The removal of the monument dedicated to the victory of Soviet army over fascism in Riga may cost 2-3 million euros, as reported by Mayor of Riga Mārtiņš Staķis at a press-conference on Friday, 15 July.
He said the first stage of preparations for the monument’s removal is completed. Assessment and planning was performed during this stage.
Now Riga municipal administration will commence talks with construction companies, which are scheduled to commence in the next two weeks. After that a contract will be signed with a contractor to commence dismantling of the monument.
In order to meet the term outlined in the law – 15 November 2022 – dismantling must begin this summer, added Staķis.
In accordance to the law, the monument located in Riga, Victory Park is to be removed. Removal of other objects that meet the criteria of monuments, memorials and plaques will be organised in accordance with the procedure and the list composed by the Cabinet of Ministers.
National Cultural Heritage Board, Latvian Artists’ Union and Museum of the Occupation of Latvia evaluated the list of all objects that could potentially fall in the category of objects to be removed from Latvia’s territory decided a total of 69 of them are to be disposed of in Latvia.