The interactive exhibition “November. Alpha. Tango. Oscar.” – MadeinVilnius.lt

In commemoration of the 20th anniversary of Lithuania’s membership in NATO and the European Union and the 75th anniversary of NATO on March 29. The interactive exhibition “November. Alpha. Tango. Oscar.”

20 years ago, 7 European countries joined NATO, including the Baltic countries. The exhibition opening at the Museum of Energy and Technology symbolizes Lithuania’s long and consistent path in international partnership. Despite its small area and population, Lithuania is a leader in intellectual resources – the development of high technologies.

Ensures safety

NATO was founded 75 years ago, in 1949. April 4 Currently, 32 countries belong to the organization. Membership in NATO was part of the goals of Lithuania’s foreign and security policy after the restoration of independence.

This year’s commemorative events are organized by the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Lithuania, symbolically repeating the 2004 event. March 29 a historical event, when allied fighter jets landed at the air base of the Lithuanian Air Force in Šiauliai. The implementation of the interactive exhibition was supported by the Ministry of National Defense, the Chancellery of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and Vilnius City Municipality.

“For 20 years, we have been safer, being members of the strongest defense alliance, being able to build our country’s prosperity on the foundation of peace and security. Only in his presence can the state flourish, and the nation and free society spread with all its strengths, diversity and potential. Today we also understand that we are all participants in our common security, which also depends on our own will to defend ourselves. Because membership in NATO is a huge success and a privilege, however, it does not turn security into a gift, an exemption from care and responsibility, what each of us as a citizen – and all together as a society – can do together, what else can we contribute to a safer future for us. By sharing this daily responsibility, I firmly believe, we become stronger and grow as a state,” said the Chancellor of the Government, Giedrė Balchytytė.

Open to the public

April 6 A free exhibition presentation event will be held at the Museum of Energy and Technology, in which the Ground, Marine, National Guard Volunteer Forces, Engineering Battalion, Communications and Information Systems Battalion of the Lithuanian Army will participate.

“The feeling of security is determined by the knowledge that we are protected by NATO forces, that our army is advanced both in terms of military equipment and competences, that we have significant technological capabilities here in Lithuania, which are widely relied on in the European military industry. Therefore, the museum’s contribution to public education is very valuable today,” said Vilnius City Mayor Valdas Benkunskas.

In outdoor and indoor exhibitions, the Lithuanian army will present the latest technologies used in their work – drones, mine and bomb detectors, X-ray machine, optics, thermal imagers, rangefinders, and will allow visitors to try on the equipment of a modern soldier.

The museum will host discussions about the importance of NATO, the harm of (dis)information, future warfare, from modernizing military equipment to artificial intelligence. In the evening, Ieva Taraskevičiūtė will perform an acoustic concert. The event will be free and open to the public.

Innovators

In the interactive exhibition, four simulators have been created – parachute, suppression of unmanned drones, ensuring communication and shooting.

“Commemorating the 20th anniversary of Lithuania’s membership in NATO, we turned to the local industry and pointed out that, although we are a small country in terms of area and population, we contribute to NATO by creating technologies, innovations and lead with intellectual capital,” said Mykolas Bistrickas, director of the Museum of Energy and Technology.

In a rapidly developing world, museums are no longer limited to the role of custodians of history. “We introduce visitors to the research carried out in Lithuania, the products being developed and interest in engineering through an immersive experience – by transferring the informational content into video format, offering visitors to try practical simulators where they will get to know the world of parachute ergonomics, drone suppression and other advanced technologies,” he continued.

All NATO countries contributed

In the title of the exhibition “November. Alpha. Tango. Oscar.” uses the NATO phonetic alphabet, in which each letter is assigned a specific word. This standard is used to avoid mistakes or miscommunication between soldiers, especially if they are from different countries.

Modern war trophies are also exhibited at the exhibition. NT Service, a company that manufactures telecommunications and communication equipment, handed over drone interceptors to the Ukrainian army and recovered three drones shot down in the war with Russia.

Exhibits were also lent and created by companies operating in Lithuania: RSI Europe, Ados pro, Granta Solutions, Brolis Semiconductors, ATRI and the Center for Physical and Technological Sciences. Historical exhibits were handed over by the Vytautas Great War Museum.

The embassies or honorary consuls of all NATO countries in Lithuania contributed to the creation of the exhibition – visitors will see the flags of NATO allies, which were handed over to the museum by their representatives in Lithuania.

The exhibition will be open until December 31, with a presentation event open to the public on April 6.