Did any Reddit users participate in the 1989 Baltic way? Where were you at the time and how was the atmosphere?

Did any Reddit users participate in the 1989 Baltic way? Where were you at the time and how was the atmosphere? from latvia

18 comments

  2. I did. A was still a kid back then, 6yo, one of my most memorable childhood memories. My family was standing somewhere between Riga and Sigulda, I remember a lot of people, the inexplicable feeling of being part of something grand, and a lot of cars on our way back home (it was dark already on our way back, all I could see was like millions of car lights in front of us and behind us – a sight I haven’t experienced ever since).

  5. My wife did, she was inside a stroller as a baby, pushed around byher parents as a queen. If anyone wants to know her impressions of the Baltic Way, when she gets from work, can do an AmA about it.

  6. my mom did, i thinks she was around 20 years old. she has told me much about but i cant recall on the moment, just that it was like a powerful movement. everyone there, holding hands and that it was so awfully tiring and exhausting standing there for so long. i get emotional typing it even tho i was literally born in late 2000’s ☝️

  7. I was a kid, but I remember getting on a bus with my parents to get to the designated area for our group. Then there was a lot of standing around. Don’t remember much, but I am happy I got to participate. My parents also went to the barricades in Riga.

  8. I was there, but I probably couldn’t understand the reason. I was just 6 years old. I do remember the removal of Lenin monument more clearly though which was two years later. I remember it took pretty long to remove it.

  11. My whole family was there. I was an adult btw. Somewhere between Riga and Lithuanian border, I think it was around Iecava. Lots of people, were standing shoulder by shoulder, could have planned better and sent some to more scarce places where people used flags to help join hands. Our flag was on a flagpole. Wasn’t long, I remember wondering if this is it when somebody got the radio on and we knew exact moment when to join hands. There were some short speeches, music (national anthems likely). I have some photos but it’s difficult to find myself there or family members, the prints are small and the line long. I can recognise myself only by the clothes I had then. Weather was really nice, everybody friendly in a matter of factly way.

  13. my mom did! she was only around 6 years old. i’ve heard so so much about it and it is one of my favourite things to have learnt about :,)

  14. I was 6yo and it was quite incredible. Every person from my family was there, I still remember the drive and then that I was supposed to give a hand to someone I didn’t knew. It did felt like something important happened.

  16. I did. We drove from Tallinn until there was an empty area, stood there. Some cars drove past us filming and yelling of awesomeness of it all. Then we dissipated. Was impressive for the child I was.

  17. I did. We went from Daugavpils to Rīga by car through Lithuania (it made sense at that time because of the condition of the roads). We stopped in a couple of places along the road, stood with other people.
    There were fireplaces. There were also people who put fake police lights on their cars to get quicker ahead (practice still alive in Russia). I remember that people were very worried whenever Milicija cars were driving by, but nothing happened.
    Most memorable moment was that we drove a car by Freedom monument. Yes – right by it, it was possible at the time.

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