Pioneers no longer live here, and there aren’t many retirees - the street has been desovietized 0 8

In May 2022, the Ogre municipality decided to rename Pioneer Street to Explorer Street (Celmlaužu iela), however, the Administrative District Court and then the Administrative Regional Court annulled this decision.

Taking into account the court's instructions regarding the need for a public discussion, on October 30, 2025, the council decided to organize a public discussion on renaming Pioneer Street, proposing several options: Explorer Street, Meadow Street, Davis Adams Street, Loka Street, River Street, Ciemupe Street, First Street, Youth Street, Liv Street, Dawn Street, Scout Street, and Lata Street.

During the public discussion in November 2025, the name "Dawn Street" received the most support.

As previously reported, in order to reduce symbols of the victory of the Soviet army and the period of Soviet occupation, on April 28, 2022, the deputies of the Ogre County council decided to rename Pioneer Street in the village of Ciemupe (Ogresgala parish) to Scout Street. However, the municipality received a proposal from the State Language Center (VVC) to rename it to Explorer Street.

As indicated by the VVC in its conclusion, the council's decision contradicted toponymy rules, which state that an official name cannot be changed if it fully complies with established requirements. The name "Pioneer Street" meets these requirements, therefore the proposal to change it was deemed unjustified.

The word "pioneer" in Latvian originally means "a person who starts something new (in any field), an explorer." It has the same meaning in English, from which it was borrowed.

During the period of Soviet occupation, this word was given an additional meaning - "a member of a children's communist organization," however, according to the VVC, today it has lost its relevance and should be forgotten. Therefore, further use of the name "Pioneer Street" in its original meaning does not indicate tolerance towards the symbolism of the Soviet period.

Considering this, the VVC proposed changing the official name to "Explorer Street." This proposal was then supported by some residents of the current Pioneer Street.