Baltics heritage honored by replanting ‘Freedom Tree’ in Elizabeth Park in West Hartford 30 years after historic demonstration

Elona Vaisnys urged those gathered in front of the “Freedom Tree” in Elizabeth Park to join hands just like 2 million citizens of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania did 30 years ago as a peaceful demonstration for freedom and independence from the Soviet Union.

“It brought back all those emotions I felt,” said Dalia Giedrimiene, a professor at University of Saint Joseph, who participated in the original “Baltic Way.” “Each person had 1 meter and they stretched out and it extended down the highway as far as you could see…We felt very isolated and we wanted to send a message.”

Friday was the 30th anniversary of that historic demonstration that took place in 1989. Dozens of area residents gathered in front of the park’s Pond House Cafe for a symbolic replanting (the tree was already planted) of the “Freedom Tree” – a weeping cherry originally planted in 1991 – that had died recently.

The tree symbolizes both joy and sadness, according to Jaak Rakfeldt, chairman of the Connecticut Estonian Society. The tree is not only a symbol of freedom, but also in remembrance of the 80th anniversary of the brutal Nazi and Soviet occupations of the three countries and a half-century of Soviet annexation. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are part of the European Union and NATO.

“And thus, the weeping cherry tree weeps as we have wept for the millions of victims of the Nazis and of the Soviets,” he said. “Our ceremonial replanting of this tree is a powerful reminder of, and a metaphor for, the constant, relentless need to replant, replenish and to nourish freedom and democracy with its basic human rights and civil liberties.

“Sadly, these very values are currently being aggressively attacked by Putin’s Russia, successor state of the Soviet Union,” he added. “The Baltic states are a bulwark against Russian aggression which takes many forms including cyber attacks, promulgating a false historical narrative, online and social media misinformation as well as other Democracy destabilizing activities against the western world including our own United States.”

A commemorative stone, marked by the three flags of the countries, sits next to the new tree and is marked with: “Planted on August 23, 1991, by the Estonians, Latvians, and Lithuanians of Connecticut as a living commitment to the cause of Baltic Independence.”

Vaisnys said there are re-enactments taking place in the three countries, Washington D.C., Canada and even in Hong Kong as a way of peaceful protesting and remembrances.

“We here are a link in a chain that goes around the world,” she said. “We will continue what we are doing. Freedom waxes and wanes and it needs people to recommit to freedom, Democracy and independence. This replants our commitment within our hearts.”

Giedrimiene is also part of Baltic-New England Development Network, Inc. – or Baltnet – which is working to develop partnerships between the Baltics with Connecticut and other New England states.

“I am happy and proud to be a part of helping to sustain that freedom,” she said. “Who knew a silent revolution could make a difference. We had no idea. We had very tiny hopes. To see everyone come together and accomplish a goal meant a lot. But we must always be aware.”

Peter Marteka can be reached at pmarteka@courant.com.