From June 10–12, representatives from the national library communities of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia gathered in Lithuania. The long-standing Baltic seminar “LiLaEst 2026” took place there. This year’s meeting focused on themes of heritage and identity, which are particularly important in today’s geopolitical context. The seminar reaffirmed that national libraries are an important part of the region’s national identity and democratic resilience.

“The national libraries of the Baltic countries continue their long-standing partnership, which helps share experiences while strengthening cultural identity and resilience. Today, libraries are not only community hubs and spaces for knowledge and critical thinking. They preserve our documentary heritage, which is vital to democratic resilience. At meetings like “LiLaEst 2026,” we work together to find ways to keep this heritage close, relevant, and understandable to people,” said Aušrinė Žilinskienė, Director General of the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania.

Why the connection to history is more important today than ever

In his presentation, cultural historian Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aurimas Švedas noted that due to constant haste and presentism—when the present overshadows both the past and the future—it becomes difficult for people to understand how these three dimensions of time are interconnected. It is precisely this connection that is necessary to understand one’s identity and place in the world. According to the associate professor, in this confusion of time, history, memory, and heritage are increasingly becoming tools of politics, the media, and even business—the past is selected, rewritten, or interpreted as it suits. This creates a breeding ground for manipulation and oversimplified answers, which further distance society from the true historical context.

According to Prof. Dr. A. Švedas, in such a situation it is particularly important to re-establish connections with the past and the future, to cultivate the ability to resist superficial interpretations, and to view the future not only through the lens of threats but also through the lens of opportunities. National libraries play a unique role here: by preserving authentic heritage and presenting it in a contemporary way, they help people understand the value of history and national identity, strengthen critical thinking, and provide society with a sense of stability in the world.

Heritage and Heritage Research: How to Engage the Public

Dr. Jolanta Budriūnienė, Director of the Department of Documentary Heritage Research at the National Library of Lithuania, noted in her presentation that the artifacts preserved in libraries, museums, and archives do not create meaning on their own. They must be brought to the public in a modern and engaging way. The presentation of academic research on heritage to the public was also discussed. In this era of geopolitical instability, such research can play a vital role in strengthening national identity and fostering public resilience against disinformation.

This idea was further developed by Anda Baklāne, PhD, Head of Digital Research Services at the National Library of Latvia, as she spoke about the importance of interpreting cultural heritage data. According to the speaker, simply collecting data is not enough—libraries must help people understand it. She highlighted curated exhibitions and thematic displays as the most effective solution, as they allow visitors to discover connections between different sources and create new cultural narratives.

Literature – Part of National Identity

Greete Veesalu, curator of digital cultural heritage at the National Library of Estonia, noted that literature can become a powerful tool for shaping identity. She illustrated this by presenting the story of Tasuja, an Estonian literary hero, who was used for both cultural and marketing purposes under various political regimes and eventually established himself as a symbol of national identity.

Although the book’s hero, Tasuja, is fictional, the story is based on real chronicles of the 1343 St. George’s Night Uprising against the feudal lords. This character became such a powerful symbol of freedom that Estonians later named not only military ships and tanks—which inspired soldiers in the 20th-century struggles for independence—after him, but also later brands of food, beverages, and watches, as well as street names and more.

Cultural Resilience in Times of War: The Ukrainian Experience

Oksana Brui, Deputy Director General of the Yaroslav Mudryi National Library of Ukraine and President of the Ukrainian Librarians’ Association, emphasized that the work of cultural institutions in wartime is not only about preserving documentary heritage but also about strengthening people’s morale: from bibliotherapy to animal-assisted activities that help residents cope with the daily stress of war, Ukraine’s example reminds us that cultural heritage and the information space are an integral part of national security—this is relevant for Lithuania as well.

Ukrainian libraries today are need of support from the Baltic states in rebuilding destroyed libraries and their service infrastructure; by involving them in projects funded by the European Commission; by providing internship opportunities for the preservation of documentary heritage; and by sharing reliable information about the war and the situation of Ukrainian cultural institutions.

58 Years of Baltic Cultural Unity

The “LiLaEst” seminars began 58 years ago during the Soviet era and have since become a significant forum where, every two years in a different Baltic country, common professional directions are discussed, experiences are shared, and regional cultural ties and resilience are strengthened.

This year, the Latvian delegation was led by Dagnija Baltiņa, Director General of the National Library, and the Estonian delegation by Martin Öövel, Director General of the National Library.

This meeting demonstrated once again that by working together, one can build a stronger, more open, and resilient Baltic region. The national libraries will continue to foster this unity so that their heritage and cultural identity are not only preserved but also meaningfully passed on to future generations.