė. She was one of the first to talk about sexual harassment. The actress turned to law enforcement, and the director who violated her rights was dismissed. By wearing black, the ceremony guests expressed their support for the #MeToo movement and the women who were victims of sexual harassment.

The Gender Equality Award was presented to the Network of Specialist Aid Centres. The specialists of these organizations provide legal and psychological assistance to victims of violence in the immediate environment. Last year, around 12,000 people received their help.

Henrika Varnienė, Director of the Lithuanian Forum of the Disabled, was presented with the Award for Overcoming Obstacles. She was awarded for her contribution to the discussion on the change of the employment system for people with disabilities, and the dialogue with the Ministry of Health regarding the poor quality of compensated means of medical treatment.

Vytautas Raskevičius, Human Rights Policy Coordinator of the LGBT Rights Association, received the Rainbow Award. The activist won the laureate for his consistent work in representing trans-gender individuals and in improving the practice of Lithuanian courts in changing identity documents.

The Open Society Citizen Award was presented to journalists from the Širvintos regional newspaper “Širvis”. Regardless of the hostility of local authorities, Andželika Bagočiūnienė, Janina Pukienė and Valda Patinskienė created and supported an independent information space by giving the floor to those who would otherwise have remained voiceless.

Gita Mickevičiūtė and her project “Senelių darželis” received the award “The Best Age is my Age”. This day care centre established in Alytus reduces the exclusion of hard-moving and thus isolated old people by involving them in social, creative and cognitive activities.

The Polish Dialogue Club was awarded with the National Dialogue Award. It is an independent organization of Poles living in Lithuania, organizing public discussions and fostering a politically independent dialogue between the Poles and Lithuanians.

Erikas Rutkauskas, a servant of the Jehovah’s Witnesses Community, received the award for the diversity of religions and beliefs. He defended the principle of religious freedom by legal means. The question raised by him was also analysed by the Constitutional Court, which concluded that the clergy of all religious communities should be treated equally in the Law on Military Obligations.
After the ceremony, the exhibition “Faces of Diversity” was opened in the lobby of the Royal Palace, which presents pictures where amateur and professional photographers have captured daily lives of various people and their unique moments. Later, this exposition will be shown in 35 Lithuanian municipalities.

The National Equity and Diversity Awards are organized by the Office of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson together with the National Forum on Equality and Diversity. This year, the Open Lithuania Foundation, the British Council in Lithuania, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway and the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania also contributed to the organization of the prizes.