On October 20, 2024, the JBANC team attended the 33rd annual Baltic Unity Day held at the Lakewood Estonian House in Jackson, New Jersey. Unity Day affirms the Baltic states’ historic common struggle for re-independence and celebrates the continued vibrancy of the Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian diaspora communities.
Baltic Unity Day this year commemorated the 80th Anniversary of the Mass Flight with stories presented by members of the Baltic diaspora including Anu Ojamaa, Viete Kudrotiene, and John Luck who all shared stories on the perseverance of their relatives during the beginning of Soviet occupation.
The event also featured remarks on the political strength and unity of the Baltic diaspora from the Consul of Estonia in Washington Tarmo Punnik, Consul General of Lithuania in New York Dovydas Špokauskas, and Director of Public Affairs of the American Latvian Association Dzintars Dzilna.
The JBANC team, represented by Lee Allen and Hindrek Pärg, presented the history of Baltic advocacy in helping to maintain the United States’ non-recognition policy of the Soviet occupation of the Baltic countries. In addition, the efforts of the diaspora community were highlighted in its support for the campaign for NATO membership for Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, finally achieved in 2004. Future opportunities for advocacy, including Baltic Advocacy Days in 2025, were another focal point of the JBANC presentation.
Attendees enjoyed music and dance performances from the Lithuanian school “Lietuvėlė,” Lakewood Estonian School folk dancers, Lithuanian folk-dance group “Aguona,” and Lithuanian piano students Rusne and Gustas.
Baltic Unity Day also paid tribute to the late Jānis Students, the long-time president of the Latvian Society of New Jersey, with a rendition of ‘Pūt vējiņi’ performed by Jānis Kristbergs on acoustic guitar.
Thank you to the Lakewood Estonian House and Helica DeShaw, President of the Lakewood Estonian Association for hosting this year’s event.
