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Full of energy, courage and desire to work for the sake of dear Homeland Lithuania - such were three noble freedom fighters who's anniversaries we celebrate this year. Doctor Kazys Ambrozaitis - 100, philanthropist and entrepreneur Joseph Peter Kazickas - 100, scholar Adolfas Damusis - 110.

Lithuanian National Martynas Mazvydas library, Adolfas Damusis Democracy Studies Center, the Kazickas Family Foundation present a cycle of events to honor three individuals who worked so hard for Lithuania's sake and to share the most memorable moments of their lives. Exhibition "Three Friends: Damusis, Kazickas and Ambrozaitis" is a part of the program marking anniversries of three emigrants and freedom fighters.

According to National library Adolfas Damusis Democracy Studies Center director Vidmantas Valiusaitis, “they all were the children of Other Independent Republic: they grew up there, went to school there and left their footprint there. At the same time Lithuania was facing its fate of destruction and occupation by the Soviets and the Nazis. So the main thread uniting them was the resistance to occupation in 1940-1944, commitment to freedom and persistent fight for Lithuania’s democracy in 1944-1990. They were fortunate to accomplish so much out West, to see Lithuania regaining its freedom in 1990 and to return here. ”

During the opening National library director prof. dr. R. Gudauskas highlighted that those three noble individuals and their works accomplished link Independent Lithuania between the two World Wars to the modern Lithuania and entire event cycle at the National library celebrates Restored Lithuania's 100. "It is important that this exhibition will be available not just to the library's regular visitors but also to all our guests from all over the world arriving to the Song Festival "In Lithuania's name" and other events," shared prof. dr. R. Gudauskas.

Adolfas Damušis daughter Ginte Damusyte, Liithuania's Ambassador to Denmark and Iceland, noticed that three friends were connected by the idealism. "Not every generation so strongly believed in Lithuania's Republic and the opportunity to restore it. They were connected by the idealism, but they were also the visioners and knew how to make that vision a reality," said the Ambassador.

Ramune Ambrozaityte-Fry, Kazys Ambrozaitis' daughter, shared the most precious memories about her father, pointing out three main things: a smile that never left the doctor's face, strong belief that Lithuania will be free and his humbleness. "My father never wanted to be worshiped."

President of the Kazickas Family Foundation Jurate Kazickas was grateful for the opportunity to connect family members, firends and new acquaintances under the National library roof, to remember and honor three friends and their work. "My father loved Lithuania so much. When I was young I couldn't understand why? But he kept waiting for just a breeze from Lithuania. Kept saying that flowers bloom prettier and smell nicer in Lithuania. He encouraged us to learn Lithuanian language, its history, traditions. He always believed that Lithuanai will be free and was so excited when it gained its Independence. That's why we must not stop, we must do all we can to our Homeland. But most importantly - we must love Lithuania," shared J. Kazickas.

Exhibition consists of few parts highliting different aspects of their lives: their values, priorities, noble work. All three men deeply cared not just about public issues, but also about their families. Exhibition aims to portray unique connection between a man and a woman that keeps them together not just during the most joyous times, but also guides them through the most darkest ones. Many other aspects of freedom fighters' lives, such as resistence fights for free Homeland marked with the most importants moments from professional and public work and, most importantly, big joy finaly returning to free beloved Lithuania.

Two day conference “"Political Case for Freedom and Lithuanian Diaspora: Legacy, Present Concerns and Expectations" followed the exhibition opening. Vilnius archbishop Gintaras Grusas, head of the Seimas of Lithuania historical heritage committee Arunas Gumuliauskas and representative of the Lithuanian community of the World Vida Bandis and Viktoras Nakas congratulated the participants.