“I am guilty of speaking Russian” – language scandal in the trolleybus stirred Lithuania 0 11

As reported by Lithuania's national media LRT, Belarusian activist Andrei Pauk, who has been living in Lithuania for five years and works as a trolleybus driver in Vilnius, refused to speak Lithuanian with the dispatcher of the trolleybus depot and published a recording of the incident on social media.

He stated that it is the dispatcher’s duty to assist drivers in operating the trolleybuses, not to teach them the Lithuanian language.

“I admit my guilt – I am guilty of not speaking Lithuanian. But the dispatcher should help the drivers, as almost everyone there speaks Russian. Her job is not to teach me Lithuanian, but to assist me as a driver,” Pauk said.

Later on Facebook, the blogger wrote that “the conflict with the dispatcher was internal, arose from a misunderstanding, and had no political, let alone radical, goals.”

Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas called the Belarusian's actions “absolutely unacceptable” and emphasized that this way the newcomer showed disrespect for the Lithuanian language and the employees of the trolleybus depot.

The mayor noted that this case showed that “the state prefers to turn a blind eye” to the problems of integrating foreigners in Lithuania. According to him, there is still no clear model for how newcomers should learn the Lithuanian language and take exams, although starting next year, all service sector workers will be required to speak Lithuanian.”

It is worth recalling that a couple of days ago, Mayor Benkunskas demanded that the persecuted singer Morgenshtern be included in the “black list.”

Additionally, the Seimas of Lithuania adopted amendments to the Law on the State Language in October last year, according to which, starting in 2026, manufacturers, sellers, and service providers will be required to provide consumers with basic information about goods and services in the Lithuanian language. Just like in Latvia.