Freedom Monument in Riga

Pictures and text by Mark R. Hatlie

These pictures were taken in Riga during the first week of September, 2007 at various times of the day. This memorial is far and away the most meaningful marker for the Latvian state and people. It was designed by Karlis Zale, the designer of the Brethren Cemetery and dedicated in 1935. It was put up in the original location of the monument to Peter the Great on the edge of the old city. It was not damaged during the war or by the Soviet regime, but closely watched and officially ignored. During the "3rd awakening" movement of the late 1980s, it played a central role in public consciousness as a gathering place for public protest and remembrance on key historical anniversaries.

Since the restoration of Latvian independence it now has an honor guard during the day and there are always flowers in front of it, under the words For Fatherland and Freedom (Tevzemei un Brivibai). The three stars at the top of the monument symbolize the three geographic parts which had to be united after 1918 to create the Latvian state: part of the Russian province of Pskov (Latgale), the province of Kurland (which itself is made up of the regions of Kurzeme and Zemgale), and the ethnically Latvian half of Livland (Vidzeme).

The figures and reliefs around the base of the statue have complex contexts involving Latvian history and folklore which I will relate here in more detail in the future. For now, look for the mix of early Latvian (medieval, pre-German) and independence era (1918-1919) costume, and symbols of gaining independence by struggle and warfare.