And by doing so, the SBA Group has created a new Kaunas tradition – unleashing a record-sized 27m by 48m Tricolour flag on 6th July for Statehood Day and singing the national anthem with Lithuanians around the world.
“On 6th July, the national anthem’s words “Let unity blossom” [Vienybė težydi] have a symbolic meaning. Alongside Lithuanians united around the world, we send a message that we are free, and take pride in our county. This tradition of gathering in Vienybės Square near the Freedom Monument and War Museum, and singing the national anthem which unites us all, is something we are nurturing and are committed to continuing so that it becomes an inseparable part of city life. The positive responses we received from Kaunas residents, with many showing up last year for the occasion, also spurred us on to develop it,” says SBA Urban board chairman Lionginas Šepetys.
The massive Tricolour, which spans an area of three basketball courses, was unfolded across the business centre by the stunt team Vilkas, who have been filmed in movies alongside famous actors.
“This year, we were able to unfold the record-sized flag successfully and with more confidence. We successfully tested our technology for unfolding an almost 1,300 square-metre Tricolour across a 13-storey building last year, but despite this, there was some uncertainty over wind gusts and safety. However, we are glad that nature did not present us with any nasty surprises, and those gathered here were able to enjoy an impressive sight,” says stuntman Tomas Ereminas.
The thousands of Kaunas residents gathered at Vienybės Square beneath the Tricolour enjoyed a performance from the Military Airforce Quintet while they were accompanied in singing the national anthem by soloist Nomeda Vilkanauskaitė-Kukulskienė.
The record-sized Tricolour flag has a symbolic meaning having been sewn in the year 2000 when marking a decade of restored Lithuanian independence, and at the time, it was the largest flag in the country. On March 11, 2004, it became the largest flag raised by a hot air balloon in Lithuania, a record that still stands today.
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