The President of Latvia Called to Remember the Victims of Communist Repressions 0 16

In his speech, the head of state recalled the tragic events of 1941, when thousands of residents of Latvia were forcibly deported to Siberia and other remote regions of the Soviet Union. Among those repressed were children, women, men, and the elderly.

According to the president, the only guilt of many deported individuals was that they were patriots of their country and contributed to the development of independent Latvia. He emphasized that the Stalinist regime deliberately sought to destroy the most active and educated part of society — entrepreneurs, representatives of the intelligentsia, and all those who strengthened the Latvian state.

Edgars Rinkēvičs noted that it is impossible to accurately imagine what the country's present would look like without occupation and mass repressions. However, he stated that it is clear that Latvia could have become a stronger and more prosperous state. The president emphasized that the current generation bears the responsibility for strengthening the country, its prosperity, and resilience against any threats.

In his speech, the head of state paid special attention to issues of historical memory. He stated that the danger comes not only from the activities of totalitarian regimes but also from forgetting their crimes.

"Not only do totalitarian regimes kill — silence kills as well. Silence destroys memory, and without memory, it is impossible to understand what needs to be protected and what mistakes must not be repeated," the president emphasized.

Rinkēvičs shared that shortly before the memorial event, he met at the Riga Castle with the so-called "Children of Siberia" — people who experienced deportations in childhood or were born in exile. According to him, their memories remain an important testimony to the tragic events of the past and help to better understand contemporary threats.