Lithuania is launching a national initiative that invites the public to step away from traditional monuments and into the dense forests that once served as the front lines of a decades-long struggle for independence. The third annual “Mossy Kilometers” (Samaningi kilometrai) hiking project, organized in collaboration with the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union, has officially opened registration for its 2025-2026 season, starting with a major event on May 16.
The initiative is designed to commemorate the Day of Partisans, Military, and Society Unity, observed annually on the third weekend of May. Unlike formal ceremonies, “Mossy Kilometers” focuses on experiential history, encouraging participants to walk authentic routes used by the Lithuanian partisans—known as the Forest Brothers—who resisted Soviet occupation following World War II.
A Living Connection to the Resistance
For the partisans who fought between 1944 and 1953, the forest was not a place of recreation but a permanent state of being. The initiative asks participants to reflect on the psychological weight of that experience: the fear of the unknown, the physical toll of the terrain, and the constant need for concealment. By moving through the same moss-covered landscapes that sheltered these fighters, the organizers aim to foster a deeper, more personal understanding of national history.
This shift toward “active remembrance” reflects a broader European trend where historical education moves beyond textbooks and into the landscape. For international observers and the Lithuanian diaspora, the project offers a tangible way to engage with a period of history that remained largely hidden behind the Iron Curtain for nearly half a century.
The Radviliškis Commemoration and the 1949 Declaration
A central event of the current season will take place on May 16 in the Radviliškis district. The hike begins at 12:00 PM at the Partisan Memorial in Minaičiai village. This location holds immense historical weight; it was here, in a hidden bunker, that partisan leaders signed the Declaration of February 16, 1949, which established the legal and political continuity of the Lithuanian state during the occupation.
Participants at the Minaičiai event will be treated to traditional “riflemen’s treats” (šauliškos vaišės) upon their return. The day concludes with the “Warriors of the Twilight” (Sutemų karžygiai) festival, an immersive blend of historical memory and contemporary art designed to bridge the gap between the sacrifices of the past and the cultural identity of the present.
Expanding the Trails to the Global Community
The “Mossy Kilometers” initiative is scaling its reach significantly. By 2026, the project plans to host 10 major hikes within Lithuania and an additional nine hikes specifically organized for Lithuanian communities living abroad. This expansion acknowledges the large diaspora, including significant populations in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Norway, who seek ways to maintain a connection to their heritage through shared physical activity.
For those wishing to participate in the upcoming Radviliškis hike or other scheduled routes, registration is available through the official portal at www.samaningikm.lt. Participants can register as individuals or as part of organized groups, including businesses, schools, and community organizations. On-site registration at Minaičiai will also be available on the day of the event from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
The project serves as a reminder that history is not merely a collection of dates, but a series of actions and choices. By walking these “mossy kilometers,” participants are not just observing history—they are carrying it forward.
Source: Radviliškio rajono savivaldybė
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