Story_Linda Zalmane

  • August 23, 1989. Documentary inheritance of Baltic Way form important archives of documents which are constrained with this historic occasion. Major documents of Baltic Way Baltic states nominated for inclusion UNESCO “Memory of the world” international register. These documents now are kept in Estonian National archives, Latvian Popular Front museum and Lithuanian Centric state archives. Preparation for nomination production was started in 2005 when group of experts from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania started to consider chance of nomination preparation consulting with experts from Poland and Germany. Together created nomination of three Baltic states ( Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) “Baltic Way – chain of people from three countries with common interests about freedom” was hand in UNESCO on 30. March, 2008. UNESCO “Memory of the world” International council of experts on 30. July, 2009 in Bridgetown, Barbados decided to include nomination in  UNESCO program “Memory of the world” international register . Baltic Way was unique, calm mass demonstration which happened 23. August , 1989 when more then million people joined hands to make 600 km long chain of people through three Baltic states bringing together Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in aspiration of freedom. Demonstration celebrated 50. anniversary since in 1939 was signed Germany and the Soviet union non-aggression pact and secret supplementary protocols which evened out spheres of influence in East-Europa and droved to occupation and annexation of Baltic states. Sovereignty resumption idea of Baltic states became more stronger Mikhail Gorbachev began reforms results powerless soviet power repressive system. Molatov- Rebentrop pact come exposed 1988. 23. August capital cities of Baltic states Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn thousands of people come together protestation stocks. 1989 spring Soviet national deputy congress session all three Baltic states representatives ask for this contract and supplementary assessment to determine rule of law.   Was established commission of inquiry but its action was procrastinate. Wey of reform Soviet union offer little support national aspirations and democratic. In such mood three Baltic states movement: Popular front of Estonia Rahvarinne, Latvian popular front and Lithuania popular font- Sajudis organized mass people demonstration which happened 1989. 23 August. Baltic way was solidarity action which  attached big attention in all world.