Lithuanian journalists revive partisan song to bolster resilience
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In Lithuania, journalists Živilė Kropaitė and Aistė Plaipaitė recorded a new version of the partisan song “Gal pavargai?” (“Are You Tired?”) and released a music video to connect past struggles with present challenges.
The women, both granddaughters of people affected by Soviet repression, have spent four years travelling Lithuania and sharing stories of resistance through their ancestors’ experiences.
Kropaitė authored a book about her grandmother, a partisan liaison, while Plaipaitė published the memoirs of her grandfather, a victim of Soviet persecution. Both grandfathers were punished by the Soviet authorities. Pranas Plaipa received a 25-year sentence for distributing anti-Soviet appeals, and Ona Butrimaitė Laurinienė faced 10 years in a labour camp followed by 5 years of exile for aiding partisans.
The journalists believe recounting these personal stories of hardship and sacrifice is vital to strengthening Lithuania’s ability to withstand modern threats. Kropaitė and Plaipaitė hope their work will contribute to societal resilience by reminding people to stay vigilant against propaganda, disinformation, and attempts to divide the country. They see parallels between the past and present, arguing that freedom is not simply inherited but must be actively protected by each generation.
They insist on singing the old songs in a simple style, preserving the sound of a difficult time.
