{"id":914,"date":"2023-11-14T18:30:20","date_gmt":"2023-11-14T17:30:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lithuanianstories.com\/en\/?p=914"},"modified":"2023-11-14T18:24:49","modified_gmt":"2023-11-14T17:24:49","slug":"zemaitis-and-resistance-vaitkevicius-everyone-can-defend-their-country","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lithuanianstories.com\/en\/2023\/11\/14\/zemaitis-and-resistance-vaitkevicius-everyone-can-defend-their-country\/","title":{"rendered":"\u017demaitis and Resistance, Vaitkevi\u010dius: everyone can defend their country"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Jonas \u017demaitis was a wise and authoritative commander<\/strong> who succeeded in uniting all those who were fighting against the Soviet occupation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Vykintas Vaitkevi\u010dius, archaeologist, historian and expert on Baltic culture<\/strong>, is convinced of this. He is a professor and researcher at the <strong>University of Klaip\u0117da,<\/strong> the third largest city in Lithuania.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We interviewed him as part of <strong>the \u017demaitis Project, dedicated to the Lithuanian partisan resistance.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>WATCH THE VIDEO<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\u017demaitis e Resistenza, Vaitkevic\u030cius: ognuno pu\u00f2 difendere il proprio paese ENG SUB\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-ioQWkE5tAo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Interview with Vykintas Vaitkevi\u010dius, Professor at Klaip\u0117da University<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The most important message to convey, according to Vaitkevi\u010dius, is that \u201c<strong>\u2026every fighter was a citizen, they were defenders<\/strong> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/fb.watch\/ojlJqq0Nbl\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">of their country<\/a><\/strong> and feeling responsible for the country, they did what they thought was the best. This is how each of us should act in such a situation\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In today&#8217;s society it is important that <strong>every citizen is aware of how important their actions<\/strong> can be <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/fb.watch\/ojlNPg5Msb\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">for their country.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis requires a breakthrough, and this breakthrough has not yet happened. It&#8217;s a shame. It is for this reason that <strong>fights for freedom are not fought only with weapons. But also, with conscience&#8221;.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>\u017demaitis, our mith<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The professor underlines <strong>the importance of \u017demaitis&#8217; strategic and human skills.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHe manages to do what no other commander accomplished before him. <strong>\u017demaitis&#8217; leadership united the partisans <\/strong>who had previously been lost in disagreements, arguments and ambitions&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To ensure that <strong>his figure becomes important in society it is necessary to create a myth.<\/strong> \u201c\u2026Myth is what is historical, what emerges, what is attractive, strong, and important. <strong>Myth provides us with current values\u201d,<\/strong> says Vaitkevi\u010dius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u017demaitis&#8217; path was aimed at <strong>the reunification of all fighters.<\/strong> He succeeded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite the discussions and the presence of an opposition, <strong>no one questioned his authority. He was the commander.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today <strong>he should be a source of inspiration<\/strong> \u201c\u2026For the way he thought, the way he worked wisely and the way he entrusted the burden and honor of command to others\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Being a commander doesn&#8217;t just mean knowing how to fight. <strong>Their abilities are above all linked to how to manage in the best way,<\/strong> and in difficult situations, all those who are under their command.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe point is not to fight, to shoot at enemies. <strong>The point is to agree everything with the fighters and act in unison.<\/strong> And that&#8217;s what \u017demaitis did\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Personality of \u017demaitis<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to his undoubted military and strategic abilities, <strong>Jonas \u017demaitis was also a very empathetic person<\/strong>, who loved his family which he had to abandon so as not to put them in danger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>His bond with his son Laimutis was very strong,<\/strong> so much so that he tried to see him three times. Even though this could have jeopardized not only himself, but also the people around him. For many years <strong>the son did not know that his father was the commander of the partisans.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201cHe was a personality of the highest level,<\/strong> especially when he became President of the Council for the Struggle for Freedom &#8211; continues Vaitkevi\u010dius &#8211; If everything had gone differently&#8230; <strong>\u017demaitis would have been Head of State and his companions would have become ministers<\/strong>. They would have been great statesmen\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lithuanianstories.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Vilnius-Antakalnis-cemetery-LithuanianStories-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-916\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lithuanianstories.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Vilnius-Antakalnis-cemetery-LithuanianStories-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.lithuanianstories.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Vilnius-Antakalnis-cemetery-LithuanianStories-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lithuanianstories.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Vilnius-Antakalnis-cemetery-LithuanianStories-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.lithuanianstories.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Vilnius-Antakalnis-cemetery-LithuanianStories-640x426.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.lithuanianstories.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Vilnius-Antakalnis-cemetery-LithuanianStories.jpg 1417w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The memory<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Vaitkevi\u010dius is working on the implementation of the Memory Program<\/strong> carried out by parliamentarian <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lithuanianstories.com\/en\/2023\/11\/12\/kuzmickiene-zemaitis-and-resistance-in-our-hearts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Paul\u0117 Kuzmickien\u0117.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The aim is to carry out <strong>a series of initiatives to enhance the figure of \u017demaitis and the resistance.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Among the proposals there is also <strong>the building of a cenotaph.<\/strong> A symbolic grave in the <strong>Antakalnis cemetery in Vilniu<\/strong>s, where Lithuania&#8217;s heads of state are buried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is also <strong>a need to dedicate streets, films and books<\/strong> to the Commander.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Several things should be done, because, says the professor \u201c\u2026It is very sad to have to admit that <strong>Jonas \u017demaitis is still little- known today\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u017demaitis project<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The interview is part of <strong>the project \u201cJonas \u017demaitis, commander of fighting Lithuania\u201d,<\/strong> created by the <strong>\u201cBaltika-Baltijos Istorijos\u201d Association and LithuanianStories<\/strong> to remember the figure of the commander, <strong>with the precious support of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lithuanianstories.com\/en\/2023\/09\/06\/jonas-zemaitis-the-commander-memories-of-his-niece-ausra\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Kotryna Buono and Ana Luisa Monse, \u017demaitis\u2019 great-grandchildren.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The initiative is partially financed by the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/kam.lt\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Lithuania.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The project involves <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lithuanianstories.com\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">a series of video interviews<\/a><\/strong> with figures from civil society in today Lithuania: <strong>historians, representatives of institutions, ordinary citizens,<\/strong> people who are interested in and pass on <strong>the memory of the partisan resistance against the Soviet occupation.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>WATCH THE VIDEO<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\u017demaitis e Resistenza, Vaitkevic\u030cius: ognuno pu\u00f2 difendere il proprio paese ENG SUB\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-ioQWkE5tAo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Interview with Vykintas Vaitkevi\u010dius, Professor at Klaip\u0117da University<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Jonas \u017demaitis was a wise and authoritative commander who succeeded in uniting all those who were fighting against the Soviet occupation. Vykintas Vaitkevi\u010dius, archaeologist, historian and expert on Baltic culture, is convinced of this. He is a professor and researcher<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":915,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[7,1],"tags":[186,182,13,147,184,15,41,200],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lithuanianstories.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/914"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lithuanianstories.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lithuanianstories.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lithuanianstories.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lithuanianstories.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=914"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.lithuanianstories.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/914\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":917,"href":"https:\/\/www.lithuanianstories.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/914\/revisions\/917"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lithuanianstories.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/915"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lithuanianstories.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=914"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lithuanianstories.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=914"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lithuanianstories.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=914"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}