One of the things I want to focus on in Lithuania is its history and how it has affected its people, something that has also happened in Catalonia, and that kind of parallel strikes me as quite impressive. I thought I was going to a completely unknown country and would just have a “normal” trip, but no. Once you’re here and start asking about cultural and historical matters, most people would tell you something about the Russians, the Polish, or empires. Basically, Lithuanians have never really had peace without someone claiming certain territories based on heritage or history. They’ve lived in a constant, taboo-like struggle, one that is better left unspoken to avoid issues and that’s very similar to what happens in Barcelona and cities across Catalonia.
People here are fascinated by their culture, just like back home, but here there’s a complete sense of patriotism for Lithuania. On national holidays, you see everyone putting up their flags outside their homes to honor their homeland as a gesture of love and pride. Where I come from, that’s not so common because it could cause problems. But here, people do it with such affection and unity that it’s almost universally accepted, creating a deep sense of national pride.
It’s kind of funny because, on the surface, people here tend to be shy or quiet, but when it comes to political topics, they come together to defend what everyone believes in and loves. In Spain, something similar happens with Catalonia, a region that doesn’t feel comfortable where it is. It has its own language, culture, and way of being. Anyone visiting would probably think they’re in a different country but that’s not the case. The battle for independence over there has only brought problems, to the point where if you try to show your love through a flag or something, it might cause conflict and people try to avoid that.
When you ask someone if they love Catalonia, they respond in an odd or cautious way, because those conversations usually lead to tension. That’s the big difference and contrast with Lithuania. Here, something similar happened some years ago. They freed themselves from the Russians and declared their independence to the world. Now, they can talk about their country openly and with pride, and everyone is happy. Of course, there are always people who say otherwise, claiming that certain lands still belong to others. But Lithuanians don’t care — their response is to raise their flag, show their love for their homeland, and keep living their lives peacefully to the end.
These are things that could be learned in Catalonia to love their region and culture without fear of what others might say or what might happen. To keep fighting, because the love for their culture and language is something worthy of admiration. Because as the saying goes: “Eyes that don’t see, heart that doesn’t feel.”
