“Today, freedom and its meaning are just as important as they were 35 years ago. It is our duty to teach that freedom must be cared for every single day. Responsibility for our country must be assumed by each of us—both young and old. It is we, the people of Latvia, who shape our nation,” emphasised the Speaker of the Saeima, Daiga Mieriņa, on Friday, 4 April, addressing attendees at the conference Baltic Spring and the Latvian Will, dedicated to the Declaration on the Restoration of Independence. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Latvia’s independence.
The Speaker highlighted that few nations in the world have, within a single century, conceived, founded, nurtured and cherished, lost, and then restored their own state. “For the Baltic nations to break free from the grip of the still-powerful USSR empire and become free and independent was an extraordinary and daring step—not only from the European perspective but also in the eyes of the world,” said Mieriņa.
“The will of the people and their active participation were decisive in restoring our country’s independence through non-violent means. Breaking free from the grip of the empire on 4 May 1990 was the clearest affirmation of our nation’s will—a miracle granted by God to only a few nations in the world,” said the Speaker, noting that strength and unity are not limited to difficult times. “We are strong and united during the Song and Dance Festival too, when we walk with heads held high, backs straight, and breathe in unison. When we sing in the massed choir, side by side, we are united in spirit,” she said.
The Speaker expressed satisfaction that an entire generation in Latvia has grown up without experiencing totalitarian rule. Mieriņa emphasised that this generation will gain its understanding of the nation’s awakening through the stories of grandparents, books, and films—and that we ourselves are responsible for how this experience is conveyed.
She stressed that the Baltic States’ non-violent resistance to the chains of occupation, the restoration of independence, and the democratic governance now serve as examples and inspiration for countries that have only recently embarked on their path towards Europe. “The world order has changed. Freedom and peace are no longer self-evident concepts,” said the Speaker, noting that Ukraine, which—like the Baltics—restored its independence in 1991, has now, for three years, been fighting to reclaim its freedom through force and at the cost of lives. “The barbaric assault by the aggressor on a free country only affirms that freedom must be protected—and that it comes with a price. Investment is needed in strengthening national security and defence capabilities, in human capital, and in the well-being of the population,” said Mieriņa.
Each generation has done what it could to ensure Latvia’s existence, and our future success will depend on how united we are, said the Speaker. She expressed gratitude to the members of the Supreme Council who, 35 years ago on 4 May, voted for the restoration of our country’s independence.
President of the 4 May Declaration Club, Velta Čebotarenoka, addressing the audience, emphasised that back then, 35 years ago, “we were all in the same boat together with the people, and that is precisely why we won.” Nothing has changed today, said Čebotarenoka, stressing that the responsibility for Latvia is shared equally by all of us.
At the opening of the conference, speeches were also delivered by the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, and Prime Minister Evika Siliņa. The event was moderated by Awakening-era leader Dainis Īvāns.
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Saeima Press Service
