It’s unlikely for large scale celebrations of 9 May to ever return to Latvia, said European Parliament member and ex-mayor of Riga Nils Ušakovs in an interview to TV3 programme 900 seconds on Monday, 11 April.
According to him, after the war in Ukraine «Russian-speaking residents in Latvia will have to think very hard about 9 May and many other topics, and, potentially, reconsider some things».
Ušakovs believes that once the war is over, people will have to reconsider and come to the conclusion that there are other formats for celebrating victory over Nazism and commemorating the deaths of the people who fought in the war.
«It’s unlikely for large-scale celebrations to come back ever. At the same time, though, I believe people should still have the opportunity to commemorate their relatives and other people who died in WWII both on 8th and 9th May – any day they like,» said the politician who participated in 9 May festivities in Victory Park in previous years.
At the same time, he is certain people should be given the opportunity to lay flowers at the monument in Victory Park, because «additional restrictions could escalate the situation». According to him, it is important to show Russian-speaking residents that «these are our people and, and should not be pushed away towards Kremlin».
As previously reported, last week the Saeima passed in the final reading the Law on the Day of Commemoration of Victims in Ukraine, which provides for making 9 May a day of mourning.
Residents are also prohibited from using fireworks on 9th and 10th of May 2022.
The aforementioned law will lose its power on 11 May 2022.
More on this topic: Latvia officially declares 9 May Day of Commemoration of Victims Who Died in Ukraine
Ex-mayor of Riga considers the future of 9 May celebration in Latvia
