“Currently there is “an iron curtain” on the border near Zilupe,” said Latvian President Egils Levits, speaking to Saeima deputies at the parliament’s final spring meeting.
He said it must not be militarily or for business transactions, nor in the consciousness of the people of Latvia.
This “iron curtain” separates two incompatible worlds of values. This is why it is necessary to patiently and tirelessly continue creating a kind of society that is “immune to the Russian world” in all of its forms, said the soon-to-be ex-President of Latvia Egils Levits.
“A cohesive society is not one that is hastily put together at any cost. A cohesive society is one that shares values – Latvianism, democracy, European affiliation. Values every person considers his or her own,” said the president.
Levits stressed that Latvian residents largely agree on democracy and affiliation with Europe. However, Latvianism needs work.
Latvianism is self-explanatory to many residents. However, there are also those who still dream about “the Russian world” in Latvia.
The president explained that Latvian language as state language is at the heart of Latvianism, but the concept itself is so much more.
It is also our vision of the world from our perspective, he said.
It is our culture, our interpretation of history, our confidence that the occupation of Latvia was a crime, that an independent country is a value, that Latvia belongs to the Western, not Eastern world. Latvianism is the foundation of Latvia’s civil society. Latvianism invites everyone to participate and it “does not in any way reduce the rights of national minorities to preserve their national-cultural identity”.
Levits added that in order to enhance the Latvian nature of the Latvian state, he has written the Law on Latvian Historic Lands, which was passed by the 13th Saeima. The Historic Lands Council was also formed for this purpose.
“I have always consequently stood in favour of unified schools that teach in Latvian language. The 13th Saeima finally made this decision, though somewhat late. Nevertheless, this will put a stop to the fractured state of our nation,” said the president, adding that starting with 2026/2027 one of the official European languages will be taught at Latvian schools as the second foreign language.
The fact that Russian language will not be the second foreign language he said is a consequent step to continue “freeing Latvia from its colonial past”.
Levits said Latvia has removed many monuments glorifying the occupation. However, he added there is still a lot of work ahead. Latvia’s president once again accused Russia of aggressive imperialism, saying now is the time to change the many street names and signs that still symbolise Latvia’s affiliation with Russian space.
The president has submitted a legislative initiative to the Saeima. In it is a list of street names believed to be associated with occupation powers and should be renamed. The Saeima will be able to discuss each name individually.
Levits also rhetorically asked about the message Pioneer, Gagarin and Pushkin streets carry, adding that this way it is implied Latvia has some ties to Russian space. According to him, if not all municipalities are prepared to free Latvia from this “inappropriate, indecent heritage”, then the state needs to act in their stead.
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