How do you expect the Independence Day of the Republic of Latvia? With satisfaction, excitement, reflection?
I have always seen May 4th as a moment to look back a bit. In my opinion, this applies to almost all people who have experienced May 4th in various fields. I was still a high school student at the time, and of course those who voted for independence that day had completely different feelings than mine. No matter where everyone was at that moment and who they were, everyone has their own May 4th.
Above all, I see it as a reminder that people, working together, have managed to do something that many have never experienced – to restore an independent country. It is possible that it was a little different than proclaiming the Republic of Latvia in 1918.
At that time, there were national ideals, and everyone has their own perspective on them, but in any case, it is a moment to appreciate everything that has been done since the Awakening, since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on May 4, since the actual restoration of independence on August 21, 1991 – so that would protect it all and prevent it all from disappearing again.
This is the result of complex feelings: there are many good events, it is worth thinking about why many things did not work out as desired, but you also need to understand that nothing is self-evident and guaranteed. You have to see the good and think about how to protect it. What is wrong must be corrected.
34 years ago, when the Declaration of Independence was adopted, we could not imagine that we would be threatened with war. Now this threat of war is real.
Let’s remember that it was May 4, 1990, but already in January 1991, the time of the Barricades began. There was no guarantee that our Declaration of Independence would not be swept under the rug by our enemies. A warning light came on in January. Of course, Barricade time was full of romance for us high schoolers. We may have disturbed the serious people who were there with our presence. For a couple of days, we drove to the barricades from the Pumpuru secondary school. I won’t exaggerate my presence: we hit the town more to be present everywhere.
But seriously: nothing was taken for granted. Then in August the coup started and it was very serious. Then many realized that in order to see a country’s independence in the long term, much more must be done than simply declaring independence. No matter what we think, those people who were at the helm of the country in the 90s and achieved the withdrawal of the Russian armed forces from the country in a relatively short time, deserve a lot of thanks. After that, we joined NATO and the EU.
But there were moments when everything could have gone a completely different way. Remember the events of 1993 in Moscow, when the constitutional crisis took place in Russia, the events could have turned in a different direction even then. If that happened, I think it would be much more difficult for us already in the 90s.
I remember May 4, 1990 as a sunny day, everyone in Jurmala was watching TV – how the members of the Supreme Council were voting. And when it was counted, it seems, up to the 134th person who voted, there was a feeling that something had fundamentally changed. Going out into the street, you could still sense – no, nothing has changed. The realization that nothing was sunny or romantic came a few months later. I remember how on January 2, 1991, the OMON unit occupied the Press House by order of the Central Committee of the Latvian Communist Party. Nothing was simple, there were more and more complications. But in the main things everything was done right.
On the other hand, I remember that back then, in the early nineties, people’s trust in MPs was much higher than now.
We all know and see this very well. At that time, there was one big goal – restoration of independence. After that, opinions began to be divided: what exactly should the restored independent state be? The privatization process, which was not evaluated to the end, began, which – in the understanding of many people – was not really fair and transparent.
Currently, the opportunities to talk with the public have increased. At that time there was radio, TV. Now social networks are there for all of this – anyone can reach out to people. But to tell you the truth, talking, explaining and listening to opinions, and taking them into account, all of that has gone down. Are we estranged?
Yes, that great dream – independence – was achieved, and then the harsh reality of life began. It still continues. Now I come across it very often, especially during the pre-election period: MP candidates make promises, but then they turn out to be empty promises, because – there is no money! And people see this empty bidding. That’s why when I meet people, I always tell them: I won’t promise you anything at all.
However, we currently have a very important goal: despite all the shortcomings – to protect what we have. In addition, elections are coming – EP, local government and then the Saeima – so it is better to think more critically about who to vote for. Perhaps many people expect someone else to do something for them, but that expectation does not lead to change. You can, of course, sit at the computer and write an angry comment on the platform “X”, but one or even two posts will not change things.
And it is also impossible to change everything in one fell swoop. Let’s remember, many cheered when the Saeima was dismissed. Then everyone realizes that nothing is changed or improved with such techniques. There is no one magic wand. Small, sequential steps are needed. Things that are changed little by little, and then the big picture starts to change. Now the main task of the coming years is to protect independence and strengthen the country, to regain confidence and optimism. It won’t be easy!
It is a pity that it did not happen, that there were no consecutive, logical steps. Apparently, in most cases, the real statesmen were not at the helm. And yet – immediately a holiday. What will you wish for the country and people of Latvia?
There are only two words in my mind: endurance and strength.
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