 |
Romas KalantaLithuanian dissident
Date of Birth: 22.02.1953
|
Content:
Lithuanian Dissident
Lithuanian dissident Romas Kalanta gained notoriety for his act of self-immolation. A student at an evening school for young workers, Kalanta set himself on fire in protest against the Russification and Soviet occupation of Lithuania. With the cry "Freedom to Lithuania!" he immolated himself near the fountain in front of the Music Theater, a popular gathering place for young people. In his notebook, he left a note that read: "Only the regime is to blame for my death."
Suppression of Protests
The KGB conducted Kalanta's funeral on May 18, two hours earlier than planned, to avoid a large crowd. However, a group of young people gathered outside his home and marched to the city's central street, Liberty Avenue. The protests of May 18-19 involved over three thousand people, mostly youths. The authorities responded with force, using militia, soldiers, and volunteer vigilantes. Protesters were beaten, detained, and arrested. Some were forcibly shaved and exiled from the city.
Aftermath
A total of 402 people were arrested, 33 of whom were charged with administrative offenses. Six were convicted as hooligans and anti-social elements. The official autopsy declared Kalanta mentally ill. For eight years, his parents were denied permission to place a headstone on his grave at Romainių cemetery (it was finally erected in 1982).
Legacy
Tautvydas Mykolas has written several books about Kalanta, and a documentary film titled "Children of the Fountain" (1990) was made. On July 5, 2000, Kalanta was posthumously awarded the Order of the Cross of Vytis, First Degree. On May 14, 2002, a monument called "Field of Sacrifice" was unveiled at the site of his self-immolation, with President Valdas Adamkus in attendance.
