Labas, dear community members!
The celebration on May 7 in Lithuania is called "Spaudos atgavimo, kalbos ir knygos diena," which translates to the Day of the Restoration of the Press, Language, and Book. This day is significant in Lithuanian history and culture as it commemorates the restoration of the Lithuanian press after a long ban during the period of the Russian Empire.
From 1864 to 1904, a ban was imposed on the Lithuanian press. Lithuanian books and newspapers were prohibited from being printed in the Latin alphabet; instead, the Cyrillic alphabet was enforced. This period forced Lithuanian book smugglers to illegally transport books and periodicals in the Lithuanian language across the border, particularly from East Prussia.
The ban was eventually lifted on May 7, 1904, and this date has since been celebrated in Lithuania as a symbol of the resilience and survival of Lithuanian culture and language. The day serves as a reminder of the importance of free expression and the role of the press in society.
Karolina, OLS Community Manger – Lithuanian