This is a monument in Jelgava town, which is devoted to Independence fights in 1918-1920.
Writings like Jelgavas Atbrīvotājiem (For Liberators of Jelgava) always make me think..
What would be if Jelgava was not liberated?

Labels: independence, jelgava, monuments, spring, statues

November 18th is the National Day of Latvia. Today is 92 years since Latvia got independent first time.
During my absence in Latvia, the role of Riga photographer was taken by Mike.

Labels: flags, holidays, independence, nature

November 11th and its the day of Lacplesis.
Traditionally today Latvians come President's castle wall and put a candle.

Labels: events, fire, girls, holidays, independence, traditions, walls

Brāļu Kapi (Brothers' Cemetery) is a military cemetery in Ciekurkalns area, which is the last home for more than 2000 soldiers who had fought for the independence of Latvia between 1915 and 1920.
Cemetery was officially opened only in 1936, when grand memorial structures and garden decorations were ready.

Labels: cemeteries, ciekurkalns, doorways, independence, interwar, military, religious

20 Years ago Latvia, on 4 May of 1990, Latvia proclaimed the independence from Soviet Union.
Latvian republic regain its sovereignty, Latvian flags were hung out everywhere in the country.
The legend of the flag is that wounded soldier was wrapped in a white sheet. After he died and the body was removed, the sheet was saturated by blood, and the clean white strip was in the middle.

Labels: events, flags, history, holidays, independence, night, vecriga

Milda is the statue's name on the top of Brīvības piemineklis (Liberty Monument), which is erected on Brivibas bulvaris, in the very center of Riga.
The woman is holding three stars symbolizing freedom and three historical regions of Latvia - Kurzeme (including Zemgale), Latgale and Vidzeme.
Writing Tēvzemei un Brīvībai means For the Fatherland and the Freedom.
The monument is 42 meters high and was built in 1935 in the place of monument to Peter I the Great.
This photo is devoted to the Monthly Theme day, which is Statues. On photo there are two statues more at the bottom of monument. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.
BTW, today is International Labour Day and hence official holiday.

Labels: brivibas, center, holidays, independence, military, monuments, people, sights, statues, themes, writings

Kabata (Pocket) is a small underground theater and bar with dance floor at the night time.
This place is favourited by many artistic personalities of Latvian community.
Initially it was opened as the first non-government-controlled Latvian theater in Soviet Union, hence its full official name has prefix Independent theater.

Labels: art, bars, clubs, first, independence, latvian, nightlife, streets, theaters, vecriga

Traditional Lāpu gājiens (Torchlight Procession) took place yesterday late evening in Riga and was devoted to the 91st anniversary of independence of Latvia.
Usually it begins next to Karlis Ulmanis, then heads to Occupation museum and ends at Freedom monument.
Hundreds of patriots carrying a torch are led by Latvian nationalists' party.

Labels: events, fire, independence, lights, people, red, traditions

Military parade of Latvian Army at Riga embankment in honor of 91st Independence Day.
It seems that recently Latvia has visibly improved its armed forces with new equipment. I wonder why...
Also I always wonder why forested country has army wearing desert camouflage uniform :)

Labels: cars, events, government, helicopters, holidays, independence, jobs, military, people, streets, transport

Today on 11th of November is Lāčplēša diena.
Many people on this day come to Castle walls to put a candle in order to honour heroes of war for Liberation of Latvia from German army in 1919.

P.S. Unfortunately I haven't such a good camera, so the picture was taken from some news website :)

Labels: castles, events, fire, holidays, independence, lights, people, traditions, walls

Tank is being sculpted in Ilguciems, most probably, will be devoted to Latvian war of Independence (5 December 1918 - 11 August 1920).
Did you know that Latvia had produced their first tanks during the First World War already? At that time it was absolutely new product, which still was not available in the most of the world states.

Labels: buildings, first, ilguciems, independence, military, monuments, projects, wars

Today, on the 4th of May, is the day of adoption of the Declaration of independence of Latvia.
Basically it is the day when Latvia left Soviet Union and became independent again.
Many people in Latvia consider this day as the end of Occupation of Latvia.
On the photo you can see the Museum of Occupation of Latvia decorated to celebrate the occasion

Labels: holidays, independence, museums, vecriga

11. Novembra Krastmala (Embankment of 11th November) is a wide boulevard along Daugava river between Railway Bridge and Suspension Bridge.
Latvians commemorate at 11th November the victory over the Germans at the battle of Riga in 1919.
Those battles were for the Independence of Latvia.

Labels: buildings, daugava, independence, rivers, streets, vecriga

16 March is one of the controversial subjects in Latvia.
Briefly saying it is day to revere the memory of Latvian people who had fought during second world war.
The controversy is about what they had fought for: against Red Army or for Nazi SS or still for Independence of Latvia?
I guess at that time nobody knew which front is bad and which is even worse.
Latvia was in the middle of two big powers, so Latvians had joined different forces.
The war's aftermath is that Latvia had joined to Soviet Union and had lost its recently gained independence.
So nowadays the people who were fought against Soviet Army are being called as freedom fighters or Hitler's supporters
However, I would like to repeat, at that time nobody knew what is going to happen.


See also Latvian Legion Day in 2008

Labels: center, events, flags, independence, latvian, people, police, russian

This alley in the middle of Brivibas street is decorated in colors of Latvian Flag since Independence day.
Picture is taken from Freedom Monument side.

Labels: center, christmas, design, holidays, independence, lights, parks, streets, trees

Today is a big date in Latvia. 90 years since our country became independent from Russia and Germany.
At that time, in 1918 there was no such word Latvia at all. The country was formed from the lands belonging to two big neighbours, but the people was speaking in one Latvian language.
During that time Russia wanted to recover their authority on their former land.
And Germany wanted to create The United Baltic Duchy from territories where Latvia and Estonia are now. This Baltic Duchy would be under the German rule.
All their plans fell to the ground, because of people like Karlis Ulmanis, which made dreams about the country for Latvian people came true.

See last year fireworks on November 18.

Labels: daugava, events, fire, german, history, holidays, independence, latvian, lights, night, people, rivers, russian

Dienvidu Tilts (South Bridge) is open!
My warmest congratulations to everyone in Latvia, because this is the most important project in the country for the past 20 years!
Despite long building and dubious tests, Dienvidu Tilts looks now very elegant!
Since today Riga has 5 bridges over wide Daugava river.

By the way, this bridge is the gift to Latvian people for 90 years since Latvia is independent.

Labels: bridges, buildings, daugava, events, independence, lights, night, rivers

On 11 of November people fire candles and put them on the front wall of Riga Castle, from the side of 11th November str.
This tradition is to remember people died to liberate Riga in 1919.

Photo made by poppy.

Labels: castles, children, events, fire, holidays, independence, latvian, lights, people, walls

Military parade of Latvian army on Lāčplēsis Day showing Latvian forces.
It could be compared to Red Square Parade :)
Even for me, patriot of my country, it is funny to see those lumbering cabriolet technic waddling on Daugavpils streets.
From whom they could protect us? What kind of great power they want to show?

See also wall of candles ceremony in Riga, and Lacplesis day in 2007.

Labels: daugavpils, events, funny, government, holidays, independence, jobs, latvian, military, people, transport

Latvia has made one more Guinness Record. Since now we are the holder of the longest dance in the world.
It's mean that 2208 people took each other's hand and performed Gatves deja (Broad Road Dance) dance.
This event was timed to 90th Anniversary of Latvia.

Another events related to anniversary: Subbotnik, Light Bridges, 24h Marathon
See also: Dance Fest.


Shots provided by f64.

Labels: culture, events, girls, independence, latvian, music, people, records, vecriga, wealth