The UBA-BATUN "B-Arrow" Logo

In June of 1966, the board of UBA-BATUN announced a contest to fashion an emblem for the organization, that had been founded earlier that year. Sixty-nine entries were received from around the world. A jury consisting of distinguished artists: Prof. Augusts Annus, Paulius Jurkos, Mr. Lind, Kazimieras Žoromskis, and UBA-BATUN board members Msgr. John Balkunas and Rev. Norbert Trepša made the final selection on January 28, 1967. The judgment was not easy as many of the entries were visually attractive and artistically compelling. Some of the more beautiful designs had to be dropped from consideration because they contained the colors of all three Baltic flags and using them in a letterhead would have made printing costs prohibitive. The jury accorded first prize, and with it the privilege of seeing the entry adopted as UBA-BATUN's symbol, to Mr. Ilmārs Rumpēters. The jury awarded the second prize to Mrs. Ausma Darznieks and third prize to Mrs. Nina Jurseviks.

Mr. Ilmārs Rumpēters winning design consists of a red circle inside which is a white letter "B", with an arrow, facing left coming out of the left side of the letter "B". Mr. Rumpēters, a professional graphic artist, who also designed the logos of the American Latvian Association and of the World Federation of Free Latvians, included the following explanation of the significance of his design.

The red circle surrounding the letter B, symbolizes the enslavement and domination of the Baltic States by Soviet Russia.

The white letter "B" stands for the "Baltic" nations. The three horizontal white bars of the letter "B", represent, from north to south, the countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. This symbolizes that each of these nations has its own unique identity as defined by language, culture, history and religion. The bars connect together to unite the letter B on the right side. This shows that the Baltic nations are united for one and the same purpose, to free themselves from Communist oppression and Russian domination. This also symbolizes that together, these three nations have a common Baltic identity in their geographic proximity, their cultural cross fertilization, and in the many common aspects of their histories over the centuries.

The arrowhead emerging from the back, or left side, of the letter "B" points westward, symbolizing the determination of the Baltic nations to break out of their Soviet encirclement and rejoin the free world.

Note: Much of the history of the UBA-BATUN logo cited above is excerpted from page 21 of a booklet, BATUN, 1966-1976 published to mark the ten year anniversary of UBA-BATUN and edited by Andres Juriado.

Why does UBA-BATUN still use this symbol today?

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania regained their independence in August of 1991 and were admitted to the United Nations as the following month. The Soviet Union itself formally broke up and ceased to exist on December 25, 1991. All three Baltic nations became full members of the NATO alliance and the European Union in 2004. The Baltic nations have made tremendous progress over the last decade in reestablishing themselves as free, independent and democratic countries with free market economies.

Today, the UBA-BATUN "B-Arrow" logo reminds us that Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were occupied by the USSR from 1945 to 1991 and thus isolated from the rest of Europe and the Free World. The legacy of that occupation has left many problems and issues that are still being dealt with. UBA-BATUN is dedicated to helping resolve some of these remaining problems. The logo is also a reminder that the past injustices visited on the Baltic peoples must never be forgotten.

Lastly, we should all remember that not very long ago there were many people who thought that Estonia's, Latvia's and Lithuania's aspirations of regaining independence and rejoining Western Europe were nothing but romantic dreams which had nothing to do with the realities of the day. Thus the logo is now a reminder of what Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians working together can achieve, and that impossible dreams can indeed be made to come true!

© United Baltic Appeal, Inc., 2004-2006. The information on this site may be freely printed out, as well as quoted and distributed, on condition that the UBA-BATUN www.batun.org web pages are cited as the source.