Protesters across the country called for the defense of culture, democracy and freedom of speech following the ruling coalition’s decision to hand over the Ministry of Culture at the dawn of the Nemunas Party.
The controversial party is led by MP Remigijus Zemaitaitis, who is currently facing trial, accused of anti-Semitism and denial of the Holocaust. Zemaitis also questioned Lithuania’s support for Ukraine and criticised the rise in domestic defence spending.
Cultural organisations, including cultural protest rallies, warn that handing over the ministry to Nemnus Dawn threatens freedom of expression, media independence and the country’s core democratic values.
In Kaunas, the second largest city in Lithuania, he recited, “We will not allow Russian populists to take culture hostage.”
The protest took place in several Lithuanian cities, but participants organized a moment of joint unity at 2pm. This work was adopted as an unofficial national anthem of movement and a “sad signal.”
A manifesto entitled “This could be the last time” was also read out during the demonstration, saying, “This could be the last time culture remains our common language.”
Zemaitaisys criticized the protesters and called them “loud” in a Facebook post. “People of culture came to a meeting without culture! We found out that only loudmouth can create culture and art,” he writes. He added, “The real artists continue to make art, and only scream people who have nothing to do with culture and have a loud voice.”
Organizers said Sunday’s protest was a warning and that they plan to take further action if the government does not retreat from the decision.