To Old Friends and New

What a day!  Our friends from LSMU in Kaunas woke up early to pick us up in Vilnius.  After some embracing and a very warm reception, we headed off by bus to Kaunas.  The students all became fast friends, and the teachers relished in discussing our practice and cultures.  We snacked on the bus with some fresh picked Lithuanian strawberries - the absolute juiciest fruit I have ever eaten.  Delicious!  We soon arrived to the outdoor ethnographic museum at Rumsiskes for a special remembrance.  This weekend every year, Lithuanians remember those lost to the Soviet years.  A group of survivors from the Siberian deportations, more specifically to the Laptev Sea above the Arctic Circle, convene each year here at Rumsiskes to remember those who perished and were never found.  It was a stunning experience to say the least.

The group at Rumsiskes

At Rumsiskes is a recreation of a mud hut that would have been occupied by the deportees.  Volunteering at this site is Irena, a beautiful person who was a major inspiration for the main character in BSOG.  Her energy and zest for life are truly inspirational.

Our guide and friend Linas, and Irena outside the mud hut

Soon after our warm greeting and lesson from Irena, a ceremony was held remembering all those lost in the deportations; we were blessed to attend.  Along with several deportation survivors and 200-300 audience members, there was a Lithuanian-American army general, a member of Lithuanian Parliament, and a camera crew from the Lithuanian national news.  Our own Emmett Russell gave a stirring speech about our group's purpose and what we truly seek in our studies and experiences in Lithuania.  Many were moved to tears as Emmett spoke of what we have done, and more importantly what we will do.  I have never been more proud to be a Nashvillian and a teacher and alumnus of MBA.  Afterwards, Emmett received a wreath of oak leaves, which is an award and symbol of great honor in Lithuanian custom.  Lastly, he was even interviewed on the national news!  Both humble and inspiring, Emmett is a true servant.

A proud moment for all of us.  Bravo, Emmett!  Well deserved.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, we all hungrily scarfed down some traditional Lithuanian food at lunch nearby.  Many of us sampled cepelinai, the national dish of Lithuania.  It is a large potato dumpling stuffed with minced pork and doused with a creamy sauce.  Yum!

Zeppelins!

To end the afternoon, we toured another powerful site, the Ninth Fort.  This location has served as a Russian defensive fort, a Lithuanian prison, a Nazi execution sight, and a Soviet prison.  Touring its dank and intimidating cells and tunnels was both eerie and gripping.  Outside the fort, at the sight where the Nazis murdered around 50,000 people is a one of a kind memorial.  Both very tall and emotionally evocative, it is something not to be forgotten.

The group beneath the monument at the Ninth Fort

A truly unique and remarkable memorial

After a whirlwind of emotions, this has been an exhausting but incredibly rewarding day.  We cannot wait for what our Lithuanian friends have in store for us tomorrow.  Good night.