If Latvians mourn deportations and Russians mourn Cheburashka, there will be no unity — NEPLP head 0 37

Aboliņš believes that the closure of Latvian Radio 4, as well as the transition of all education to the state language, is one of the most important events in Latvia in the last 35 years. "There is a symbolic meaning to this. We will no longer divide society into two parts — Latvian and Russian.

We live in one society, we have the same interests, we support the same sports teams, we watch the same movies…

We never intended to fight against those who speak Russian. On the contrary, our goal was to unite everyone and ensure that we live in a single information space," he asserts.

Aboliņš provided an example of how, in his opinion, the informational accents differed in the Latvian and Russian language fields: "On the most tragic day for Latvia — the day of deportations — a news item appeared on the Russian portal stating that there would be no more 'Cheburashka' at the puppet theater. I believe that this should not be the case.

Russians in Latvia should know what this date means for Latvians.

This is how we can ensure the cohesion of society. If Latvians mourn their deported ancestors, while Russians mourn the fact that there will no longer be Cheburashka, then this is not a united society."

Aboliņš believes that it is necessary not only to close public radio in the Russian language but also to completely eliminate Russian-language content in public media. Meanwhile, private media can still operate in Russian.

"The state cannot prohibit private companies from creating newspapers or television channels in Russian at their own expense. The situation with radio stations is somewhat different because frequencies are very important state property, and they are not sold to these entrepreneurs; they are awarded to them through a competitive process," he notes.

What to do with such radio stations is still unclear, and various options are being discussed.

"Our proposal will be this: obtaining a new license in Russian will be impossible. The radio station will be able to extend its license only by broadcasting in Latvian.

In Russian — no. But this should happen gradually, over 8 years, so that people can prepare," he shared his vision.

As for playing songs in Russian on the radio, Aboliņš sees no obstacles: "No one is trying to fight against songs in Russian. That would be absurd. The other matter is the music of sanctioned musicians, such as Chicherina and Leps. That would be a violation of EU sanctions."

Aboliņš believes that the share of Russian-speaking residents of Latvia who consume content not only in Russian but also in Latvian is quite significant. However, there is a group of people from whom "there is no way to get them to switch to the Latvian language or the Latvian information space. You cannot do what is impossible."

Aboliņš mentioned that in recent years, 481 Russian websites have been blocked in Latvia, whose content posed a threat to Latvia's security. For example, these websites were involved in recruiting for the Russian army.

The head of NEPLP acknowledged that there are people in Latvia who consume such content despite all the bans: "According to a study by the Ministry of Culture, only 14 percent consume illegal content. But even if these figures are, for example, twice as high, it is still not much. Our people are law-abiding. Although, of course, there are always those who try to circumvent the bans. Just as there are people who drive drunk."