Independence

Gate of Dawn, Vilnius

In 1991, there were celebrations in Vilnius when Lithuania declared independence from what President Reagan had called the “evil empire”.

Former Soviet states had to confront many problems in achieving the transition to a market economy. Nevertheless, the transition was successful, and few of their citizens would nowadays countenance a return to communism.

When long fought-for independence finally becomes a reality, it is right to celebrate, even if the event itself is only the start of a long process.