In 1990, one year after the fall of the Berlin Wall, and following 50 years of occupation by first Nazi Germany and then Stalin’s USSR, Lithuania proclaimed its independence. Despite Soviet resistance, this stood, and the country began a transition from planned economy to a western style free market, eventually joining NATO and the EU in 2004. Arriving in Vilnius recently I found a mixture of styles – the historic beautiful old town with its castle and café culture, suburbs with austere Soviet housing blocks, and a thriving business district north of the river with glass towers. Above all I found a friendly, welcoming and outward looking people.
Friend, former colleague, Global Citizen and moustache grower extraordinaire
Also wrote 'Bring and Braai' and 'Kigali'
The changing territory of Lithuania since the 13th century
Trakai Island Castle
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