1972-ųjų metų Kauno reminescencijos

Abstract

On the turn of the 6th-7th decades the tension conditioned by growing national and civil resistance to the Soviet regime was building up in Lithuania and particularly in Kaunas city. The national composition of Kaunas population, strong role of the Catholic Church in the society and the activity of youth anti-Soviet organisations made the city the centre of anti-Soviet resistance. The events in Kaunas were stimulated by European students' manifestations and hippie movements. R. Kalanta's self immolation on the 14th of May, 1972 provoked spontaneous resistance oriented towards striving for independence. The Soviet system reacted by stiffening the repressive measures, controlling youth behaviour and sending army to the city streets. The schools were pervaded with the atmosphere of fear aimed to stifle the spirit of freedom.