Leading Lithuanian filmmakers have voiced their protest against the participation of the nationalist party Nemno Ausula in the country’s coalition government.
More than 30 Lithuanian filmmakers hosted a film festival on Sunday, October 5, showing their films and holding discussions in towns across the country.
Participants included Vytautas Katukas, who co-received the Best Director award at this year’s Karlovy Vary Film Festival. visitor;Mariya Kavtaradze wins Best Director Award at Sundance 2023 slow; Laurinas Barresa, winner of the Best Picture Award for 2022 Horizon of Venice pilgrim Winner of Best Director Award at Locarno 2024 drowning dry.
The directors are part of a group called the Lithuanian Parliament of Culture Initiative Group, which issued a statement in early October protesting “Nemno Ausula” (translation: Dawn of Nemunas), named after the Nemunas River in Lithuania.
“Lithuanian culture is at risk!” the statement said. “We, members of the Lithuanian cultural community, including artists, academics and cultural activists, are writing this letter to draw your attention to alarming developments in the political and cultural life of our country that threaten European democratic values, minority rights, freedom of expression and cultural autonomy. We respectfully request your attention, expertise and possible public support.”
The statement added that Nemno-Ausra “adopts nationalist, Eurosceptic, and anti-Semitic rhetoric that undermines social trust, democratic values, and minority rights. Its increasing influence over cultural policy increases the risk of censorship, marginalization of minority voices, distortion of historical memory, deepening polarization, and growing Kremlin influence.”
The group has gathered more than 68,000 signatures on a petition promoting its cause and staged a protest in Lithuania on September 25th ahead of a nationwide event on October 5th.
Those wishing to participate were asked to share the slogan “Culture in Crisis” on social media networks and other platforms.
Resignation
The group’s efforts appear to be paying off ahead of the October 5 event, as Culture Minister Ignos Admavicius resigned on Friday, October 3, after just a week in office.
In an interview with the news publication Litas, Admavicius refused to answer questions about Lithuania’s support for Ukraine or the situation in the Crimea region. The minister is appointed by the Nemno Ausula party, which is the minority partner in the Lithuanian government and appoints two of the 15 government roles.
Earlier on Friday, October 3, Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said she expected Admoavisius’ resignation to be imminent. And she said she was prepared to fire him if he did not resign. Luginien said Nemno Ausula would remain part of the coalition government and would be able to nominate a replacement culture minister.
That process is ongoing. Nemno Ausula leader Remigijus Zemaitaitis will propose candidates, but Luginien said he would be more actively involved in the appointment.
The Lithuanian Parliament of Culture Initiative demands that Nemno Ausula not be involved in the appointment of the Minister of Culture. Further supporters include leading Lithuanian producers Dagne Vilznaite and Marija Razgute. Andrius Blazevicius, Karlovy Vary 2021 title manager runner; and Vytautas Dambrauskas, head of the country’s National Film School.
“We call on civil society in Lithuania and across Europe to cooperate with us in defending these shared values,” the parliamentary statement said. “The events unfolding in Lithuania mirror those in Hungary, Slovakia and Georgia, where pro-Kremlin, anti-democratic forces have seized control of culture, media and communications in order to subjugate free societies. We are standing here now to prevent such an outcome.”
(Tag translation) Eastern Europe
