The Baltic Way that moved the world: photo exhibition
20 – 22 November; 26 November – 8 December, 2009. An exhibition of 40 photographs taken on 23rd August 1989 when more than a million people joined hands to create a continuous human chain that extended for 600 km and linked the three Baltic capitals of Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius, will be on show in Welsh Centre for International Affairs in Cardiff (from 20th to 22nd) and in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in London (from 26th November to 8th December). The exhibition has been prepared by the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On 23 August 1939 foreign ministers of the USSR and Germany - Vyacheslav Molotov and Joachim von Ribbentrop, as ordered by their superiors Stalin and Hitler, signed a treaty which affected the fate of Europe and the entire world. This pact, and the secret clauses it contained, divided the spheres of influence of the USSR and Germany and led to World War II, and to the occupation of the three Baltic States - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
50 years later, on 23 August 1989, the three nations living by the Baltic Sea surprised the world by taking hold of each other's hands and jointly demanding recognition of the secret clauses in the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact and the re-establishment of the independence of the Baltic States. More than a million people joined hands to create a long human chain that extended for 600 km and linked the three Baltic capitals of Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius.
The Baltic Way brought important changes to the history of the world. This was achieved through social unity and through the joint commitment and confidence manifested by every individual in pursuing the common goal.
The Baltic Way was a phenomenon which showed how three small countries - the Baltic States, regardless of their unique individual national characteristics, created a cross-cultural spiritual synergy both internally and between the Baltic States in the name of a common goal - to overcome the consequences of World War II and to destroy the totalitarian regimes. The Baltic Way is a historic symbol that is alive in the collective memory, enriching the understanding of the sense and values of solidarity and freedom of expression
The exhibition The Baltic Way that Moved the World was developed, involving all the photographers who documented the Baltic Way campaign.
The exposition features 40 photographs and photo collages which testifies to the intensity of historical and emotional information. Each photograph is a whole story about destinies of nations and people, about our collective memory and historical consciousness.
Curator: Ilmārs Znotiņš, Photojournalist
