Kevin Bohn
Kevin Bohn is a veteran broadcast journalist who has covered the White House, political campaigns and the justice beat among his many assignments for CNN. He also was a frequent contributor to CNN.Com. Since leaving CNN, he has written freelance articles and worked as the researcher on the upcoming book "The Big Truth: Upholding Democracy in the age of THE BIG LIE."
Electronic images
Lithuanian Statehood Day
This photo shows part of the Lithuanian honor guard setting off cannons in the celebration of one of the Lithuanian Statehood Day. This event , which commemorates the coronoration in 1253 of the first and only King of Lithuania, is held in the front courtyard of the presidential palace. Several hundred people braved heavy rain to come out and pay their respects.
Unlike in the US, citizens can come very close to their leaders in Lithuania. The crowd was gathered on the ground right next to the event. The cannons were one majestic part of the celebration which also included honor guards, music and speeches from country leaders. One tradition is that kids come into the courtyard at the event's conclusion searching for shell casings fired off from rifles during the event.
Vilnius Jewish Quarter
This photo shows a former cookie store in the quarter with signs in Hebrew, Polish and Lithuanian. There were many thiriving such stores in the area before the war.
I took a fascinating walking tour of Vilnius’ Jewish quarter during a week-long trip to Lithuania. The Jewish Ghetto took over the quarter during World War II. There was a thriving Jewish community in the city before first the Russians then the Germans and then again the Russians persecuted and then murdered or exiled most of the Jews living in the country. Interestingly in last few years Lithuanians have begun to acknowledge a small number of their countrymen actually helped carry out the Holocaust. Vilnius once was known as the Jerusalem of the north. While 36% of the 1920 population of Vilnius was Jewish, by 1942 80% of the country’s Jews had been killed. Before World War II there were 105 synagogues in Vilnius. After the war only one was left.
Trakai Island Castle
This picture captures the gorgeous the Traki Island Castle which sits on an island in Lake Galvė. Construction on it began in the 14th century.
This is a very popular destination for both Lithuanians and tourists. The area is strewn with cafes which line the water, and visitors can either rent paddle boats or take short boat rides around the area. There are also many merchants who set up stands selling everything from meats to crafts. Now only parts remain after it was rebuilt in the 1950’s-1960’s. Since the weather is only really nice for a short period betwen May through sometime in August, you often will see many weddings. I saw some couples taking their wedding photos during the visit.
Old KGB Office/Prison
This picture shows one of the cells in the basement used to house prisoners while the Soviet Union occupied the country. The walls of this room were re-painted over a dozen times to remove any semblance of messages left by the prisoners. Other cells were where people were doused with water, or guards tried to indoctrine Marxist ideology.
The old KGB office in Vilnius is now the country's Museum of Occupaion and Freedom Fights. Established in 1992, it is a sobering destination. In the basement you can tour the various cells and torture chambers used by the guards, including some of the appartus used on the prisoners. Upstairs there are exhibits telling the stories of the occupation and the Lithuanians' fight for independence. On the outside of the building are the names and ages of the brave people who fought to help the country gain freedom from Soviet rule as well as some of their stories.
More about this photo: https://www.govilnius.lt/visit-vilnius/places/museum-of-occupations-and-freedom-fights