March for life in Vilnius sparks renewed dialogue on family and values

The heart of the Lithuanian capital was filled with music, speeches and moving personal stories as thousands of people gathered for the event "Žygis už gyvybę"(March for Life), dedicated to celebrating the sanctity of life and raising awareness of the need to protect it. The march attracted participants from all over Lithuania, as well as supporters from neighboring countries, including Latvia, Estonia and Poland.

Held on Saturday, October 4, the event began in the early afternoon near the Martynas Mažvydas National Library, drawing a diverse crowd of families, students, activists, artists, and clergy. Promoted by a range of civil and religious organizations, the march focused on affirming the value of every human life. Religious figures outside of Lithuania showed their support to the initiative as well, most notably Catholic Archbishop Zbigņevs Stankevičs of Riga and Latvian Lutheran Bishop Rinalds Grants, both of whom expressed solidarity with the march’s aims. Auxiliary Bishop Saulius Bužauskas of Kaunas also participated in person for the event.

From 13:00 to 14:10, attendees gathered near the Lithuanian National Library for the event’s opening segment, where speakers shared insights from personal, medical, social, and philosophical perspectives. Among them, Dr. Lina Šulcienė highlighted the moral and spiritual need for a more compassionate society, stating: “The depths of our conscience cry out for a path other than the culture of death. Our inner humanity calls for a culture of life, one marked by solidarity, genuine compassion, and sensitivity to human beings, respecting their lives”.

Agnieszka Gracz, coordinator of the Marches for Life of "Centrum Życia i Rodziny"(Center for Life and Family) in Poland, also addressed the audience. The Warsaw-based organization has been advocating for the protection of life, family and parenthood for more than two decades. Gracz recalled that before the COVID-19 pandemic, the center helped organize an average of 150 marches a year in different Polish cities. He emphasized that these public demonstrations had been instrumental in promoting the protection of unborn children, especially those with disabilities who were previously vulnerable to discrimination, and stressed that the marches contributed to the public support that preceded the 2020 Polish Constitutional Tribunal ruling, which strengthened legal protection for children diagnosed with disabilities before birth.

At 14:15, the crowd set off in a peaceful procession from the National Library to Vilnius Cathedral Square via Gediminas Avenue, carrying banners and flags with messages of hope and support for families. From 15:00 to 17:30, the focus shifted to Cathedral Square, where a commemorative concert and a series of personal testimonies unfolded. Among the highlights was a national drawing contest for school students titled “Aš esu dovana” (“I Am a Gift”). More than 300 submissions were received from schoolchildren across the country. The winning artists were honoured on stage and presented with awards for their creative reflections on the value of life.

The musical program included performances by artists such as Milda Žukienė, Rugilė Daujotaitė, Živilė Petruilionienė, Živilė Višniauskienė and Augis Markauskas, and others including Voldemars Peterson, Dalia and Julius Vaicenavičiai and popular singer Sasha Song. Musical performances were accompanied by deeply moving personal stories by individuals whose lives have been shaped by issues surrounding life and family. International speakers from Latvia and Estonia also addressed the crowd, offering cultural and moral perspectives from across the Baltic region.

Amongst the speakers at Cathedral Square was lawyer and social activist Dr. Salomėja Fernandez Montojo who addressed prevailing societal attitudes toward parenthood, stating, “Today, I see how deeply rooted is the idea that having children means losing, losing money, time, career, opportunities, and a good figure. I disagree. Having children is not losing, but giving meaning to money, time, energy, opportunities, and beauty".

Markus Järvi, editor-in-chief of the Estonian media "Objektiiv"and one of the speakers, expressed appreciation for the Vilnius march and the hope that it would inspire similar initiatives in the Baltic States. In a later interview, he described the limited public debate on abortion in Estonia as a lingering consequence of the Soviet era, during which abortion was legal and widely practiced. Over time, its prevalence contributed to it becoming a social taboo. "Despite this, many Estonians value marriage and family life," he said. "We must break the social silence on this issue in order to have honest conversations about life." He added that both civil society and religious institutions have a role to play in encouraging a more open and thoughtful dialogue on this issue. In a message to young people, he stressed, "The sanctity of life and respect for it must be recognized as truth. Seek it and you will find it."

Dr. Benas Ulevičius, Dean of the Faculty of Catholic Theology at Vytautas Magnus University, spoke at the event and later in a brief backstage interview reflected on shifting societal values in post-Soviet Lithuania. “Lithuania during the Soviet occupation was quite isolated”, he said. “After winning independence, the nation went through gradual changes, with more foreign products available, higher salaries, and greater comfort". While acknowledging the benefits of economic growth, he noted that it led to people prioritising careers and wealth over family life and suggested that this shift left some with a sense of emptiness. He encouraged young adults to seek deeper fulfilment through family, which offers a unique kind of joy and happiness that material success alone cannot provide.

Parallel to the main program, the Cathedral Square hosted a family-oriented educational and creative zone from 11:00 am to 5:30 pm. Visitors were able to explore NGO booths, sign petitions, participate in children's activities and learn about family support services offered by organizations such as "The Family".Nacionalinė šeimų ir tėvų asociacija"(National Association of Families and Parents), "ProLife Vilnius", among others.

Although she did not participate as a speaker, Lina Gervytė-Michailova, editor-in-chief of the magazine "Ateitis", she shared in an interview her views on Lithuania's demographic challenges. Reflecting on her personal experience of pregnancy, she recalled hearing her son's heartbeat for the first time through an ultrasound: "At that time I did not think that this child would somehow change the demographic situation of the country," she added, "but I remember the feeling of joy I had, it was deeply meaningful." She suggested that if more people understood and experienced this joy, they might be more inclined to start families and prioritize children.

To conclude the day, many participants attended a special mass in Vilnius Cathedral, celebrated by Fr. Deividas Stankevičius, who delivered a moving homily on the sanctity of life and the spiritual responsibility of nurturing and protecting it. As the crowds dispersed and the final notes of the day echoed through Cathedral Square, the event left many with a renewed sense of purpose. Organisers and participants alike expressed optimism that the March for Life will continue to grow in both size and impact. Agnieszka Gracz praised the Vilnius March for its joyful atmosphere, celebration of life and dignity of the unborn, expressing hope that it would develop into a longstanding annual tradition in Lithuania. With increasing collaboration between civil, religious, and cultural voices, many see this year’s march as a turning point, one that may inspire broader conversations about life, family, and the future of society in Lithuania and across the Baltics.