Baltic Unity Day

Baltic Unity day or Balts' Unity Day (Lithuanian: Baltų vienybės diena, Latvian: Baltu vienības diena) is a commemorative day celebrated on September 22 in Lithuania and Latvia,[1] as well as Latvian and Lithuanian communities abroad.[2] It was recognized as such in 2000 by both the Seimas of Lithuania and Saeima of Latvia commemorating the 1236 Battle of Saule, where the joint pagan Samogitian and Semigallian forces decisively defeated the Livonian Brothers of the Sword.[1]

Baltic Unity Day
Baltic Unity Day celebration on the Castle Mound of Salduvė in Šiauliai
Observed byLithuania and Latvia
SignificanceThe joint pagan Samogitian and Semigallian forces decisively defeating the Livonian Brothers of the Sword at the 1236 Battle of Saule
CelebrationsConcerts, artisan fairs, art exhibitions, film screenings, sports competitions, workshops
DateSeptember 22
FrequencyAnnual

The day is marked with various events all over Latvia and Lithuania, with the main events taking place in one city on a rotating basis. The last of those cities have been Rokiškis (2015),[3] Liepāja (2016),[4] Palanga (2017),[5] and Jelgava (2018).[1] In 2017 a special "Balts' Award" was established to be awarded to individuals for the promotion of Latvian and Lithuanian languages, literature, and historic research.[6] In 2018 Latvian Lithuanian professor and linguist Laimute Balode became the first recipient of the prize.[7][8][9]

References
  1. "Latvians, Lithuanians remember victory over crusaders". Public Broadcasting of Latvia. September 22, 2018. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  2. "The annual Balts Unity Day on the Parliament Hill in Ottawa". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia. September 21, 2018. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  3. "Lithuania and Latvia celebrate Baltic Unity Day". Baltic News Network. September 19, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  4. "The Balts' Unity Day events to be held in Liepāja". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia. September 19, 2016. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  5. "Baltic Unity Day to be marked in Palanga". The Baltic Course. September 20, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  6. "Latvia, Lithuania to present new 'Balts award'". Public Broadcasting of Latvia. September 22, 2017. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  7. "The first Balts Award from the Latvian and Lithuanian Foreign Ministries goes to professor and linguist Laimute Balode". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia. October 3, 2016. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  8. "Linguist Balodė receives 1st Balts' Award in ceremony in Riga". Delfi. October 4, 2016. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  9. "Linguist Balode receives 1st Balts' Award in ceremony in Riga". The Baltic Course. October 4, 2016. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
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