Following the misfortunes and the wars of our century, it was decided that the political map of Europe should not change any more, in order that the world might avoid new and even greater misfortunes. Such were the thoughts of the great world powers. Life, however, proved itself mightier than the logic of the great, and thus the weak have managed to force their way into the light of day, and the peace which they brought was embodied in kindness, a mighty force for good.

The self-emancipation of the nations of East and Central Europe, from communism and oppression, bore a resemblance to the national renaissance in the 19th century. This time, however, the rebirth was more peaceful. The revolution, instead of being an explosion, was more like flowers pushing their way up, with patience and wisdom.

Lithuania, along with its two Baltic neighbours, Latvia and Estonia, took an independent and rather important step that brought Europe closer to peaceful freedom.

The rebirth of the Baltic countries was markedly different from the self- emancipation of the other European nations which had suffered the burden of oppression: not only did they have to liberate themselves from communism, but they also had to regain the most basic right, namely that of existence. Lithuania had to liberate itself not only from the Soviet bloc, but also from a state of non-existence, in the most literal and political sense.

The international community had to recall that the Baltic Countries had been erased from the map of Europe during the course of World War II.

Europe threw open its gates to us, and the Lithuanians, having once again joined the old community of nations, smiled.

In 1989, the French National Geographic Institute established and certified the fact that the exact centre of Europe is located in Lithuania, 27 kilometres north of Vilnius.

This book is like a mirror which should reflect the true focal points of life in Lithuania.