LT2022-aisiais sukako 640 metų, kai Lietuvos didžiojo kunigaikščio Kęstučio (1381–1382) kariuomenė, puldama Jurbarke stovėjusią kryžiuočių pilį, pirmą kartą panaudojo bombardas. Taigi 1382 m. laikomi Lietuvos artilerijos pradžia. Tačiau straipsnyje bus kalbama ne apie artilerijos veiksmus mūšyje, bet mažai nagrinėta tema – apie artilerijos saliutavimą valstybinių švenčių metu ir minint žymesnes istorijos datas. Seniai žinoma, kad, gaudžiant artilerijos pabūklams, iš jų iššauti sviediniai neša mirtį. Tačiau būna ir išimčių – kai iš vamzdžio sklinda tik drebinantis garsas su šviesiai pilkų dūmų kamuoliais, žmonėms sukuriama įspūdinga šventinė nuotaika. Artilerijos saliutavimas – tai iškilminga pasveikinimo ar pagerbimo forma artilerijos pabūklų salvėmis, paprastai skiriamomis svarbiems valstybės asmenims pagerbti, šventėms ar sukaktims paminėti, valstybės vėliavos pakėlimui prie reprezentacinių pastatų ar kariniame laive, įplaukiančiame į kitos valstybės uostą, paskelbti. Artilerijos šventinė salvė – tai sutartinė šūvių papliūpa. Straipsnyje pristatoma apžvalginė artilerijos pabūklų šventinių saliutų Lietuvoje istorija. Pagrindiniai žodžiai: artilerija, pabūklas, saliutas, salvė, Kauno karo istorijos klubas. [Iš leidinio]
ENIn 1382, the army, led by the Lithuanian ruler Kęstutis, attacked the castle of the Teutonic Order in Jurbarkas, and used bombards for the first time. This was the beginning of the development of Lithuanian artillery. Artillery was used not only in battles and sieges of fortresses, but also during festive salutes. Probably one of the first (at least known) festive salutes was made in April 1498, in Vilnius, at the Fish Market. Festive salutes were used throughout the state. They were used to congratulate rulers and their families on birthdays and anniversaries, and nobles did the same in their palaces and castles. Salutes were performed in celebration of state and religious holidays, congratulating the commanders of the Lithuanian army who achieved victories in battles and the nobles who became the governors of Vilnius. During the salute, not one or two, but dozens of cannons were fired from morning to evening. By the way, cannon volleys were often accompanied by the pealing of church bells; therefore, almost all the inhabitants of that city or town participated in the celebrations. In 1795, after Austria, Prussia, and Russia destroyed the united state of Lithuania, Poland – Both Nations, these states were practically erased from the maps of Europe. Artillery salutes were performed by occupying troops. After the restoration of the state of Lithuania in 1918, its army, festive salutes were mainly performed during military parades held during public holidays, or salutes to the warship of another state that arrived at the port of Klaipėda.The occupiers’ salutes thundered when the Soviet Union occupied Lithuania in 1940–1941, 1945–1990, and fascist Germany in 1941–1945. Finally, in 1990 and after the restoration of the state and its army, the national festive salutes which commemorate the statehood of our nation and other important dates for the state, also came to life. Festive salutes have become attractive to people; they like and greet the volleys with thunderous applause. Festive salutes with the participation of artillery guns must be preserved for the future as it is part of the festive heritage of our state. [From the publication]