Celebrating the so-called “Victory Day” on May 9 has been prohibited by law since last year. In Zemgale, most visitors to these events have come to terms with it and do not try to break the law. However, this part of the society cannot accept that all over Europe, the fallen in the Second World War are commemorated on May 8, so they go to the graves of the Brothers with bouquets of flowers and candles today. The reason that the date of the end of the Second World War differs between Europe and Russia is that the German capitulation act was signed at a time when it was already May 9 in Russia.
Since May 9, 1997, Europe Day has been celebrated in Latvia, but many people still live according to another country’s calendar, today commemorates the end of the Second World War.
Since 2023, it is prohibited by law to hold events glorifying and justifying Russian war crimes on May 9 in Latvia. In the station park in Jelgava, where the so-called “Victory Day” has always been celebrated, which brought occupation to Latvia for many decades, there is silence this morning. Only the policemen are monitoring the former scene, they are helped by the rain. A different scene unfolds in the graves of the brothers. In the Norauku cemetery in Jelgava, where those who died in the Second World War are buried, people burn candles and lay flowers. It is not forbidden, as long as aggression is not glorified, but the presence of the police is felt here as well. The people who came are speechless. Most of those who were approached do not want to answer why the fallen were not honored yesterday – May 8 – when the day of the destruction of Nazism is celebrated throughout Europe.
Another lady says that her father is also sleeping here. She has no objection to May 8 either, but she is not used to that date.
There is activity in the graves of the Dobele brothers as well. Tulips, daffodils, and carnations lie near the monument and graves. From time to time, the police also observe what is happening in the cemeteries, but – just like in Jelgava – people avoid answering why they came there today.
Another man says that he found a brother of his last name in these cemeteries, which is why he came here from Jelgava. Jurijs, a visitor to the Dobele Brothers’ graves from Jelgava: “Their day was yesterday, when they celebrated the end of the Second World War. Maybe I’m late, but better late than never. I also have nothing against celebrating this day on May 8. In principle, you can do both.”
Our observations today show that those gathered at the cemeteries are not trying to break the law, and are most likely resigned to the fact that “Victory Day” is no more. However, it seems that for another year, 9 May will be the date on which some celebrate Europe Day, while others mark the end of the Second World War.
