In March 2015 the Lithuanian government reintroduced military conscription in a move that was met with mixed reactions from the public. Around 3,000 will be drawn randomly each year from a list of 37,000 eligible men aged 19–26 compiled by the country’s Ministry of National Defence.
Neringa Rekasiute and Beata Tiskevic-Hasanova's photo project They Won the Lottery is a reaction to the new law; it depicts young men in military uniform, crying, alongside their comments about masculinity.
"We wanted to show how dangerous gender expectations are: A man is expected to be rational, emotionless and aggressive. It is very important that we, as a society, allow men to express their emotions and not force a stereotypical archaic role onto them." – Neringa Rekasiute
Jaunius, 18
"A gun in your hands doesn’t define your manliness." – Jaunius
Denisas, 23
"In today’s free society there is no space for coercion. Compulsory things should be the ones you choose with your free will." – Denisas
Jegor, 25
"Only when fighting do you lose." – Jegor
Edvinas, 17
"Can you imprison a man’s choice and call it free living?" – Edvinas
Justas, 27
"The army is a waste of time. How many more soldiers do we need?" – Justas
Martynas, 22
"It’s manly to be able to choose for yourself." – Martynas
Mindaugas, 25
"When I was still at school, conscript army was removed. I was very happy then, but when I look back, I realise it was a better time to go to the army than it would be now when I have my own agency and when I have created jobs for other people – I need to look after all of it." – Mindaugas
Vytautas, 27
"The army won’t make a man out of you – if you are a dumbass, you will always be a dumbass." – Vytautas
Lukas, 25
" If I was called to the army, I would try to find a way to avoid it. I have a wife, we are so good together and family for me is first. We have created so much, I wouldn’t want to leave it." – Lukas
Danas, 28
"In my opinion, the archaic times when a man was supposed to kill a buffalo and drag it home to his family are long over. I think that army is not a bad thing in general, but a compulsory one is definitely not a good thing either." – Danas
Rokas, 17
"It is manly to work for your goals and ideas, and defend your values. I guess, everyone can go to the war, but the army is not for everyone." – Rokas
Vytenis, 18
" I could go to the army. Sometimes I lack courage and stamina to do things. The army is good if you can handle it. I was inspired by my friend, a girl, who became a voluntary soldier." – Vytenis
Justas, 18
"The real strength is the ability to make your own mind. Let us be strong." – Justas
Dominykas, 26
"It’s my choice what kind of man I want to be." – Dominykas