An academic discussion on Kalanta and an exhibition reflecting the sentiments of the time will be opened in the Library-Museum of President Valdas Adamkus in Kaunas on Friday, with the main events scheduled in Kaunas on Monday, 14 May.
The events include a march with torches, a memorial hour in the garden in front of the Musical Theater, a jog from Kalanta's home to the garden, visits to Kalanta's grave in Romainių Cemetery and events in schools, museums, libraries, as well as concerts.
Vilnius will commemorate Kalanta's death at the Seimas on Tuesday.
On 14 May 1972, Kalanta, 19, poured three liters of gasoline on himself and set himself on fire in the square in front of Kaunas Musical Theatre. He exclaimed "Freedom for Lithuania" before lighting the match. According to official data, he died at 4 AM on 15 May.
After his funeral, young people in Kaunas held a protest demonstration, which was among the largest anti-Soviet disturbances in the Soviet Union at the time.
Despite the efforts of the Communist Party and the Soviet KGB to hold down the message, news about the disturbances in Lithuania spread in the West and among Soviet dissidents.
In 2000, Kalanta was awarded the 1st Degree Order of the Cross of the Vytis, a monument was unveiled at the site of the self-immolation in Kaunas in 2004. He was listed as participant of Lithuanian Freedom Fights in 2005.
2012 05 11
Lithuania marks 40 years since Romas Kalanta's self-immolation
A series of events to mark 40 years since self-immolation of Romas Kalanta for Lithuania's freedom is starting across the country on Friday.
Kalanta's deed ignited a series of mass protests in Kaunas / Eriko Ovčarenko / BNS nuotr.
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