Today – Baltic Unity Day!

22 September is Baltic Unity Day – a day that reminds us of the shared historical roots, linguistic kinship and cultural heritage of the Latvian and Lithuanian peoples.

The origins of Baltic Unity Day lie in the Battle of Saule, which took place on 22 September 1236. The combined forces of the Samogitians and Semigallians defeated the army of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword. This historic event has become a symbolic reference point highlighting the shared history of the two Baltic peoples and their ability to unite.

In 2000, 22 September was established as a commemorative day, following an agreement between the Saeima of Latvia and the Seimas of Lithuania to establish Baltic Unity Day. Since then, the day has been observed annually in Latvia and Lithuania, including through joint cultural events and traditions.

Baltic Unity Day in Aizkraukles Municipality

In 2025, Jaunjelgava became the venue for the joint Latvian-Lithuanian Baltic Unity Day celebrations, bringing together representatives of the parliaments, municipalities and cultural sectors of both countries, as well as numerous visitors.

This year, the joint Latvian-Lithuanian Baltic Unity Day celebrations are being held in Akmenė, Lithuania. Meanwhile, in Aizkraukles Municipality, a Baltic Unity Day event will take place today, 22 September, at 6:00 p.m. in Kriškalni, at the Tradīciju zāle in Aiviekste Parish. The programme will begin with a lecture, “The World of Baltic Women”, by Lilija Jakubenoka, curator of exhibitions and expositions at the Aizkraukle History and Art Museum. At 7:00 p.m., the women’s vocal ensemble “Dzirnas” will continue the celebrations with a musical programme.

The Gathering of Baltic Unity Fires

In honour of the celebration, people in Latvia and Lithuania are invited today, from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m., to light fires at hillforts and other places associated with Baltic history. This tradition can be seen as a symbolic gathering of light across distances – from one hill or hillfort to the next, recalling the shared historical space of the Baltic peoples.

This evening, we also invite you to become part of this shared gathering of fires – join one of the locations marked on the Baltic Unity Fires map, or light your own fire in honour of Baltic Unity Day.

See the map of fire locations: Baltic Unity Fires map

Please note the following when arranging a fire:

! At hillforts and other natural and cultural heritage sites, if there is no designated fire site, do not light a fire directly on the ground, as this may damage archaeological layers that are important for understanding and researching history.

! Please coordinate the event with the owners, managers, municipality or other responsible persons of the chosen location, especially if the site is a protected natural or cultural heritage site.

! Make sure that all fire-safety requirements are observed.

May the fires shine brightly on Baltic Unity Day, and may the light of fire unite us!

Photo: Baltic Unity Day celebrations in Jaunjelgava, 20 September 2025. Kārlis Ieviņš, Aizkraukles Municipality.

Information prepared by the Aizkraukle Tourism Information Point, 4 Lāčplēša Street, Aizkraukle.