Latvia celebrates the 34th anniversary of the restoration of independence / Article

Military parade in Rezekne

Continuing the tradition of organizing the National Armed Forces (NBS) Day on May 4 in one of the regions of Latvia, today the Freedom Celebration with the NBS military parade was held in Rēzekne, and you could also watch Air Force demonstrations.

Residents interviewed on the streets of the city admitted that the military parade creates a special sense of celebration in the city. Celebrations in the city take place throughout the day.

Defense Minister Andris Spruds (“Progressives”) stated in his speech that the cruel war carried out by Russia in Ukraine is a sharp reminder of how fragile the fire of freedom is. He emphasized that when celebrating the Independence Day of the Republic of Latvia, it is necessary to clearly realize that the world is unstable, changing, and freedom is not a self-evident value. “We must all be constantly on the lookout for this,” emphasized Spruds, adding that the cornerstone of Latvia’s security is also NATO membership.

The minister also expressed that Latvia’s security depends on how united the society is in its faith and readiness to defend itself. “It’s our shared responsibility,” Sprude said.

At the same time, the Minister of Defense expressed his gratitude to the soldiers, national guardsmen and youth guards for participating in the parade and defending the country. The participants of the parade, by their example, patriotism and selflessness, inspire everyone to defend national values.

“You are inspiring with your will and willingness to defend and protect the country. We all need to think and act from a position of courage and conviction, not from a position of fear,” Sprud said.

Flowers for Latvia lie at the Freedom Monument

Celebrating the 34th anniversary of the restoration of the Independence of the Republic of Latvia, today the highest officials of the country laid flowers at the Freedom Monument.

However, every guest of the festival could create “Flower Latvia” at the Freedom Monument, filling the outline of the map of Latvia with spring flowers.

CONTEXT:

On May 4, 1990, 138 out of 201 members of the Supreme Council adopted the declaration “On the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Latvia”. The Supreme Council set a transitional period for the “de facto” restoration of state power, which ended with the convocation of the 5th Saeima of the Republic of Latvia.

On May 4, 1990, thousands of people stood in front of the parliament building all day, watching the vote. Deputies who, after the vote on restoring Latvia’s independence, went to a rally in Daugavmala, were greeted with flowers and loud cheers. Communists and Interfrontians, who refused to participate in the vote, left the parliament building through the back door.

On May 4, 1990, the Chairman of the Supreme Council, Anatoly Gorbunov, sent a message to the President of the USSR, Mikhail Gorbachev, stating that the Republic of Latvia was entering a transition period. Such a message was also sent to the governments of the countries of the world and to the peoples and democratic movements of the USSR.