Today was Lačplesa Diena, Veterans Day, or the Day of Heroes in Latvia. I was actually on my way to another celebration when I happened upon a military parade at the Freedom Monument marking the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Latvian army. Lačplesa Diena is the official date for commemoration of Latvian soldiers. On this date in 1919, the Latvian Army won a decisive breakthrough in the fighting against the Russian and German forces, which had taken up arms against the Republic of Latvia. The victory marked the conclusion of the Latvian War of Liberation (1918-1920) and allowed the work of creating the new state to begin.
The President Valdis Zatlers giving his Lačplesa Diena speech.
The soon to be ousted Prime Minister laying flowers at the Freedom Monument.
A bonfire on the shores of Daugava River.
People laying candles on the ancient city wall in commemoration of those that fought for Latvia.
The President Valdis Zatlers giving his Lačplesa Diena speech.
The soon to be ousted Prime Minister laying flowers at the Freedom Monument.
A bonfire on the shores of Daugava River.
No comments:
Post a Comment