Jonas Basanavičius also left his mark in Birštonas. One of the oldest monuments to the patriarch was erected in 1939. The author of the sculpture, A. Aleksandravičius, was personally acquainted with Doctor Basanavičius.
All details and historical facts related to the birth of modern democratic Lithuania are important for Lithuanian patriots. It is impossible not to mention Basanavičius' contribution when talking about the modern state.
Basanavičius lived in Vilnius during the Polish occupation. He did his utmost to promote Lithuanian identity and was already considered a living symbol of Lithuanian independence. On 16 February 1918, he chaired the Council meeting at which all members signed the Act of Restoration of the Independent State of Lithuania.
Basanavičius returned to Vilnius from Bulgaria and lived there until his death but was otherwise a pure Suvalkian. Basanavičius' native parish of Bartinkai and his native village of Ožkabaliai were described by A. Nezabitauskis as "one of the oldest places in Sūdava".
However, this historical figure should not be overlooked in the context of his other half, for no great figure is born without the support of a great woman. First and foremost, it was his love for his wife that drove Basanavičius to work for the state, and his beloved, in turn, supported and assisted the leader of the nation wherever he went. Although she never lived in Lithuania, she lived for Basanavičius' homeland and his political struggle for freedom and rebirth.
It is highly symbolic that Basanavičius died on February 16, the ninth anniversary of Lithuania's independence. Five days of mourning were declared immediately. Just over a year after Basanavičius's death, his image appeared on litas banknotes. Later, the most famous signatory was also depicted on the 50 litas banknote.
The editor of the first Lithuanian monthly "Aušra" is commemorated in many Lithuanian towns and cities with monuments and busts. There are also a number of streets named after Basanavičius throughout the country, the most famous of which is in Palanga. There are also streets named after him in Bulgaria, where the doctor lived for many years.
Interestingly, the legend of Basanavičius did not disappear during the Soviet era. Even then, the occupiers were not bothered by the historical figure and even published their writings. Critics have noted that Basanavičius ideas were conducive to communist visions of nationhood, which had no place for politics, sovereignty, or independence - images of an ethnic nation sufficed.
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