Independence Day: Parades, Borders and Conscience Checks

April 1 in Užupis is not a day of jokes, but a state celebration. More precisely, it is both: people in Užupis deliberately chose April Fools' Day for their independence celebration so that no one, not even they themselves, could be entirely sure how serious it all is. From that ambiguity comes the best day of the Republic's year.

During the Independence celebration, people decorate their homes with flags bearing the Republic's symbols. The day includes:

• Flag ceremony. The most honourable person of Užupis that year cuts a hole in the flag, which is raised on the country's main pole. The hole in the palm reminds everyone that Užupis cannot be possessed by anyone.
• Reception of the diplomatic corps and parades.
• Border control. Border posts open on the Malūnų, Užupis and Paupio bridges; travel documents and, as announced, conscience are checked. Border-crossing marks are stamped in passports.
• Announcement of a new honorary citizen (see Marks of honour).
• EuroUžas circulation. The Republic's currency is officially valid on this day (see Currency).
• Exhibitions and concerts in the Republic's squares, galleries and cafes.

The whole community is open to guests and initiatives on this day - Užupis belongs to everyone who arrives.

Every Independence Day has its own face: the first in 1998; the one when, in 2001, the first ambassadors presented credentials; the one when the Angel descended in 2002; the three-day celebration of 2019. This page will become an archive where each year receives a separate entry with photos, participants, the honorary citizen announced and events.

The question of dates and the first celebration year, 1997 or 1998, is discussed in the Timeline.

Further work: create a separate page for every year from the first celebration to today; include that year's honorary citizen, weather note, guests, photo and video galleries from the Užupis television archive.