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Encyclopedia > Freedom Monument (Riga)
The Freedom Monument in Riga
For other memorials to liberty, see Monument of Liberty.

The Freedom Monument (Latvian: Brīvības Piemineklis), located in Riga, Latvia, is a memorial in honor of soldiers killed in action during the Latvian War of Independence. It is an important symbol of the freedom, independence and sovereignty of Latvia. Unveiled in 1935, the 42 meters high monument of granite, travertine and copper often serves as the focal point of public gatherings and official ceremonies. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 451 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (1464 × 1944 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 451 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (1464 × 1944 pixel, file size: 1. ... Monument of Liberty may refer to: The Shipka Memorial in the Balkan mountains, Bulgaria The Monument of Liberty in Rousse, Bulgaria The Liberty Statue in Budapest, Hungary The Freedom Monument in Riga, Latvia The Statue of Liberty in New York City, USA The Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri, USA... Coordinates: Founded 1201 Government  - Mayor Jānis Birks Area  - City 307. ... Temporary grave of an American machine-gunner during the Battle of Normandy. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...


The sculptures and bas-reliefs of the Freedom Monument, arranged in thirteen groups, depict Latvian culture and history. The core of the monument is composed of tetragonal shapes on top of each other, decreasing in size towards the top, completed by a 19 meters high travertine column bearing the copper figure of Liberty lifting three gilded stars. The concept of the monument first emerged in the early 1920s, when the Prime Minister of Latvia, Zigfrīds Anna Meierovics, ordered rules to be drawn up for a contest for designs of a "memorial column". After several contests the monument was finally built at the beginning of the 1930s according to the scheme "Shine like a star!" by Latvian sculptor Kārlis Zāle. Kārlis Zāle (born 28 October 1888, Mažeikiai, Lithuania; died 19 February 1942, Incukalns, Latvia) was a Latvian sculptor. ...


During World War II Latvia was annexed by the USSR and the Freedom Monument was considered for demolition, but no such move was carried out, because of the high artistic value of the monument. Propaganda was used to alter the symbolical meaning of the monument according to Soviet ideology. Yet it remained a symbol of national independence to the general public and on 14 June 1987 about 5,000 people gathered there to commemorate the victims of the Soviet regime and to lay flowers. This rally began the national independence movement and three years later the independence of Latvia was re-established. Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... June 14 is the 165th day of the year (166th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ...

Contents

Design

The statue of Liberty on top of the monument

The sculptures and bas-reliefs of the Freedom Monument, arranged in thirteen groups, depict Latvian culture and history.[1] The core of the monument is composed of tetragonal shapes on top of each other, decreasing in size towards the top. A red granite staircase of ten steps, averaging 2.8 meters in width and 1.8 meters in height, winds around the base of the monument between two 1.7 meters high and 4.5 meters wide travertine reliefs, "Latvian riflemen" (Latvian: Latvju strēlnieki) and "Latvian people: the Singers" (Latvian: Latvju tauta - dziedātāja), which decorate its 3 meters thick sides.[2] The first two steps of the staircase form a rectangular platform at the front of the monument, which is used for ceremonial proposes. The base of the monument, also made of red granite, is formed by two rectangular blocks: the lower one is a monolithic 3.5 meters high, 9.2 meters wide and 11 meters long, while the smaller upper block is 3.5 meters high, 8.5 meters wide and 10 meters long and has round niches in its corners, each containing a sculptural group of three figures. Its sides are also panelled with travertine.[3] Image File history File links Lettland_riga_freih_statue. ... Image File history File links Lettland_riga_freih_statue. ... Bas relief is a method of sculpting which entails carving or etching away the surface of a flat piece of stone or metal. ... In the art of sculpture, a relief is an artwork where a modelled form projects out of a flat background. ... Monument to the Red Latvian Riflemen in Riga, Latvia Latvian riflemen (Latvian: LatvieÅ¡u strÄ“lnieki, Russian: Латышские стрелки) were military formations assembled starting 1915 in Latvia in order to defend Baltic territories against Germans in World War I. Initially the battalions were formed by volunteers, and from 1916 by conscription among...


On the front of the monument, in between the groups "Work" (depicting a fisherman, a craftsman and a farmer, who stands in the middle holding a scythe decorated with oak leaves and acorns to symbolize strength and manhood) and "Guards of the Fatherland" (depicting an ancient Latvian warrior standing between two kneeling modern soldiers), a dedication by the Latvian writer Kārlis Skalbe: For Fatherland and Freedom (Latvian: Tēvzemei un Brīvībai) is inscribed on one of the travertine panels.[2] On the sides the travertine panels are covered by two reliefs: "1905" (Latvian: 1905.gads in reference to the Russian Revolution of 1905), and "The Battle against the Bermontians on the Iron Bridge" (Latvian: Cīņa pret bermontiešiem uz Dzelzs tilta, referring to the decisive battle in Riga during the Latvian War of Independence). On the back of the monument are another two sculptural groups: "Family" (Latvian: Ģimene) (a mother standing between her two children) and "Scholars" (Latvian: Gara darbinieki).[2] On the red granite base there is yet another rectangular block, 6 meters high and wide, and 7.5 meters long, encircled by four 5.5-6 meters high grey granite sculptural groups: "Latvia" (Latvian: Latvija), "Lāčplēsis" (a Latvian folk hero), "Vaidelotis" (a Baltic pagan priest) and "Chain breakers" (Latvian: Važu rāvēji) (three chained men trying to break free from their chains).[3] Kārlis Skalbe (1879–1945) was a Latvian writer and poet. ... ‹ The template below (Expand) is being considered for deletion. ... West Russian Volunteer Army - was a counterrevolutionary army in the Baltic provinces of the former Russian Empire during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1920. ... Coordinates: Founded 1201 Government  - Mayor Jānis Birks Area  - City 307. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For other uses, see LāčplÄ“sis (disambiguation). ... It has been suggested that American folk hero be merged into this article or section. ... http://www. ... Look up pagan, heathen in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...


The topmost block serves also as the foundation for the 19 meters high monolithic travertine column, which is 2.5 meters by 3 meters at the base. To the front and rear a line of glass runs along the middle of the column.[3] The column is topped by a copper figure of Liberty, which is 9 meters tall and in the form of a woman lifting three gilded stars, symbolizing the constitutional districts of Latvia: Vidzeme, Latgale and Courland.[4] The whole monument is built around a frame of reinforced concrete and was originally fastened together with lead, bronze cables and lime mortar.[3] However, some of the original materials were replaced with polyurethane filler during restoration.[5] General Name, Symbol, Number copper, Cu, 29 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 11, 4, d Appearance metallic pinkish red Standard atomic weight 63. ... A gilded Tibetan Vajrasattva Gilding is the art of applying metal leaf (most commonly gold or silver leaf) to a surface. ... Livonia (Latvian: Livonija; Estonian: Liivimaa; German: Livland; Polish: Inflanty; Russian: Лифляндия or Liflandiya) once was the land of the Finnic Livonians, but came in the Middle Ages to designate a much broader territory controlled by the Livonian Order on the eastern coasts of the Baltic Sea in present-day Latvia and... Latgale or Latgalia (Latvian: , Latgalian: Latgola; Polish: Łatgalia; German: Lettgallen; Russian: Латгалия) is one of the four cultural regions of Latvia recognised in the Constitution of the Latvian Republic. ... Coat of arms of Courland Courland (Latvian: ; German: ; Latin: Curonia / Couronia; Lithuanian: ; Estonian: ; Polish: ; Russian: ) is an historical Baltic province now part of Latvia. ... Reinforced concrete at Sainte Jeanne dArc Church (Nice, France): architect Jacques Dror, 1926–1933 Reinforced concrete, also called ferroconcrete in some countries, is concrete in which reinforcement bars (rebars) or fibers have been incorporated to strengthen a material that would otherwise be brittle. ... For Pb as an abbreviation, see PB. General Name, Symbol, Number lead, Pb, 82 Chemical series Post-transition metals or poor metals Group, Period, Block 14, 6, p Appearance bluish gray Standard atomic weight 207. ... Assorted ancient Bronze castings found as part of a cache, probably intended for recycling. ... Lime mortar is an old type of mortar used to stick bricks and stones together in building. ...


Location

The monument is located in the center of Riga on Brīvības bulvāris ("Freedom Boulevard"), near the old town of Riga.[4] In 1990 a section of the street around the monument, about 200 meters long, between Rainis and Aspazija boulevards, was pedestrianised, forming a plaza. Part of it includes a bridge over the city's canal, once a part of the city's fortification system, which was demolished in the 19th century to build the modern boulevard district.[6] The canal is 3.2 long and surrounded by parkland for half of its length.[1] The earth from the demolition of the fortifications was gathered in the park and now forms an artificial hill with a cascade of waterfalls to the north of the monument.[2] The Boulevard district east of the park is the location of several embassies and institutions, of which the closest to the Freedom Monument are the German and French embassies, the University of Latvia and Riga State Gymnasium No.1.[7] Rainis (sometimes referred to as Jānis Rainis) was the pseudonym of Jānis Pliekšāns (b. ... Aspazija was the pen name of Elza Pliekšāne (born Elza Rozenberga; March 16, 1865 – November 5, 1943), a Latvian poet and playwright. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Separation barrier. ... - Seal on the building of German Embassies. ... University of Latvia is the oldest university in Latvia. ... Riga State Gymnasium No. ...


Situated in the park near the monument to the south is the National Opera House with a flower garden and a fountain in front of it.[8] Opposite the opera house on the western part of plaza near the old town, is a small café and the Laima clock. The clock was set up in 1924 and in 1936 it was decorated with an advertisement for the Latvian confectionery brand "Laima", from which it took its name; it is a popular meeting spot.[9] It has been suggested that Candy be merged into this article or section. ...


Originally it was planned that an elliptical plaza would be built around the foot of the monument, enclosed by a granite wall 1.6 meters high, with benches placed inside it, while a hedge of thujas was to be planted around the outside. This project was however not carried out in the 1930s. The idea was reconsidered in the 1980s but shelved again.[2] A clipped beech hedge in Germany, allowed to grow as high as a house in order to serve as a windbreak A hedge is a line of closely spaced shrubs and bushes, planted and trained in such a way as to form a barrier or to mark the boundary of... Species Thuja koraiensis Thuja occidentalis Thuja plicata Thuja standishii Thuja sutchuenensis Thuja (pronounced Thuya) is a genus of coniferous trees in the Cupressaceae (cypress family). ...

Plaza of the Freedom Monument

Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 177 pixelsFull resolution (3615 × 800 pixel, file size: 2. ...

Construction

The idea of building a memorial to honor soldiers killed in action during the Latvian War of Independence first emerged in the early 1920s. On July 27, 1922, the Prime Minister of Latvia, Zigfrīds Anna Meierovics, ordered rules to be drawn up for a contest for designs of a "memorial column". The winner of this contest was a scheme proposing a 27-meter-tall column with reliefs of official symbols of Latvia and bas-reliefs of Krišjānis Barons and Atis Kronvalds. It was later rejected after a protest from 57 artists.[2] In October 1923, a new contest was announced, using for the first time the term "Freedom Monument". The contest ended with two winners, and a new closed contest was announced in March 1925, but, due to disagreement within the jury, there was no result.[2] Temporary grave of an American machine-gunner during the Battle of Normandy. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... is the 208th day of the year (209th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar). ... The Prime Minister of Latvia is the most powerful member of the Latvian government, and presides over the Latvian cabinet. ... ZigfrÄ«ds Anna Meierovics (5 February 1887 Durbe - 22 August 1925 near Tukums) was first Minister of Foreign affairs of Latvia (19 November 1918 - 25 January 1925) and later held office of Prime Minister of Latvia twice (19 June 1921 – 26 January 1923 and 28 June 1923 – 26 January, 1924. ... In the art of sculpture, a relief is an artwork where a modelled form projects out of a flat background. ... Bas relief is a method of sculpting which entails carving or etching away the surface of a flat piece of stone or metal. ... KriÅ¡jānis Barons (b. ... Atis Kronvalds or Kronvaldu Atis (15 April 1837 - 17 February 1875) was Latvian author, linguist and teacher. ...


Finally in October 1929, the last contest was announced. The winner was the design "Shine like a star!" (Latvian: "Mirdzi kā zvaigzne!") by sculptor Kārlis Zāle, who had had success in the previous contests as well. After minor corrections made by the author and supervising architect Ernests Štālbergs, construction began on November 18, 1931.[2] Financed by private donations, the monument was erected by the entrance to the old town, in the same place where the previous central monument of Riga, a bronze equestrian statue of the Russian Emperor Peter the Great, had stood.[10] It was calculated in 1935, the year when the monument was unveiled, that in four years of construction 308,000 man-hours were required to work the stone materials alone: 130 years would have been required if one person were to accomplish the work using the most advanced equipment of the time. The total weight of materials used was about 2,500 tons: such a quantity of materials would have required about 200 freight cars if transported by railway.[3] Ernests Å tālbergs (1883-1958) was a Latvian architect whose works are in the Neoclassical and the functionalistic styles. ... is the 322nd day of the year (323rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1931 (MCMXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1931 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Apotheosis of Saint Louis by Charles H. Niehaus In sculpture, an equestrian (from the Latin equus meaning horse) is a statue consisting of a horse with mounted rider. ... Peter the Great or Pyotr Alexeyevich Romanov (Russian: Пётр I Алексеевич Pyotr I Alekséyevich) (9 June 1672–8 February 1725 [30 May 1672–28 January 1725 O.S.][1]) ruled Russia from 7 May (27 April O.S.) 1682 until his death, jointly ruling before 1696 with his weak and sickly... Look up ton in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...


Restoration

The monument is endangered by the climate (causing damage by frost and rain) and by air pollution.[11] Although in 1990 the area around the monument was pedestrianised, there are still three streets carrying traffic around it.[2] High concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide have been recorded near the monument, which in combination with water cause corrosion of the fabric of the monument.[11] In addition, water has caused cracking of the reinforced concrete core and rusting of its steel reinforcements and the fastenings of the monument, which also have been worn out by constant vibrations caused by traffic.[5] The porous travertine has gradually crumbled over time and its pores have filled with soot and particles of sand, causing it to blacken and providing a habitat for small organisms, such as moss and lichens.[11] The metallic components have caused efflorescence on the stone.[11] Irregular maintenance and the unskillful performance of restoration work have also contributed to the weathering of the monument. To prevent its further decay some of the fastenings were replaced with polyurethane filler and water repellant was applied to the monument during the restoration in 2001. It was also determined that maintenance should be carried out every 2 years.[5] [1] R-phrases , S-phrases , , , , , Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, εr, etc. ... Sulfur dioxide (or Sulphur dioxide) has the chemical formula SO2. ... Subclasses Sphagnidae Andreaeidae Tetraphidae Polytrichidae Archidiidae Buxbaumiidae Bryidae Mosses are small, soft plants that are typically 1–10 cm tall, though some species are much larger. ... Lichenes from Ernst Haeckels Artforms of Nature, 1904 Lichens are symbiotic associations of a fungus (the mycobiont) with a photosynthetic partner (the photobiont also known as the phycobiont) that can produce food for the lichen from sunlight. ... In Chemistry. ...


The monument was restored twice during the Soviet era (1962 and 1980-1981). In keeping with tradition the restorations and maintenance after the renewal of Latvia's independence are financed partly by private donations. The monument underwent major restoration in 1998-2001.[2] During this restoration the statue of liberty and its stars were cleaned, restored and gilded anew.[12] The monument was formally re-opened on July 24, 2001.[13] The staircase, column, base and inside of the monument were restored, and the stone materials were cleaned and re-sealed. The supports of the monument were fixed to prevent subsidence. Although the restorers said at the time that the monument would withstand a hundred years without another major restoration, it was discovered a few years later that the gilding of the stars was damaged, due to the restoration technique used. The stars were restored again during maintenance and restoration in 2006; however, this restoration was rushed and there is no warranty of its quality.[14] is the 205th day of the year (206th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... A gilded Tibetan Vajrasattva Gilding is the art of applying metal leaf (most commonly gold or silver leaf) to a surface. ...

The guard of honor at the foot of the Freedom Monument

Image File history File links Size of this preview: 422 × 600 pixels Full resolution (800 × 1137 pixel, file size: 659 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Beschreibung/Description: Riga: Sockel des Freiheitsdenkmals. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 422 × 600 pixels Full resolution (800 × 1137 pixel, file size: 659 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Beschreibung/Description: Riga: Sockel des Freiheitsdenkmals. ...

Guard of Honor

The guard of honor was present from the unveiling of the monument until 1940, when it was removed shortly after the occupation of Latvia.[2] It was renewed on November 11, 1992.[2] The guards are soldiers of The Company of Guard of Honor of the Headquarters Battalion of the National Armed Forces (Latvian: Nacionālo Bruņoto spēku Štāba bataljona Goda sardzes rota).[15] The guard is not required to be on duty in bad weather conditions and if the temperatures are below -10 °C or above +25 °C.[16][17] The guards work in two weekly shifts, with three or four pairs of guards taking over from each other hourly in a ceremony commanded by the chief of the guard.[16][17] Besides them there also are two watchmen in each shift, who look out for the safety of the guards of honor.[17] January 1, 2000: The Department of Defense began the implementation plan for providing military funeral honors for eligible veterans as enacted in Section 578 of Public Law 106-65 of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2000 on. ... November 11 is the 315th day of the year (316th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 50 days remaining. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... The Latvian National Armed Forces (Latvian: Latvijas Nacionālie bruņotie spÄ“ki or NBS) consist of 5910 personnel in uniform. ... Celsius is, or relates to, the Celsius temperature scale (previously known as the centigrade scale). ... Celsius is, or relates to, the Celsius temperature scale (previously known as the centigrade scale). ...


Normally the guard changes every hour between 9am and 6pm. After an hour on watch the guards have two hours free that they spend in their rooms at the Ministry of Defence.[17] Since September 2004 the guards also patrol every half hour during their watch: they march off from the base of the monument and march twice along each side of it and then return to their posts.[18] The guards are required to be 1.82 meters tall and in good health, as they are required to stand without moving for half an hour.[15][16] The Standard of the Minister of Defence of Latvia The Ministry of Defence, Republic of Latvia (Latvian: Latvijas Republikas AizsardzÄ«bas ministrija) is the Latvian government ministry in charge of the formation and implementation of national security and defence policy, and for the overall management and control of the activities...


Political significance

The Freedom Monument has always had political significance. At the time of its erection the coup d'etat of May 15, 1934, was regarded as having a significant influence upon building works, thus glamorizing the authoritarian regime established by Kārlis Ulmanis after the coup.[3] The Ulmanis regime was short-lived as during the World War II Latvia was annexed by USSR. After the end of World War II, there were plans to demolish the monument, although little written evidence is available to historians and research is largely based on verbal testimony.[10] A coup détat, or simply a coup, is the sudden overthrow of a government, usually done by a small group that just replaces the top power figures. ... is the 135th day of the year (136th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display full 1934 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Kārlis Ulmanis (b. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000...

The Freedom Monument replaced a statue of the Russian Emperor Peter the Great

On September 29, 1949 (although according to verbal testimony, the issue was first raised as early as October 1944) the Council of People's Commissars of the Latvian SSR proposed the restoration of the statue of the Russian Emperor Peter the Great. While they did not expressly call for the demolition of the Freedom Monument, the only way to restore the statue to its original position would have been to tear down the monument, the destruction of which is thus implicit in the suggestion. The result of the debate is unrecorded, but since the monument still stands the proposition was presumably rejected.[10] The Soviet sculptor Vera Mukhina (1889-1953; a former student of Kārlis Zāle and designer of the monumental sculpture Worker and Kolkhoz Woman) is sometimes credited with the rescue of the monument, [19] but there is no written evidence to support the fact. According to her son, she took part in a meeting where the fate of the monument was discussed, at which her opinion, as reported by her son, was that the monument was of very high artistic value and that its demolition might hurt the most sacred feelings of the Latvian people.[10] Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 522 pixels Full resolution (847 × 553 pixel, file size: 99 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): List of equestrian sculptures Freedom... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 522 pixels Full resolution (847 × 553 pixel, file size: 99 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): List of equestrian sculptures Freedom... Peter I Emperor and Autocrat of All Russia Peter I (Pyotr Alekseyvich) (9 June 1672–8 February 1725 [30 May 1672–28 January 1725 O.S.1]) ruled Russia from 7 May (27 April O.S.) 1682 until his death. ... is the 272nd day of the year (273rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1949 calendar). ... State motto: Visu zemju proletārieÅ¡i, savienojieties! Official language Latvian, Russian (de facto). ... Peter the Great or Pyotr Alexeyevich Romanov (Russian: Пётр I Алексеевич Pyotr I Alekséyevich) (9 June 1672–8 February 1725 [30 May 1672–28 January 1725 O.S.][1]) ruled Russia from 7 May (27 April O.S.) 1682 until his death, jointly ruling before 1696 with his weak and sickly... A portrait of Vera Mukhina, the work of Russian artist Mikhail Nesterov The Worker and Kolhoz Woman Vera Ignatyevna Mukhina (Russian: ; July 1, 1889 [O.S. June 19] in Riga — 6 October 1953 in Moscow) was a prominent Soviet sculptor. ... Worker and Kolkhoz Woman (Russian: ) is a 24 meter (78 feet) high sculpture made from stainless steel by Vera Mukhina in 1937. ...


The Freedom Monument remained, but its symbolism was reinterpreted according to official propaganda. The three stars were said to stand for the newly created Baltic Soviet Republics - Estonian SSR, Latvian SSR, and Lithuanian SSR - held aloft by Mother Russia and the monument was said to have been erected after World War II as a sign of popular gratitude toward the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin for the liberation of the Baltic States.[3][10] In the summer of 1963, when the issue of demolition was raised again, it was decided that the destruction of a structure of such artistic and historic value, the building of which had been funded by donations of the residents of Latvia, would only cause deep indignation, which in turn would cause tension in society.[10] Over time the propaganda also was toned down and by 1988 the monument was said, with somewhat more accuracy, to have been built to "celebrate the liberation from bondage of the autocracy of the tsar and German barons" [8], although withholding the fact that the Bolshevik Red Army and the Red Latvian Riflemen were also adversaries in the Latvian War of Independence.[2] Constitutional order The order they were mentioned in the Constitution of the USSR; also the order in which the motto appeared in the USSR Coat of Arms. ... State motto: Kõigi maade proletaarlased, ühinege (Translated: Workers of the world, unite!) Official language Estonian, Russian (de facto) Capital Tallinn Chairman of the Supreme Council Arnold Rüütel (at the time of regaining independence) Established In the USSR:  - Since  - Until July 21, 1940 August 6, 1940 August 20, 1991... State motto: Visu zemju proletārieÅ¡i, savienojieties! Official language Latvian, Russian (de facto). ... State motto: Lithuanian: Visų Å¡alių proletarai, vienykitÄ—s! Translation: Workers of the world, unite! Capital Vilnius Official language None. ... The Motherland statue in Volgograd (former Stalingrad). ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... Soviet redirects here. ... Josef Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili (Georgian: , Ioseb Besarionis Dze Jughashvili; Russian: , Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili) (December 18 [O.S. December 6] 1878[2] – March 5, 1953), better known by his adopted name, Joseph Stalin (alternatively transliterated Josef Stalin), was General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Unions Central Committee from... The three Baltic states: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania The Baltic states refer to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. ... Forms of government Part of the Politics series Politics Portal This box:      An autocracy is a form of government in which the political power is held by everybody The term autocrat is derived from the Greek word autokratôr (lit. ... Tsar (Bulgarian, Serbian and Macedonian цар, Russian  , in scientific transliteration respectively car and car ), occasionally spelled Czar or Tzar and sometimes Csar or Zar in English, is a Slavonic term designating certain monarchs. ... The Baltic Germans (German: , Deutschbalten; literally German Balts) were ethnically German inhabitants of the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, which today forms the countries of Estonia and Latvia. ... Bolshevik Party Meeting. ... For other organizations known as the Red Army, see Red Army (disambiguation). ... Monument to the Red Latvian Riflemen in Riga, Latvia Latvian riflemen (Latvian: LatvieÅ¡u strÄ“lnieki, Russian: Латышские стрелки) were military formations assembled starting 1915 in Latvia in order to defend Baltic territories against Germans in World War I. Initially the battalions were formed by volunteers, and from 1916 by conscription among... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...


Despite the Soviet government’s efforts, on June 6, 1987, about 5,000 people rallied to commemorate the victims of Soviet deportations.[2] This event, organized by the human rights group Helsinki-86, was the first time after the Soviet occupation that the flower-laying ceremony took place, as the practice was banned by the Soviet authorities at the time (in fact a running joke during the Soviet era was that the monument was a travel agency, because anyone who placed flowers beside it risked being deported to Siberia.[4][2][20] In response the Soviet government organized a bicycle race at the monument at the time when the ceremony was planned to take place. Helsinki-86 organized another flower-laying ceremony on August 23 in the same year to commemorate the anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, at which the crowd was thinned using jets of water.[21] Yet the independence movement grew in size, amounting in some events to more than half a million participants (about one quarter of Latvia's population) and three years later, on 4 May 1990, the reestablishment of the independence of Latvia was declared.[22] is the 157th day of the year (158th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ... Not by Their Own Will. ... Human rights are rights which some hold to be inalienable and belonging to all humans. ... Helsinki-86 The CTAG Helsinki-86 (Human Rights Defense Group) was founded in July, 1986 in the Latvian port town of Liepaja (formerly known as Libau, in the German language) by three workers: Linards Grantins, Raimonds Bitenieks, and Martins Bariss, respectively. ... is the 235th day of the year (236th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Molotov signs the German-Soviet non-aggression pact. ... French mobile gendarmes doing riot control. ... is the 124th day of the year (125th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ...


Since the re-establishment of independence the monument has become a focal point for a variety of events. One of these - on 16 March, the commemoration day of veterans of the Latvian Legion of the Waffen-SS, who fought the Soviet Union during World War II - has caused controversy.[23] The date was first celebrated by Latvians in exile before being brought to Latvia in 1990 and for a short time (1998-2000) was the official remembrance day.[23][24] March 16 is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Waffen-SS recruitment poster; Volunteer to the Waffen-SS The Waffen-SS was the armed wing of the Schutzstaffel. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000...


In 1998 the event drew the attention of the foreign mass media and in the following year the Russian government condemned the event as a glorification of Nazism.[23] The event evolved into a political conflict between left and right wingers, posing a threat to public safety.[12][25] Anthem Hymn of the Russian Federation Capital (and largest city) Moscow Official languages Russian official throughout nation; thirty others co-official in various regions Government Semi-presidential federal republic  -  President Vladimir Putin  -  Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov Formation  -  Declared June 12, 1990   -  Finalized December 25, 1991  Area  -  Total 17,075,400... National Socialism redirects here. ...


The Latvian government took a number of steps in order to try to bring the situation under control, and in 2006 not only were the events planned by right wing organizations not approved, but the monument was fenced off, according to an announcement by Riga city council, for restoration.[12][26] The monument was indeed restored in 2006, but this statement was later questioned, as politicians named various other reasons for the change of date, the enclosed area was much larger than needed for restoration, and the weather appeared inappropriate for restoration work.[27] Therefore the government was criticized by the Latvian press for being unable to ensure public safety and freedom of speech. The unapproved events took place despite the ban.[26] Coordinates: Founded 1201 Government  - Mayor Jānis Birks Area  - City 307. ...


On November 23, 2006, the law requiring the approval of the authorities for public gatherings was ruled unconstitutional.[28] The government mobilized the police force to guard the neighbourhood of the monument and the day passed relatively peacefully.[29] November 23 is the 327th day of the year (328th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 38 days remaining. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... Inauguration of the Constitutional Assembly of Latvia 1 May 1920 Constitution of Latvia (Latvian: ) is the fundamental law of the Republic of Latvia. ...


The monument has also become involved in the controversy surrounding modern tourism in Latvia after two English tourists were caught urinating in the square nearby, outraging Latvians in the process. [30]


See also

Kārlis Zāle (born 28 October 1888, Mažeikiai, Lithuania; died 19 February 1942, Incukalns, Latvia) was a Latvian sculptor. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Brothers Cemetery or Cemetery of the Brethren (in Latvian Brāļu Kapi) also sometimes referred to in English as the Common Graves or simply as the Military Cemetery, is a military cemetery and national monument in Riga, capital of Latvia. ... Latvian euro coins have not yet been designed. ... Milda is the Lithuanian goddess of love and of freedom. ... Latvian Legion Day is remembrance day celebrated in Latvia on March 16, when soldiers of the Latvian Legions, part of the Waffen SS, are commemorated. ...

References

  1. ^ a b (English) http://www.vecriga.info/, retrieved on 2007-05-30
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o (Latvian) "Latvijas Enciklopēdija" (I sējums) Rīga 2002 SIA "Valērija Belokoņa izdevniecība" ISBN 9984-9482-1-8
  3. ^ a b c d e f g (Latvian) (English) Brīvības Piemineklis, by Jānis Siliņš, Riga : Brīvības Pieminekļa Komitejas Izdevums (The Freedom Monument Committee), 1935, retrieved on 2007-02-07
  4. ^ a b c (English) Statue of Liberty, retrieved: 2007-02-07
  5. ^ a b c (English) New Materials for Conservation of Stone Monuments in Latvia by Inese Sidraba, Centre for Conservation and Restoration of Stone Materials, Institute of Silicate Materials, Riga Technical University
  6. ^ (Latvian) Rīga 1860-1917 Rīga 1978 Zinātne (No ISBN)
  7. ^ (Latvian) Map at rigatourism.com, retrieved on 2007-06-03
  8. ^ a b (Latvian) Enciklopēdija "Rīga" Rīga 1988 Galvenā enciklopēdiju redakcija (No ISBN)
  9. ^ (Latvian) "Laimas" pulkstenim veiks kosmētisko remontu, retrieved on 2007-04-20
  10. ^ a b c d e f (Latvian) Brīvības pieminekli uzspridzināt, Pēteri I vietā… Apollo.lv (Latvijas Avīze) 2006-05-05, retrieved on 2007-02-17
  11. ^ a b c d (English) Environmental Influences on Cultural Heritage of Latvia by G. Mezinskis, L. Krage & M. Dzenis, Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry, Riga Technical University
  12. ^ a b c (Latvian) Brīvības pieminekļa atjaunošanas darbus sāks pirmdien Delfi.lv (Leta) 2006-03-10, retrieved on 2007-05-11
  13. ^ (Latvian) Brīvības pieminekļa atklāšanā skanēs Zigmara Liepiņa kantāte Delfi.lv (BNS) 2001-06-21, retrieved on 2007-02-15
  14. ^ (Latvian) Apzeltī bez garantijas Vietas.lv (Neatkarīga) 2006-04-20, retrieved on 2007-05-11
  15. ^ a b (Latvian) Bruņoto spēku seja Dialogi.lv 2004-11-17, retrieved: 2007-03-09
  16. ^ a b c (Latvian) Brīvības simbola sargs staburags.lv 2004-11-15, retrieved: 2007-03-09
  17. ^ a b c d (Latvian) Dienests kā atbildīgs un interesants darbs bdaugava.lv 2006-11-16, retrieved: 2007-03-09
  18. ^ (Latvian) Godasardze pie Brīvības pieminekļa veiks ceremoniālu patrulēšanu apollo.lv (BBI) 2004-09-20, retrieved 2007-03-09
  19. ^ rigacase.com, retrieved on 2007-06-07
  20. ^ (English)). George Bush: NATO will defend freedom worldwide Regnum News Agency, 2006-11-29, retrieved: 2007-02-07
  21. ^ (Latvian) "Helsinki – 86" rīkotās akcijas 1987. gadā, retrieved: 2007-03-19
  22. ^ (Latvian) Lūzums. No milicijas līdz policijai by Jānis Vahers, Ilona Bērziņa Nordik, 2006 ISBN 9984-792-16-1 [1]
  23. ^ a b c (Latvian) 16. marts Latviešu leģiona vēstures kontekstā by Antonijs Zunda, professor of Latvian University, retrieved on 2006-03-16
  24. ^ (Latvian) Law "On holidays and remembrance days" with amendments, retrieved: 2007-05-10
  25. ^ (Latvian) Provokācija pie Brīvības pieminekļa Archived press coverage regarding 2005-03-16 (Neatkarīgā; Diena; Latvijas Avīze), retrieved on 2007-05-10
  26. ^ a b (Latvian) Latvijas jaunāko laiku vēsturē ierakstīta jauna 16. marta lappuse Archived press coverage regarding 2006-03-16 (Neatkarīgā; Diena; Latvijas Vēstnesis; Latvijas Avīze; Nedēļa), retrieved on 2007-03-17
  27. ^ (Latvian) Brīvības pieminekļa koka mētelītis Poiltika.lv 2006-03-14, retrieved 2007-03-18
  28. ^ (Latvian) Decree of Constitutional court, retrieved on 2007-06-04
  29. ^ (Latvian) Policija Rīgas centrā gatavojas 16.marta pasākumiem Delfi.lv 2007-03-16, retrieved: 2007-03-19
  30. ^ UK tourist urinates in Freedom Monument square baltictimes.com, retrieved on 2007-06-07

Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 150th day of the year (151st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 38th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 38th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... June 3 is the 154th day of the year (155th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... April 20 is the 110th day of the year (111th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... is the 125th day of the year (126th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... February 17 is the 48th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... March 10 is the 69th day of the year (70th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 131st day of the year (132nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 172nd day of the year (173rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... April 20 is the 110th day of the year (111th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 131st day of the year (132nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 17 November is also the name of a Marxist group in Greece, coinciding with the anniversary of the Athens Polytechnic uprising. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... March 9 is the 68th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (69th in leap years). ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... March 9 is the 68th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (69th in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... November 16 is the 320th day of the year (321st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 45 days remaining. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... March 9 is the 68th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (69th in leap years). ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 263rd day of the year (264th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... March 9 is the 68th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (69th in leap years). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... June 7 is the 158th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (159th in leap years), with 207 days remaining. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... November 29 is the 333rd day of the year (334th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 38th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... March 19 is the 78th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (79th in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... March 16 is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... March 16 is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... March 16 is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 76th day of the year (77th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... is the 73rd day of the year (74th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 77th day of the year (78th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... June 4 is the 155th day of the year (156th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... March 16 is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... March 19 is the 78th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (79th in leap years). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... June 7 is the 158th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (159th in leap years), with 207 days remaining. ...

Further reading

  • Māra Caune (2002). Brīvības piemineklis : tautas celts un aprūpēts.. Brīvības pieminekļa atjaunošanas fonds, Riga. ISBN 9984192539. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
Freedom Monument (Riga)

Coordinates: 56.9515° N 24.1133° E Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... The Wikimedia Commons (also called Wikicommons) is a repository of free content images, sound and other multimedia files. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...

  • (Latvian) Latvijas brīvības dižākajam simbolam - jau 60
  • (Latvian) "Mirdzi kā zvaigzne" (1999), a film encouraging donations for the restoration of the Freedom Monument
  • Monument to Liberty: A picture gallery
  • Historical newsreels including "1935. Opening of the Freedom’s Monument in Riga"
  • Virtual tour of Old Riga (includes images and panoramas of the monument and its surroundings)

 
 

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