Why is it that the combination of nationalism and religion always gives such scary undertones?
In the middle north of Lithuania one can find the Hill of Crosses, situated in the middle of an arable land, sixteen kilometers from Šiauliai. Just 12 meters high it is barely a physical expidition. But the thought of all these thousands of crosses going back to 1831 is a real mental journey. The first crosses were erected by the relatives of the victims of the rebellion in 1831. The tsarist government did not allow the families to honor their deads properly. The crosses were therefore from the start a combination of religion and rebelly. During the occupation by the Soviet Union 1944-1990 the spot again was considered as a platform of Lithuanian nationalism. At day Soviet bulldozers demolished the crosses, which at night were erected again by the local people.
The alternation of demolishing and renewing went on until 1985. The Soviets were lead by Mikael Gorbatsjov, whose glasnost left the Hill of crosses at peace. Five years later, March 11th 1990, the Lithuanians declared themselves independent again.
The Hill of Crosses still grows and grows, witnessing the power of hope and trust.
Comments