Laurynas says that having the freedom to choose is an advantage in every sense, and nothing can replace the feeling of the homeland. He not only shares his thoughts on patriotism, the nurturing of national identity, and the prospects of the state’s future but also reminisces about his grandfather: "I have never met another person who loved Lithuania as much," Laurynas recalls.

What was your environment like growing up? What was your childhood like?

I accidentally found out about my grandfather's role when I was in the 6th or 7th grade. His responsibilities were never emphasized in our family—he was just my grandpa. But as a child, I often wondered where he was, as he was frequently away. The fact that he was a professor teaching philosophy was very evident in his personality—he never gave a straight answer to anything. I've inherited that from him; it's challenging for me to give a quick answer on the spot (smiles).

When I was little, we lived with my grandparents, and I had a very close relationship with them. At that time, I would often see various political figures around, but as a child, I wasn't very interested in that—I didn't ask questions. Like other kids, I was more into playing, drawing, etc. I suppose my worldview was shaped subconsciously, simply by being in that environment.

One thing I clearly remember: when I was 12, I asked my grandfather to recommend a book for me to read, and... by the end of the same day, he handed me a list of about 262 books—from Antiquity to modern times. He said I should read them all. I still have that list and am still working through it... Every book on it is truly worth reading.

My TOP10:

The Iliad & The Odyssey – Homer

The Republic – Plato

The Divine Comedy – Dante Alighieri

The Prince – Niccolò Machiavelli

The Social Contract – Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Faust – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The Brothers Karamazov – Fyodor Dostoevsky

Thus Spoke Zarathustra – Friedrich Nietzsche

The Stranger – Albert Camus

1984 – George Orwell

What does the concept of a state mean to you, and how does one remain a patriot even during moments of disappointment?

I believe that family and nation are closely related constructs—they are among the greatest values in life, and we must nurture, protect, expand, and improve them. Every person's goals—whether physiological needs, career self-actualization, or other ambitions—eventually reach a point where something greater is needed. Family should be an absolute value, a fundamental aspiration for a person. And the country where you live should be understood as an extension of your family—the people who live here as your brothers and sisters. That's why we must all take care of the place we live in.

Disappointments and dissatisfaction with the country are part of the process, but they should never change your fundamental perspective. Unfortunately, I often notice that people forget the collective aspiration to strengthen the nation and work for something beyond themselves. But it's not because they are bad people—it's just that they tend to focus on what feels urgent at the moment, and other things get overlooked. However, at the end of the day, one must remember the bigger goal and why it's worth striving for. First comes family, and from it arises the entire nation—Lithuania or any country one calls home.

Nurturing his country was everything to my grandfather. I don't think I have met anyone else who loved Lithuania as much as he did. He truly sacrificed more than an ordinary person ever could—he dedicated his entire life to it.

Even today, my love for Lithuania feels like something instinctive. In our family, patriotism and nationalism emerged naturally—I never felt pressured to believe in these ideas. But today, I can say without hesitation: if your country needs something, you do it. Love for one's homeland is like a flame—it cannot be explained.

You mentioned nationalism, which, by its nature, seems to contradict multiculturalism—a concept that became more prominent when we joined the European Union. From this perspective, one could argue that we are in a paradoxical situation: We strive for economic prosperity while cultures blend together, and in the process, we risk losing the identity we fought so hard to preserve 35 years ago. Have you thought about this?

Around the year 2000, my grandfather spoke about political unions and how they could dilute Lithuania's national identity. It is our duty to protect the country's authenticity. Unions like the EU, where multiple nations integrate into a common entity, do encourage a degree of alienation. But is that necessarily bad? It's inevitable. Being part of the EU doesn't make us less Lithuanian—it simply exposes us to more cultures. The key is to ensure that Lithuania does not get lost in the bigger picture.

A good example is emigration—many Lithuanians leave to bring something back to benefit the country, yet they often never return. It's incredibly easy to forget where you come from.

That's why I believe we must nurture our country here and now—so that we don't realize what we've lost only once it's gone. When you stop caring for your country, everyone around you stops as well. Unfortunately, that attitude is contagious. And yet, we should inspire one another—that's how a functional society should work.

What do you see in your surroundings now—do you think nationalism and Lithuanian identity are being nurtured and strengthened? Or are they weakening?

I believe that our national identity is only getting stronger in all areas of life—school, university, and beyond—and we have sufficient resources to cultivate it. Of course, we must love our country and build and protect our identity, but not in a way that causes harm or gives the word "nationalism" a negative connotation. Fearmongering and propaganda are not the right tools for shaping one's identity.

As a nation, we have experienced a lot throughout history, and the fact that we are here today is something to be proud of. No one can take that history away from us—we must cherish and remember it constantly. Otherwise, we risk losing our sense of belief, our roots, and, ultimately, our sense of self.

Do you think global citizenship conflicts with national identity, or does it actually benefit Lithuania?

Having the freedom to choose is an advantage in every sense. If you can go abroad, gain experiences that aren't available here, and then return—that's wonderful. Of course, some people leave without planning to return, but I still hope such decisions are not made because they have lost faith in Lithuania. You can be disillusioned with many things—politics and business—some of which may even be justified, as Lithuania certainly has room for improvement. But giving up on the country as a whole is not right. The feeling of homeland is irreplaceable.

That's why I believe it's crucial to support those who leave—because those who wish to return will do so, bringing back new experiences, skills, and a desire to contribute to Lithuania's development.

You frequently mention people leaving Lithuania. You lived abroad but decided to return. Why? What inspired you to come back and build your life in Lithuania? How do you now see your identity as a Lithuanian?

Yes, I spent five years in an English-speaking environment, and now I'm working on eliminating anglicisms from my speech and refining my Lithuanian identity—it's quite a challenge! (laughs)

I strongly feel my identity during national holidays. Before university, I never attended public celebrations, but now I fully understand that these gatherings—especially in today's context—bring people closer together. Being close to your people is a true value. Seeing their joy in what we have is truly inspiring. I think this realization comes with maturity.

I'm very interested in Lithuania's cultural history, especially the 17th century when the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was at the pinnacle of global culture. The historical facts that instil pride should inspire us to keep improving and to continue shaping that history.

You became a programmer and now work successfully in a Lithuanian-founded IT company, Adroiti Technologies, which operates in European and U.S. markets. How does Lithuania look to you today from your professional IT perspective? How are our IT specialists perceived abroad?

In the IT sector, Lithuania is highly regarded internationally for having top-tier IT specialists. The Dutch, French, Swiss, Germans, and British all hold us in high regard. The kinds of products that Lithuanian-founded companies can develop are truly impressive—and this is just the beginning. I believe we can continue to leverage this technological momentum because, even though we are a small country, we work very efficiently.

What about Lithuania's prospects in other areas?

The next ten years will be crucial for Lithuania, especially in terms of security. I truly hope that we will move in the right direction as a country in both defence and foreign policy—particularly in the latter, where we should focus more. I believe the best way to avoid conflict is to be prepared for it, so constant security preparedness is essential. We must allocate sufficient attention to this and not ignore it.

Immigration is another issue. Lithuania is not strong in this area and tends toward alienation. However, these issues must be addressed with respect for both sides, and contributions should come not only from the government but from every one of us. Lithuania should welcome people who do not pose a threat, who can contribute to our economy, and who will help build our country. By not accepting new people, we risk losing the force that could drive our progress.