Gian Luca Demarco on Life in Lithuania: He Speaks Openly About What Angers Him

Italian-born Gian Luca Demarco, who has built a life and career in Lithuania over many years, finds deep appreciation for the country's natural beauty and the tranquility it offers. He dreams of owning a lakeside property, envisioning a life immersed in the Lithuanian countryside, a stark contrast to the bustling pace of his native Italy.

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You talk, but what do you do? I joined the Riflemen's Union, I have been volunteering in the army for eleven years. I have many Lithuanian friends who are not even preparing to do so. They say: 'When the time comes – we will prepare.' His... When the time comes, you will be the first to be shot if you don't know how. I am angry about this.

Despite his affection for Lithuania, Demarco admits certain aspects of life there cause him significant frustration. He is particularly critical of what he perceives as a lack of urgency among some Lithuanians regarding national defense. "You talk, but what do you do?" he questioned, contrasting his own eleven years of volunteer service in the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union with the complacency he observes in some friends. He expressed anger at the attitude of waiting until a threat is imminent, stating, "When the time comes, you will be the first to be shot if you don't know how."

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We need a metro in Vilnius. Why? We will hide there, we will ride without traffic jams...

Demarco also pointed to public transport in the capital, Vilnius, as an area ripe for improvement, advocating strongly for the construction of a metro system. He dismissed arguments that the city is unprepared, drawing parallels with London's historical development and highlighting Rome's approach to integrating archaeological finds into its metro stations. "If your history stops your future, it means history has not taught you enough," he asserted, urging a forward-looking perspective.

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If your history stops your future, it means history has not taught you enough. We need to accept who we are now and move forward.

Reflecting on his deep involvement in Lithuanian societal issues, Demarco stated he does not envision a political career, believing firmly in the sentiment "Lithuania for Lithuanians." He accepts this reality, acknowledging that as a foreigner, he cannot fully comprehend Lithuania's history and experiences in the same way a native can. He also observed a national tendency to quickly develop dissatisfaction with elected governments, a tradition he finds unique.

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But I couldn't be a politician. I still believe that Lithuania is for Lithuanians.