The scars of the Soviet occupation
There is also a very strong attachment to their country and to folklore, which can be explained in large part by this destiny, which was torn apart in the course of history and the USSR's desire to destroy all roots. It should also be remembered that the fifty years of Soviet occupation have sclerotised, muzzled and darkened the minds of Lithuanians.
Habits inherited from the past system are still present in people's minds - especially among the last two generations, i.e. the 30-70 year olds who only knew this period of their country's history - and even if everyone tries to forget this too long episode, it will still take years for the traces to disappear. Independence is recent and the future belongs mainly to the younger generations. However, for some years now, people seem to have found a smile and the desire to have fun, to go out... Because, even if the economic conditions are far from being satisfactory for all (there are the many left-behind by independence and the economic crisis now hitting the country), the heavy and pessimistic atmosphere of the Soviet era has disappeared. Only the Russian-speaking population remains less attached to the old regime than to the symbols and memories they convey, which sometimes leads to serious clashes, as in Estonia in 2007 following the removal of a bronze statue of a Red Army soldier.National Temperaments
The stereotype is that Lithuanians are an emotional, sometimes exalted people, compared to their northern neighbours. They also become easily irritated if you judge them too hastily. During the conflict for independence in the early 1990s, Lithuania gained worldwide fame and sympathy for its "David versus Goliath" duel with Moscow. Many saw Lithuania as the bravest of the former Soviet republics, the only one uniformly unwilling to bend its principles in the face of Russian threats. This endurance in the face of climate as well as adversity is reflected in the everyday character of the Lithuanian, with a palpable inertia in contacts with the population
Great military men, they fought against the powerful Teutonic order until its disappearance and extended Lithuania from the 15th century into an empire touching the shores of the Black Sea; it included large areas of the present Ukraine, Belarus and Russia. This great history leads some Lithuanian chiefs to act singularly as if they were still a great power
Finally, without falling into clichés, one could say that Lithuania is the most rural of the three Baltic countries. This agrarian past, stronger than that of its two neighbours, is even reflected in the big cities like Vilnius by a certain rusticity in behaviour and human interaction
More urban and international than its neighbours Tallinn and Vilnius, Rīga (the largest and most industrialised of the three capitals) has long been a port for foreign trade (since the time of the Hanseatic League), which has favoured its opening up to the world. The Latvians have nevertheless retained a character that is very much influenced by Scandinavian culture. Thus, they may seem very cold and distant even though they are living the most exciting moment of their lives. However, the same people can be found dancing with fantasy and crazy energy on the dance floor of the local club, without worrying about the appropriateness and rhythm of the tune. Reflecting their geographical position, Latvians oscillate surprisingly between fire and ice, in fact they are the liveliest people of the three republics and the most approachable by visitors. However, beware, one day they will leave without greeting you, and the next day they will welcome you with the effusiveness that one reserves for his best friend. To better understand these paradoxes, one must keep the history of the country in mind. Fresh independence has brought about a revival of the long-suppressed national identity and gives Latvians the pride of a young people who have joined the big league
With the improving economy and their entry into the European Union, Latvians have become more confident. But this new confidence is not accompanied by the same arrogance as in Estonia. Latvians are a little more easygoing and smile more easily and naturally than their neighbours. In his book, The Baltic Revolution, Anatol Lieven describes Latvians as follows: "Latvia is an indeterminate nation, straddling unsteadily between its two more decisive neighbours... Latvians consider themselves dreamers with good practical sense... They are regarded by other Balts as having the rare ability to believe two contradictory things at the same time..."
The character of Estonians has inevitably been shaped by the history of the country and the natural environment. If they are introverted and taciturn during the long, dark winters, the good days give them the inspiration for great song festivals. Estonians are known to be stubborn and tend not to be impressed by the first person who comes along. Ernest Hemingway wrote that in every port in the world you can find at least one Estonian; he was referring to the entrepreneurial spirit that drives this small people
Like the Lithuanians and Latvians, Estonians are very attached to the nature that surrounds them. Flowers are thus particularly present in everyday life. For a date or not, whether it is with his mother or his girlfriend, an Estonian will never fail to present himself with at least one flower. Flowers are always given in odd numbers and often wrapped in paper. Even between men, on the occasion of a birthday or a celebration, flowers will be welcomed. The streets of Estonian cities are dotted with numerous florists' stands, some of which are open 24/7. On1 September, the first day of school, children in their best clothes go to school with bouquets for their teachers.
Estonia, the ultra-connected
This is where Skype was invented and the telephone and cellular data network is excellent throughout the country. No wonder, since this is a very digitally oriented country
For example, every citizen has an electronic ID card, allowing access to the state's digital services. In 2018, almost 100% of public services were dematerialized
In the spring of 2020, when the health crisis broke out, the country was able to adapt quickly.
On March 13, 2020, the day after the state of emergency was announced, a citizen innovation platform was launched, Hack the Crises. It offered a "hackaton" - a 48-hour marathon of computer developers working on projects in collaborative mode. With more than 1,000 participants, five projects were rewarded
an interactive map giving figures on Covid in the country ;
a chatbot for information and answers to the most frequently asked questions about the virus;
a questionnaire for self-assessment of the risk of being infected;
a website for volunteers ready to help in hospitals if needed;
a platform for companies to lend each other manpower during this period.
Post-Covid initiatives
In Lithuania, artists have been innovative in responding to the pandemic. The city of Vilnius has donated 100 outdoor poster panels for 100 artists. In addition to creating an outdoor art gallery, the idea allows artists to sell their work. Many other artists have benefited from a virtual gallery to promote their work
As for music, again in Lithuania, many drive-in concerts took place. And no loudspeaker to broadcast the music, but a special radio frequency.
A "remembrance" tourism
In terms of tourism, the Baltic countries have developed a somewhat atypical form of memorial tourism: former prisons have become hotels, and former Soviet bases are now open. Called "prison tourism", many agencies are surfing on this trend and advertisements are flourishing, such as the one for Karosta, "the only military prison open to tourists in Europe".
LGBT rights
In these former Soviet countries, homosexuality has long been banned and considered an illness. If today many associations are fighting to advance LGBT rights, there is still a high level of homophobia
Kaliningrad being Russian, it is necessary to be vigilant for concerned travellers, LGBT rights are not respected and homophobia is very present. In February 2013, Kaliningrad passed a law banning "homosexual propaganda" to the entire population
Estonia became in October 2014 the first ex-Soviet republic to allow civil unions for same-sex couples, although in practice it is very complicated. The population accepts - overwhelmingly - homosexuality. But in the autumn of 2020, Interior Minister Mart Helme made openly homophobic remarks, urging homosexuals "to flee to Sweden". Fortunately, these remarks caused a real outcry and were strongly denounced by the president. He will be pushed to resign in November 2020.
In 2015, Rīga hosted Europride, becoming the first ex-Soviet country to hold the event. Since January 2019, Lithuania grants residence permits to foreign spouses of citizens in gay or lesbian couples. In December 2020, the Archbishop of Latvia called for a legal framework to be created for gay couples. The aim is to protect all couples and families
Gender equality
In the Baltic States, equality between men and women seems to be fairly respected, no doubt due to its Soviet past. "For women to be truly emancipated, for them to be truly equal to men, they must participate in common productive work and the private household must no longer exist", said Lenin.
In Lithuania, 57% of scientists and engineers are women and 53% in Latvia. On the other hand, even though Estonia has embarked on a process of parity, pay inequalities are around 25%, one of the highest rates in Europe
As for Kaliningrad, the Russian enclave, domestic violence has been decriminalised since 2017..
On a happier note, let's head for a small Estonian island, Kihnu. On the 16 km2 of the island is one of the last matriarchal societies in Europe. In 2008, the island was listed as a UNESCO intangible heritage site. Since the 19th century, the women take care of everything while the men go fishing at sea for months.