Celebrating 20 years in the European Union

On May 1, rays of light shone in the colors of the European Union (EU) flag in Cēsis, and in honor of Latvia’s 20th anniversary in the European Union, a video about Latvia and our benefits as part of the EU was shown on a large-format screen for twelve hours at the “Cēsis” concert hall in Vidzeme.

The video reminded us that 20 years ago we joined the European Union, thereby confirming our values: respect, equality, unity in diversity and also the understanding that democracy is not self-evident. Also, the video emphasized that Europe begins here – in Latvia, in every city, county, village, in every meadow, in our forests, and together with the EU we become greener, smarter and stronger.

“Druva” addressed the residents they met, asking how they assess Latvia’s need to be a part of the EU. Cēsniece Rasma is of a respectable age and expressed with full confidence: “It is good that we are in the European Union, it is safer for us. Let’s see what is happening in Ukraine. What could we, such a small handful of residents, do if something like this happened to us. On a daily basis, I am not connected with projects and programs that come from the European Union, there are others who think about it. But even 20 years ago, when we had to vote, I had no doubts about how to vote.”

Priekulites Paulīna Sukaruk, Vanda Riemer and Dzintra Freimane celebrated the holiday in Līgatne and then came to Cēsis to see the installation. All of them consider that being in the EU is very necessary, and it also opens up wonderful opportunities to get to know European and world culture. Wanda Riemer says: “You can go on trips freely, and we also have common money. Children can go to study abroad, there are also family members who live abroad, this is the reality that many of us are currently experiencing and where we use the opportunities of the European Union.”

Dzintra Freimane agrees that young people have the best and the greatest opportunities, that was also a good motivation for them to learn English, because they saw the need for it. Paulina Sukaruka adds: “As a good person of the last century, I had a hard time with the language barrier in the European Union, but we are trying hard and learning. 20 years ago, when the talks about the European Union started, the Latvians, having gained their freedom, felt so powerful and cool that they seemed to be able to do everything themselves, so there were divided opinions when we entered. But now, especially knowing what the situation is in the world, I really appreciate that we are part of the EU, that we are supported and understood.”

Vanda Riemer also says that very soon after the regaining of independence, she had the opportunity to go to Sweden, live with a family and see everyday life: “I really liked how they lived, both the household and the observance of the law, the order in the schools, as well as the care for the elderly.” Dzintra Freimane believes that we still have a lot to learn from Europe regarding the care of senior citizens: “In the nineties, when I was in Germany, I saw that a senior citizen can go to an institution with his belongings, furniture, he has his own private nurse, doctors around the clock. We still have a long way to go before that.”

“Druva” also met young Ukrainians Anastasia Shmatoka and Masha Nevolnichenko at the installation, who have been living in Cesis for two years. They admit that they don’t know much about the European Union, but they appreciate that Latvians are very kind, nice and welcoming, and they also really like Cēsis, because the city, like their hometown, is small and very beautiful. The girls study at a Ukrainian school remotely, but the adult members of the family have found work in Cesis.

Jolanta and her husband had also come from the countryside to see the installation. They admit that they had imagined the installation to be larger, along the entire wall of the concert hall. They believe that being in the EU offers good opportunities for travel, education for young people, and support for the countryside. However, Jolanta’s husband, looking at the screen that says we are becoming greener, says: “I categorically disagree. There are various claims, but they are far from reality for a greener approach. I can’t say that everything is good, there are also many bad things, but probably there is a little more good.” On the other hand, Jolanta adds that it is difficult to understand that we have been in the European Union for 20 years.

In Latvia, such a light campaign was also held in Riga, Liepāja and Rēzekne, but in total in 16 other EU countries, where objects of national and regional importance were illuminated in honor of the most ambitious anniversary of the EU enlargement.