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Discussion was lead by Vilnius University Law Associate professor, Yale visiting fellow and head of Ateitininkai Federation dr. Vaidotas Vaicaitis, Harvard University alumn attorney Justinas Jarusevicius and creator of "Invisible Front" film director Vincas Sruoginis.

Dr. V. Vaicaitis introduced history of the Constitution from ancient to modern times, its introduction, adjustment and implementation in Lithuania, presented current Lithuanian Constitutional Court's and international law's position regarding the dual citizenship.

J. Jarusevicius explained that currently the Lithuanian Constitutional Court is presented by following judges: http://www.lrkt.lt/en/structure/justices/members-of-the-court/179. Three of them change every three years and this way structure consequently alters. Those nine individuals are responsible for interpretation of the Constitution when any issues arise. Their position regarding maintaining Lithuanian citizenship is not benevolent towards Lithuania's diaspora.

J. Jarusevicius continued that "apart of structural changes, interpretation of the Constitution regarding citizenship has been consistent for quite a while already, where it it stated that dual citizenship can not be a widespread occurrence. Granting (allowing to keep) Lithuanian citizenship to everyone leaving Lithuania would represent such widespread occurence. While reading the Constitution, such explanation doesn't seem suitable for the Constitution's development. It is unfortunate that its interpretation made such a turn - it seems like we shoot ourselves in a foot. It is really unclear what was the purpose of such interpretation when Court's decisions' development starting with Paksas/Borisov case, mentioned by V. Vaicaitis, and ending with such broad answers to Her Excellency President addressing dual citizenship issue back in 2013."

V. Sruoginis shared his personal story. His grandfather, Anicetas Simutis, was Lithuanian diplomat, who was assigned to work at the Consulat General in New York in 1936. In 1940, after soviets closed Lithuanian diplomatic embassies in the US, A. Simutis didn't comply with the orders and continued his obligation in New York. He couldn't return to Lithuania, but he dedicated the rest of his life helping Lithuania and its people. V. Sruoginis and his sister applied for Lithuanian citizenship. Only after finishing his film "Invisible Front", he realized that Lithuanian citizenship is like his badge of honor.

Film director raised important questions "Is Lithuanian citizenship directly related to Lithuanian language? Are citizens of Lithuania are only the ones who speak the language fluently? How about the citizens of other countries who speak fluent Lithuanian, work for Lithuania, are they worth to call themselves the citizens?" Many Lithuanians, borned and raised in diaspora who truly love Lithuania, don't feel accepted in Lithuania due to the language barrier. How about such people like Jonas Ohman, who speaks Lithuanian as beautifully as many native Lithuanians and spent huge part of his life cherishing and fostering Lithuanian language and culture inside and outside of Lithuania, is he worth to be called a citizen?"

Lithuanians, participating at the discussion, raised various important questions regarding the citizenship as well. Can we use the term "citizenships taken away" instead of "dual citizenship"? Is Lithuania proud of taking Z. Ilgauskas' citizenship, while he was spreading the word about Lithuania and is raising two beautiful children adopted from Lithuania? Our own stories are a little similar and at the same time quite different. However, no matter where life takes you, do individuals representing The Constitutional Court of Lithuania believe that Lithuania can afford to alienate its citizens? What their legacy will be when their term representing The Constitutional Court of Lithuania is over? Will statistics, saying that Lithuania lost thousands of its citizens during the term they served, make them proud?

Number of people with Lithuanian heritage and the ones who love Lithuania for many differenet reasons, year to year relentlessly work for Lithuania - dedicated, without any payment. For more than a hundred years Lithuania had a highly involved diaspora. Lithuania wouldn't be the same without it. Only when Lithuanians living in their homeland agree to build bridges with Lithuanians living abroad, the country can move forwards. Enemy of a state is not an emigrant, but the one who instigates animosity among people - legal or illegal way.

Photos: Courtesy of A. grybas and M. Palubinskas