Only by acknowledging the tragedies of the past can we prevent similar injustices in the future — this message echoed in speeches delivered during the Commemoration Day of Victims of Communist Genocide held near the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia.
“Each year we search for words to once again remind ourselves of our past, our history. To once again tell society and the world that what happened in 1941 and 1949 is something we never want to experience again,” said President Edgars Rinkēvičs in his address.
The President honoured those who perished in Soviet camps and emphasized that the modern world still faces threats that cause anxiety and fear.
“This is understandable, because our history compels us to be cautious. And it is understandable because we see that, despite the efforts of good forces to defeat evil, they are not always successful,” Rinkēvičs stated.
He compared the current war in Ukraine to Latvia’s own historical experience, highlighting the importance of continuing to support Ukraine in its struggle against evil.
At the same time, the President urged people not to lose hope, reminding them that Latvia has allies and is actively strengthening its defence capabilities.
“I encourage everyone not to be ashamed of fear, but instead to act — to make ourselves stronger and more resilient so that we can stand up to any aggression,” he said, adding that Latvia will only be as strong as the strength of its people.
Tālis Veismanis, Chairman of the Latvian Association of Politically Repressed Persons, stressed in his speech that the goal of the deportations was to destroy the Latvian nation. These events marked the beginning of long suffering and injustice affecting thousands of families.
“It is our duty today to remember these innocent souls and to remind the world of these crimes. We must not forget the tragedies of the past, because only by recognizing and learning from them can we ensure that such injustices are never repeated,” Veismanis declared.
During the commemoration, the victims of communist genocide were honoured with a moment of silence, and the Latvian national anthem “Dievs, svētī Latviju” (“God Bless Latvia”) was performed.
As observed by the LETA news agency, flowers were laid at the “Tactile of History” memorial on Tuesday by Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (JV), Speaker of the Saeima Daiga Mieriņa (ZZS), several Saeima deputies and ministers, as well as Mayor of Riga Vilnis Ķirsis (JV) and his deputy Edvards Ratnieks (NA).
The event also drew attention from several passersby.
This year marks 76 years since the mass deportations of the 25th-28th of March 1949 — the largest forced deportation operation in the Baltic states, during which nearly 43 000 people were exiled from Latvia to remote regions of the USSR. The operation was secretly named “Priboi” (Coastal Surf).
Since the restoration of Latvia’s independence, the 25th of March has been marked annually with various events honouring the victims of communist genocide and listening to the stories of those who endured exile.