At an extraordinary meeting of the Riga City Council, the hot topic was the approval of Agnes Strauitina for the position of director of the Riga Monument Agency. Her credentials include a bachelor's degree in interior design (RTU) and a master's degree in material technology and design (LU).
The deputies asked the candidate what she intends to do with the column in honor of Alexander I, which was once planned to be installed in the square near the Cable Bridge? After all, it was created back when Latvia did not have a president. It would also be worth looking into the fate of the monument to Pushkin that is lying in storage. In Tallinn, such a monument still stands in the center.
– Latvia was colonized by Germany and Russia, Liana Langa stated. For her part, the monument to Pushkin is a "symbol of colonialism."
– They have no place in the cultural space of the West, said the national poetess.
Ms. Langa believes that Latvia also does not need monuments to such literati as the Stalin Prize laureate – Anna Sakse.
Ms. Strauitina did not provide specific answers regarding the mentioned sculptures, nor did she have anything to say about the prospects of the monument to Konstantins Čakste, who died fighting against the Nazi occupation (your author reminded that there were plans for many years to place it where the former monument to Lenin stood!). However, the candidate for the position expressed that cutting the statue of the writer Andrejs Upīts in half would be a violation of copyright.
– Pushkin wrote in Russian, which is the language of aggression, Girts Lapiņš (National Alliance) stated in raised tones.
– Monuments glorifying Russia belong in Russia, confirmed national vice-mayor Edwards Ratnieks. Meanwhile, Rudolf Bremanis (“Sovereign Power/New Latvians”) found in Ms. Strauitina's biography that she was a candidate for the XIV Saeima from the “For Development of Latvia” party and is connected with the “gray cardinal” Edgars Jaunups.
As a result, Ms. Strauitina did indeed receive the coveted position of director of the Riga Monument Agency. It will be easier for her than for her predecessors, as the controversial monuments have already been demolished.
