In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the United States recognition of Lithuanian independence, Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture in Chicago, USA, invited to the premiere of the new Lithuanian documentary film. “Lietuvos Laisvės varpas” (Lithuania‘s Liberty Bell; director Arvydas Reneckis) tells a story about the efforts of the LithuanianAmericans to support Lithuania‘s independence a hundred years ago.
The film features unseen archival footage from the first LithuanianAmerican congresses in the early 20th century, visits to the USA by the signatories of the Independence Act of the Republic of Lithuania, and commentary by contemporary scholars. It is the story about the LithuanianAmerican efforts to achieve statehood for Lithuania and the efforts to raise financial support for war-torn country. The Lithuanian Liberty Bell, financed by Lithuanian-Americans, travelled around the USA for some time and was used to collect donations, and later was gifted to Lithuania. It remains one of the most important symbols of Lithuania’s freedom to this day. The film was supported by Lithuanian American Community, Inc.