It’s so exciting that people remember Peter (“Dzirkstele.lv”, 04.05.2015) – Gulbene district – Dzirkstele.lv

For Anastasija Gabranova from Gulbeni, May 4 has always been a holiday in her heart throughout the 25 years of Latvia’s restored independence. Especially because her spouse Pēteris Gabranov was among those members of the Supreme Council who voted for a free and independent Latvian state.

On Tuesday, at the memorial moment dedicated to A.Gabranova’s husband, which took place at the Gulbene cemetery, representatives of the “May 4th Declaration Club” society received a special commemorative sign with the inscription “My voice for Latvia”. The association presents such a sign to the relatives of all former members of the Supreme Council, who are no longer alive, for inclusion in the tombstone. Yesterday, April 29, on P. Gabranova’s 74th birthday, the people of Lejas also placed flowers on his grave in the Gulbene cemetery.

The memorial, whose sketch was authored by former member of the Supreme Council, architect Leonids Alksnis, was presented by the representatives of the “4th of May Declaration Club” – former members of the Supreme Council: the head of the association Juris Karlsons, Velta Čebotarenoka, Aleksandrs Kiršteins, Pēteris Simsons and Aivars Berķis. They emphasized that the memory of P. Gabranov is still honored, now thanks are said that on May 4, 1990, he also helped to capture the greatest wish of the Latvian people in the Declaration of Independence. Former member of the Supreme Council Andris Apinītis also participated in the memorial event at Gulbene cemetery, our other member of parliament Sarmis Mednis could not attend.

“It was a thrilling moment, because it showed that people remember P. Gabranova, what he did together with other members of the Supreme Council at that time 25 years ago. Emotions cannot be expressed in words. Next week, I will contact the stonemason Valdi Porieti and together we will figure out how to embed the memorial in P.Gabranova’s tombstone,” says A.Gabranova.

Anastasija Gabranova remembers: “Peter was in the Supreme Council in Riga on May 4, 1990, but the economic activity of the collective farm “Rainis” rested on my shoulders at that time. It was not easy. I remember that May 4 was associated with the uncertainty of what will happen in the future, which will have to be rearranged. On the morning of May 4, we all gathered in the mechanical workshops of the kolkhoz. in Sinole. We had already received news from the chairman of the collective farm, P. Gabranova, that the Declaration of Independence had been approved and signed. We were all excited about the freedom. We understood that it is necessary to continue working, because no policy can exist without economic activity. It was not easy. It was a time when there was also a crisis in people’s thinking. I remember that at that time we let people choose: if you all want to work together, then let’s work. If you don’t want to, we won’t work, but the people of our farm chose to stay together. People of that generation did not want to cut everything like a knife just because Latvia is free and independent again. When privatization began, we agreed that each collective farmer would own three hectares of land, the remaining areas would be jointly owned. Unfortunately, there were people who immediately wanted to prove something themselves, but in a couple of years they didn’t prove anything. Spoiled. I believe that our people were reasonable and saw that the leadership did not take anything for itself. All people had jobs. The small farms are full of livestock. However, the operation of the farm was extremely affected by the monetary reform, especially when the transition to lats took place. However, we held on because people believed in collective farming.”

Fulfilled a dream
She reveals that she was able to fulfill a dream in connection with May 4. “In 2007, when the people of the chartered company said goodbye to their chairman, and I said goodbye to my husband, we had to think about who would take his place to manage the farm. I agreed to stand in for my husband and promised people that I would fix everything within a year. I thought it would really only be a year, but three years passed. In 2007, I had a dream in honor of the 4th of May to give the people of the society an additional payment for their work. This dream came true only in 2010, when a few days before the May 4th holiday, I paid an additional salary to all employees. Before that, I coordinated everything with the State Revenue Service. The statutory company had no debts. Also, all taxes were paid, so there were no claims from the state authority either. I had fulfilled my three-year-long dream in honor of Latvia’s freedom, for which our chairman P.Gabranovs also fought,” says A.Gabranova. Today, she only rarely looks at photos of her husband. These are too painful memories, it has been too hard to accept his passing over the years.

Does not know how to manage money
Speaking about the feelings caused by 25 years of independence, A.Gabranova considers Latvia’s entry into the European Union and especially NATO as the main benefit. “What I don’t like the most is that the government of Latvia has changed so often in these years. It reminds me of once backward collective farms where boss after boss was replaced. When the renewed independent state of Latvia was formed, the Supreme Council, which voted for the declaration of independence, gave up its functions too quickly, although it had knowledgeable and economical people. Unfortunately, we still haven’t learned how to use the big money that Europe gives to Latvia. However, those millions are spent here and there. Years pass, and it is concluded that you wasted it wrongly,” says A. Gabranova.

Everyone has their own sense of celebration
She also reveals her inner feelings related to the events in Ukraine, not hiding that she is worried about it. Consolation is found in the knowledge that Latvia is a member of NATO. “The leader of the neighboring superpower and the supporters of his views have no humanity. They know no boundaries. How can you kill people and lie to the whole world?” Anastasia expresses indignation. “At a time when everyone should be united, our politicians only try to “cut” each other, argue. Should the neighbor behave like that, or should Liepiņš act like that? If a person is not guilty, it must be openly proven. If you are guilty, then apologize and step aside. Often do not understand why we have so many squeakers? It is necessary to do one’s work in good faith, both in the city and in the countryside,” says A.Gabranova.
“This time of change has passed through my thoughts and blood. I have told my daughters and grandchildren a lot about it. The youngest daughter lives and works in Germany with her family. I had recently gone to visit. I often think how different people’s destinies are, how different the fate is for each country, each thing.”

– Malda Ilgaža