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The legend of Lithuania’s Iron Wolf (master)

Natochannel

Sept. 6, 2023 | 1:40

Lithuania’s Iron Wolf brigade takes its name from a medieval legend about a mythical creature and the founding of Vilnius. Today, it plays an important part in Lithuania’s contribution to NATO’s collective defence.
Synopsis
The Lithuanian “Iron Wolf” Mechanised Infantry Brigade takes its name from the mythical creature of Gediminas’ dream. Legend has it, Gediminas, the Grand Duke of Lithuania, was on a hunting trip and had an unusual dream of an iron wolf standing and howling on top of a mountain. The Grand Duke’s wise men interpreted this as a meaning that a great city should be built there. The Grand Duke was then inspired to found the city on the Vilnia River in 1323, which eventually became modern-day Vilnius.
Today, the Iron Wolf brigade makes up the core unit of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and plays an important part in Lithuania‘s contribution to NATO’s collective defence. For the Lithuanian Armed Forces, the iron wolf is a sign of strength and vigilance, where everyone should know the Lithuanians are ready to stand guard to defend Lithuania and NATO Allies against any aggression.
Transcript
TRANSCRIPT (AUDIO AND TEXT ON SCREEN)

--SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH)—
Colonel Aurelijus Motiejūnas
Commander, Iron Wolf brigade

‘The Legend of Iron Wolf came
from the 13th century when one of our Grand Dukes, who was called Gediminas
he had a hunting season in the vicinity of contemporary Vilnius. And during one night
when he had a dream, he dreamt of an iron wolf standing on a hill and howling.

The next day he asked his wise men ‘What does it mean?’ And his wise men said that ‘Look, Duke, you have to build here a castle which will turn into the strong, famous city’.

— TEXT ON SCREEN —
VILNIUS

LOWERTHIRD
Colonel Aurelijus Motiejūnas
Commander, Iron Wolf brigade

--SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH)—
Colonel Aurelijus Motiejūnas
Commander, Iron Wolf brigade

‘So Iron Wolf brigade was a kind of training unit after Lithuania got independence. And that training unit in 1992 started to build actually Iron Wolf brigade. So it's already past 30 years and the brigade now it is as it is.

Spirit of the wolf, first of all, it is a symbol for us.
Because it is iron, we have to be iron.
Or made from iron, meaning strong.

And ‘howling on the hill’ meaning that everyone should know that we are ready for our country’s protection.

Iron Wolf brigade, and of course, all the Lithuanian Armed Forces, we are a part of NATO, a big community of our Allies.

So our motto ‘ Tėvynės laisvei ir garbei’
(for homeland, freedom and honour) means that we are ready for sacrifice and we are ready to defend our homeland.

— TEXT ON SCREEN —
This video contains Thomson Reuters copyrighted library material licensed by NATO, and cannot be used as part of a new production without consent of the copyright holder. Please contact Thomson Reuters to clear this material.

END
Music
The Challenge Vocal Lead by Elias Fraumeni
Voices From the Past Vocal Lead by Hopkins Mahoney
Usage rights
This media asset is free for editorial broadcast, print, online and radio use. It is restricted for use for other purposes. This video contains Thomson Reuters copyrighted library material licensed by NATO which cannot be used as part of a new production without consent of the copyright holder. Please contact Thomson Reuters to clear this material.

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