Rasa Ardys-Juška

A Tribute to the Voice for Lithuania

Rasa Ardys-Juška is the editor of Bridges.

Dr. Vincas Kudirka

For 100 years Lithuanians have expressed their sentiments and heartfelt feelings for their native country every time they sang their nation’s anthem. In turn, they also echoed the words that Dr. Vincas Kudirka used to reveal the love he felt for his nation and the desire to win freedom. November 1999 marks the year of the death of Dr. Vincas Kudirka, author and editor, and the first time Lithuania's national anthem was introduced in public as a song.

Kudirka was described as a man of strong wills, a clear mind, and a tender heart. He was born on a farm in Pežeriai, Vilkaviškio Township to an intelligent, disciplinarian father and a quiet, creative mother on December 31st, 1858. In his writings, Kudirka talks of his mother as one who introduced her children to beautiful songs, the art of Easter egg decorating, and folk storytelling. Her artful way of introducing the beauty of Lithuanian culture allowed Vincas to become more attracted and open to learning about Lithuania. But it was not so during Kudirka's student years.

Polish-speaking teachers were the primary educators in Lithuania during this time period. Thus, the more educated, more elite, spoke Polish, rather than the "lowly peasant Lithuanian." Kudirka fell under this spell as well. Kudirka's schooling took him from his father's farm to eventually Warsaw University in 1881.

Unfortunately for him, Kudirka's talents with scriptwriting earned him a trip to jail and blacklisting from any University. He had been asked by friends to copy a banned book. A spy turned the group in even though Kudirka's work had been purely as a copier rather than as a subversive. After serving several months, he was released. Yet this stay weakened him physically. It was not until 1885, that he had a unique opportunity to "hop" into the passing carriage of Czar Aleksander III with humble appeals, was he allowed to re-enter Warsaw University and graduate as a medical doctor.

Kudirka set up a humble office in Šakiai in 1889. It was here that he was diagnosed with tuberculosis. He had to abandon his medical practice, and physical rest and rehabilitation consumed his days. These were the days, which opened his eyes and heart to his heritage and Lithuania's political condition, and allowed him to produce his best literary works.

From 1889 to 1899, Kudirka worked untiringly as editor of Varpas (The Bell); a liberal leaning literary, political, educational monthly newspaper initiated and published by Warsaw's Lithuanian association "Lietuvos". He had been called the "true soul" of the newspaper. The first publication was in January 1889. Kudirka added his editorials, satire, and poetry to the newspaper, spurring thoughts about nationalism, Russia's treatment of Lithuanians, censorship of Lithuanian books and press, and the risks of following the footsteps of your own oppressors.

How Kudirka's "National Hymn" became Lithuania's National Anthem came about by way of St. Petersburg, Russia -- home not only to Lithuania's oppressors but also to a large number of Lithuanians. Kudirka's poem first appeared in an 1898 edition of Varpas. Even though Kudirka had not been trained musically, he had also written the melody for the "Hymn". Its strength and great expression of love for country stood out so prominently that it was included among other choral pieces at a concert under the direction of composer Česlovas Sasnauskas on November 13th, 1899 in St. Petersburg, shortly before Kudirka's death on November 16th. After the performance, intellectuals were already calling the "Hymn" Lithuania's "National Anthem". The "Hymn" was first performed in Vilnius, Lithuania on the eve of the Great Council of Lithuania on December 3rd, 1905. When Lithuania became independent, the "National Hymn" was officially proclaimed the National Anthem in 1919. Later, the title was changed to the first three words of the first verse: "Lietuva, Tėvyne Mūsų". (Lithuania, Our Homeland).

One hundred years later, the Lithuanian–American Community sponsored lecturer dr. Irena Slavinskaitė and actress Virginija Kochanskytė to travel to 12 different chapters and appear at their commemorations to remember Dr. Kudirka’s life and death, and contributions to Lithuania. Events began on October 3rd in Chicago, with the last performance on November 7th , 1999 in Detroit

Reading the Lithuanian National Anthem in its English-language version, the words may not rhyme and the rhythm of the stanzas are lost; yet, one can feel the emotion with which these lines were written by a most worthy, venerable, and dedicated Lithuanian patriot, Dr. Vincas Kudirka.

Let the sun banish all darkness from Lithuania,
With light and truth always guiding our steps.
Let the love of Lithuania burn in our hearts
And for the sake of our country, let unity blossom.