Silvestras, a Lithuanian living abroad since the age of 14, would not hesitate to return to defend his native country in case of war: he said why the upcoming referendum is extremely important

Silvestras, currently living in Denver, Colorado, has a surprising love for Lithuania: he not only passionately supports the national basketball team, but also participates in military exercises, reads our country’s news every day, and also encourages Lithuanians living abroad to remotely participate in the Lithuanian elections. However, he also sees certain difficulties that can make remote voting very difficult for some. What are the difficulties? Why does the upcoming referendum on retaining dual citizenship seem so important to Sylvester? He agreed to tell about it.

Silvestre had to live in different countries. However, he says that Lithuania is the closest to him and it has always been that way.

“I was born and grew up in Lithuania. Even when I lived abroad, I never left Lithuania. I tried to come back here as often as possible. I noticed that the further I live from Lithuania, the more often I return,” says the interviewer.

He says that he returns to his home country at least twice a year. Mostly in summer and winter. Silvestras also points out that he communicates a lot and often with Lithuanians living abroad.

“We spend a lot of time together, we travel together. I also constantly follow Lithuanian news. I watch the news every day. That’s why I’m really not detached from the current affairs of Lithuania”, notes the Lithuanian.

In America, Sylvester had to live in Los Angeles, California, and now he is staying in Denver, Colorado.

“I moved out very unexpectedly, with my ex-girlfriend. She is half American, half Spanish. When we met, I was living in Spain at the time. She wanted to return to her native country, where she had not lived for a long time. At that time, we decided to go to Los Angeles, where her parents lived. However, after a few years, we went our separate ways, but I decided to continue living here,” the interviewer recalls.

He claims that after breaking up with his girlfriend, he had serious doubts and thought about the possibility of returning to live in Lithuania. But he was stopped by a good job. That’s how he stayed in America.

Silvestras says that when he came to live in Los Angeles, he started looking for Lithuanian communities to join.

“My main goal was to find a group of Lithuanians who play basketball. That’s how I made my first contact with Lithuanians in Los Angeles. When I moved in, I knew absolutely no one. However, I quickly found a group of Lithuanians who meet every week to play basketball, go to a bar together after training, and talk,” he recalls.

Lietuvis says that later, due to work, he had to move to Denver. There she met even more Lithuanians.

“No matter where I live, thanks to basketball, I find Lithuanians everywhere. I also travel with the Lithuanian basketball team. The idea first arose about three years ago. Then the selection for the Olympic Games took place in Kaunas. My friends and I went from Vilnius to Kaunas to watch basketball matches. This is how we unexpectedly came up with the idea of ​​going to the European Championship next year, and at the same time supporting the Lithuanian national team. I went on my first trip, which was very successful,” Silvestras says.

According to him, accompanying the Lithuanian national team, he also visited the Philippines last year. For him, these trips are an opportunity to support the national team, to travel, and also to meet other Lithuanian fans.

“Most fans who travel with the national team are Lithuanians living somewhere abroad. For most, it is like a tradition. Fans usually travel for several years after the national team. It’s like a way of life,” emphasizes Sylvester, who lives in America.

The interviewer indicates that he himself was born and grew up in Vilnius. Therefore, he has been supporting the “Ryto” team since he was a child. He does not miss a single match of this team. When he returns to Lithuania, he tries to visit all the matches of this team. For him, it is like a way of life.

Silvestras says that he and several other Lithuanians even plan to go to Puerto Rico this summer, where the selection for this year’s Olympic games will take place.

“Basketball is the second Lithuanian religion. This unites us, no matter where we live. And it doesn’t matter how long we haven’t been living in Lithuania,” says the interviewer.

According to him, when it comes to Lithuanian citizenship and passport, his opinion is simple. A passport is just a paper, a document.

“A Lithuanian may not have citizenship, because he may have lost it. However, despite this, he identifies himself as Lithuanian, although he cannot hold dual citizenship. Therefore, the question of citizenship is very important. I really hope that the issue of dual citizenship will be solved someday”, says the Lithuanian.

Therefore, the interviewer says, it is necessary to strongly encourage everyone to vote.

Still, Silvestre says that he sees problems with the referendum. For example, it is very important to educate people, but now, according to him, there is a lack of information.

“It happens that the information is released too late. Education must be continuous, not just a month or several before the referendum itself. People constantly need to be explained why dual citizenship is not evil. At the same time, the wording itself is very vague. As far as I know, it will be slightly adjusted this year. But as far as I read the wording myself, it is not completely clear,” he says.

Sylvester is convinced that a person who comes to vote must clearly understand who they are voting for. If the wording is complicated, people may not fully understand what is wanted.

“I myself always vote by mail. But I think even the registration process itself is a bit complicated. I can’t imagine how this process should be understood by an elderly person who is not very “friendly” with technology. It may seem to people that just registering is a lot of work,” emphasizes the Lithuanian.

He says that in his environment he has also heard comments that people do not know what to vote for, so he does not promise to do so in general. However, it all depends on the people themselves and their citizenship. He always strongly encourages Lithuanians to vote.

“After all, we live in times of globalization. If you don’t know what to vote for, you can find out more, you can watch the debate. All that is needed is more willingness and civility. Voting is a right that every citizen has. It needs to be used. Personally, I am very nervous about people who complain that things are bad in Lithuania, but they don’t go to vote themselves,” he says.

Sylvester points out that the issue of American citizenship is not particularly significant. According to him, the most important thing in this country is to have a green card.

“If you have it, you can live in America practically indefinitely. Unless, of course, it doesn’t apply if you commit some kind of crime. But the main difference between American citizenship and a green card is that with citizenship you also have the right to vote. With citizenship, there are fewer restrictions on travel. For example, you can leave America indefinitely. You can leave with a green card only for a period of up to six months,” he says.

It is also possible to face difficulties without having American citizenship if you want to work in the public service. Silvestras says that in order to work in the police, fire department or other state institution, you also need to have citizenship.

“American citizenship provides a more fulfilling life, but it is not the case that without citizenship your rights are drastically different,” a Lithuanian living abroad is convinced.

Silvestras has also served in the Lithuanian army. More recently, he also participated in a two-week exercise where he updated his knowledge.

“If necessary, I would have decided to return to Lithuania and defend it. That I would return to defend Lithuania is a fact. After all, most of my family lives in Lithuania. But I hope I never have to. After all, that’s what we’re preparing for,” the Lithuanian says.

In Lithuania, Silvestras does not miss the opportunity to go and enjoy basketball competitions. He also tries to spend as much time as possible in the nature of his native country. He also meets friends and travels in Lithuania.