On 11 November, Lāčplēsis Day, we pay tribute to our national heroes – courageous Latvian soldiers who believed in the Latvian state so firmly that an overwhelming power was powerless before their living idea. That was a special generation that for the first time had a chance to win and defend freedom for its land with its own hands, passion, faith and love. Today we also pay homage to all the sons and daughters of Latvia who have fallen in various battles until the present day. They fulfilled their mission with a clear vision about a free and independent Latvia.

Each page of Latvia’s history reminds us that we paid a high price for our freedom. A free and proud Latvia should not be taken for granted. Latvia is and will be what we make it.

That is why I call on you to honour those who paid for our freedom with their lives. I call on you to respect and honour our land, state and nation and to protect its freedom because our greatest treasure is a free people over whose heads waves the crimson-white-crimson flag. I call on you to tell your children and grandchildren about our country, its history, the times when the destiny of Latvia hung in the balance, and the people who bravely and selflessly protected our freedom.

As we light the candles tonight, let us remember our history and let us think positive thoughts about our future and about our people in Latvia and throughout the world! Having our own country is the achievement of each one of us individually and of all of us together, and it is only by joint effort that we will able to make Latvia a place where everyone feels a sense of belonging, feels confident and welcome.

God bless Latvia!

Saeima Press Service