Authors

Discussion

The Nemunas River, a central geographic and cultural feature of Lithuania, is a crucial geographical entity that connects the histories of Lithuania, Poland, Germany, and Belarus. Spanning over 900 kilometres, it has played a vital role in shaping the natural landscape and serving as an important trade route, boundary, and source of life for centuries. Over time, communities along its course have shaped—and have been shaped by—this multifaceted river. Thus, the Nemunas emerges not only as a geographical fact and a vital resource, but also as a symbol, a source of inspiration and part of self-identities for those who live along its banks.

This paper examines how, under the Soviet occupation of Lithuania (1940–1941 and 1944–1990), the Nemunas River was subjected not only to severe ecological disruptions but also to the transformation of its cultural and symbolic meanings to serve the goals of colonial power. Central to this analysis is the concept of "riverscape," which encompasses not just the physical river but also the cultural, economic, and political dimensions shaped by human activity and intervention. The Nemunas, once an important symbol of political consciousness during the uprisings against the Russian Empire, became a representation of the young Lithuanian national state during the interwar period. During the Soviet era, it remained central to the official narrative. However, what at first glance appears to be a continuation of traditional thinking from earlier times, from a critical perspective reveals itself as a measured enactment of colonial power that systematically replaced the concept of statehood with regionalism.

Analyzing various cultural expressions—such as classical, folk, and popular music, fine and applied arts, films and literature—reveals that Soviet Lithuania was repeatedly framed as the Nemunas land. In this way, the idea of Lithuania was tied to a unique geographical region rather than to a sovereign state. At the same time, this geographical region was acknowledged for its limited rights to ethnic identity, but not for political rights. Thus, the motif remained unchanged, but its meanings shifted dramatically. This transformation of meanings, even when visually subtle, became a powerful tool for suppressing the political consciousness of the occupied society. Furthermore, its effects have endured, influencing the cultural and political landscape even after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.