From the struggle for freedom to a culture of liberty: philosophical reflections on the Lithuanian experience of the liberation movement

ENThis paper discusses the liberation process of Lithuanian society that led to the restoration of independence in 1991, followed by three decades of integration into Western democratic liberal economies. It focuses on the predominant emotional responses and experiences of Lithuanian society as it faced historical choices – such as participating in the constitutional referendum of 1992 – which initiated the transformation of its economy and society, and strategically redefined the very idea of freedom. Consequently, the negative notion of freedom as liberation from the oppressive USSR regime was transformed into a positive concept: the freedom to build a civil society, where universal human rights are protected. This multifaceted interpretation of freedom aligned with the diverse motivations for seeking independence. While part of Lithuanian society viewed independence as the realization of historical justice, others – presumably non-Lithuanian members of society – were more motivated by the future possibilities offered by a democratic society, open borders, and a liberal economy. In this context, the paper raises the question of a possible symbolic future vision for Eastern Europe and argues that the Lithuanian experience of the liberation process can serve as an argument in favor of preserving democratic values when facing contemporary geopolitical challenges. Keywords: Eastern Europe, Lithuania, Sąjūdis, liberation movement, freedom, democracy.

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