Atbalsti savējos
Remember those burglars which were crawling like spiders on the Press' building?
They had been putting banner of extremely right-wing party TB/LNNK with slogan Atbalsti savējos (Support yours)
[Un]fortunately huge sheet was blown to tatters, just after several hours they put it :)
I personally don't like neither extremely right nor extremely left wing political parties.
Also, check TB/LNNK quite funny provocative video (with Russian subtitles)
Labels: ads, buildings, kipsala, latvian, media, politics, skyscrapers
People Reaction (12)
I also don't support extremist groups from both sides (and I really don't like that these groups are politically active at my university).
At least, nothing "bad" happened (in comparison to burglars).
TB/LNNK is NOT an "extremely right-wing party"!
They are conservative nationalists.
There are no extreme parties either left or right wing in Latvia. Yet. Thanks God for that.
Again it shows up that the author of this blog is Russian. It is hard to hide political sympathies, isn't it?
Russian press - which is mostly owned by supporters and partners of Left Wing Russian Nationalist party "PCTVL" (better known by their Russian name "ЗаПЧЕЛ") - usually describes "TB/LNNK" as "ultranationalists", because it fits their (PCTVL) political agenda. Brainwashing their Russian speaking audience, which often does not speak other languages and so do not get different information form alternative sources.
If we would agree that "TN/LNNK" are "extreme right", then we have to agree, that "PCTVL" are "extreme left", especially taking into account aggressive "Direct Action" campaigns organized by their supporters.
Yes, talking about video.
I do not like this video of "TB/LNNK". Though, seemingly, it only promotes supporting local producers, it is silly and useless and may be insulting to some. I was surprised to see it made like this.
"TB/LNNK" is an old and respectable party, one of those which regained independence of the country. So such a move was puzzling and disappointing for me - a sign of old age, kind-of.
Though there are more extreme examples from the other end of spectrum.
Moscow propaganda crew recently came to Latvia and made an extremely biased film about how good it was to live in Soviet Union, how USSR was "feeding" Latvia (though it was the other way around, actually) and how bad it is now, when Latvia is in European Union.
People of PCTVL ("ЗаПЧЕЛ") were the main "experts" to praise Soviet Union and despise of Latvia.
Interviews were included which were so heavily edited, that their new meaning was a surprise to those who gave the interviews. You can see a news segment about this, with Russian subtitles, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_d5DdkiRtI
So,the film, while being basically a fake, still was a great success on Russian TV and amongst Soviet-nostalgic Russian speaking audience here.
Lately PCTVL ("ЗаПЧЕЛ"), which, possibly, can be described as Neo-Soviets and Greater-Russian Chauvinists, have become increasingly active in collaboration with Extreme Left "Russophiles" in other European countries, be that old Socialist from Italy or stark raving mad Soviet apologist from Finland, forming a network. And all that is supported and coordinated by Russian Federation. Doesn't it seem familiar? Comintern, anyone?
The position of other, more popular, Russian party "Saskanas Centrs", though more moderate, still shares the same platform - praising Soviet period and pushing for Russification of Latvia.
So, if complaining of "extremism" - there are more urgent cases to start with, than "TB/LNNK" with their silly "Support locals!" advertisement. But they are overlooked here for some reason.
Thus it is rather sad for me, as a citizen of Latvia, who has experienced Soviet period, to see a reflection of these political views here, in a seemingly innocent caption of a photo.
P.S.
I suggested once that author keeps politics off this blog. Seems that my suggestion was not appreciated.
-- cron quote ---
If we would agree that "TN/LNNK" are "extreme right", then we have to agree, that "PCTVL" are "extreme left"
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Deal! There is nothing good I can tell about "PCTVL" ("ЗаПЧЕЛ")
And it is not hard for me to hide political sympathies. I am much more political neutral compare to you.
I am Latvian, and if I don't share views with you, it doesn't make me Russian.
It seems that for you "Russian" is synonym to word evil.
"Deal!" - Good!
"I am Latvian" - In terms of citizenship, I guess, as too many things hint that you aren't. But that is a personal matter, so possibly we should not discuss that.
"It seems that for you "Russian" is synonym to word evil" - No. Especially, taking into account how many meanings this word can have. Though many are working hard for it to be so, for example Soviets then, and Putin and "PCTVL" ("ЗаПЧЕЛ") and the like now. Just like hating Nazis does not mean that you hate Germans.
Russian war in Georgia under pretext of defending Russian citizens and threatening other countries with similar procedure and cheerful support for this amongst the "Russophones" here; self-proclaimed "defendants" of "Russian speakers" in Latvia claiming that Latvian state is evil and has to be dismantled, fighting against use of Latvian language, advocating Soviet crimes; drunk Russian youths on old Soviet holiday of 9th of May driving around with flags of Imperial Russia, shouting "Russiya, Russiya" and showing fists to those, who have flags of the country they live in; etc. and so on - all that though certainly contributes to the word "Russian" semantically drifting for many people worldwide into direction of the word "evil". Too much of a negative publicity and too little of the positive one.
Especially virtual inability to separate Soviet identity from one's ethnic Russian roots often seems to be a problem. I hope that it will change in time, but probably not very soon.
I still think it is a good idea to stay away from politics in a supposedly apolitical blog, just to avoid discussions like this. Possibly we might have used this time for something more pleasant.
http://riga.in is about daily life in Riga, so when politics becomes part of daily life in Riga, it becomes in focus of this blog as well.
Political situation in Latvia is split in two big blocks nearly hating each other, so this discussion is just a good reflection of that split.
My aim is to make city and country a little bit better and this photo-article is made against extremal movements. My consideration is that any extreme form doesn't bring anything good in general.
Bad coincidence is that this photo is more against than for your deep national views.
P.S. if you will feel better, next days I will try to put PCTVL in focus
Riga.in I love your blog. Check it every day. But can some one please explain to me, as an Australian what the deal is with the Russians? The original add referred to on you tube was discussed on English Russia web forum.
All I got from the Russians on this website was how politically corrupt the Latvian's are and how oppressed they are? If Russians don't like living in Latvia why don't they go home? When I suggested this on English Russian, all I copped was how intolerant Australians are, because we are asking new migrants to speak English? Can we see a common theme?
Any how love your blog and want so desperately to visit Latvia one day. Any chance we could have some pictures of Trains and trams? Think I have worked out how to get to the freedom monument from the train station. Oh and my favourite fetish is hot Latvian cops, although I have never found one as hot as the one we have here in Australia who is of Latvian decent. 6'4" 110 kilos, blue eyes blond hair, skin that burns in moonlight, ahhhhhhhhha
-> riga.in
OK. As I said once - it seems to me that you are trying hard to be neutral. Thank you! But sometimes something just pops up. Though you may say that I am overreacting. But I have my reasons.
I also believe that any extremism is harmful. And for that reason I am happy that, no matter what, our society has remained reasonably stable ever since restoration of independence.
-> angella
;) Believe me. You do not want to start this discussion here. Better keep it to English Russia. Result finally will wind up to be similar. Shouting and insults.
By the way, did you know, that the famous Crocodile Dundee from the movie was Latvian? I mean, actually his prototype was a Latvian guy, who after WWII emigrated to Australia to avoid Soviets taking over his country? He also had been soldier in Latvian Legion.
Have a nice weekend! :)
Your work is amazing, and your Daily moments - Absolutely stunning!
FM~FP
yes knew about crocodile Dundee, although that's not technically correct. He was a composite character made up from the exploits of a few Northern territory boys. Check out the website for the town of Dundaga, Latvia? (should I contact them and tell them their translation is wrong?) He's actually not that unique for Australia. We have quite a few old legionnaires, although they are dying now. My favourite mad Latvian is the dude in the U.S.A who levitated rocks and was the basis of the song 'sweet sixteen' by Billy Idol. Australia also had a Latvian who canoed here from Indonesia, then canoed home to fight for the Germans. Then I have my mad potential neighbour, who despite being born in Australia, displays his eastern European personality by causing trouble everywhere he goes. (he has a Latvian name but I think he's Russian) Dam pity cause he's hot. Damn hot.
Should you happen to know any Latvian who is 6'4" 110 kilos, blue eyes blond hair, skin that burns in moonlight, wishes to move to Australia and speaks no english please give him my contact details.
Would be helpful to me if he has a detailed knowledge of Russian fireplaces. Chainsaw will be supplied.
I keep the english russian forum in line by reminding them of the disgusting behaviour of the Siberian units in Germany and Lithuania, and the pogroms in Russia during the 1800's. Can't argue against history.
-> angella
Ha ha! :)
I like to read your comments. You seem funny and well informed.
I did not know about the fellow with canoe. Will have to do some research.
Did you know about this old Latvian man with surname Laime ("happyness"), who lived alone with his books in South America near the highest waterfall in the world Salto Ángel?
I guess if one would compile all the stories about what crazy Latvians have done over years, one would get a breathtakingly interesting book of adventures.
If I see a guy like you describe, I will definitely give him your contact details!
Cheers! :)