Cadets,
Officers,
Dear ladies and gentlemen,
We just witnessed one of the oldest and most beautiful traditions of the Latvian army, the Evening Retreat ceremony when the names of the 14 cadets of the Latvian Military School, who lost their lives during the War of Independence fights near bridges over Daugava River and Vareļi homestead in 1919, were called out and honoured.
It was 100 years ago tonight that your predecessors, the first cadets of the Military School, returned from the battlefield after defeating Bermondtians to resume their studies and continue service to the newly established state of Latvia.
That is why I am deeply honoured and pleased to mark the 100th anniversary of this tradition together with all of you here at the Riga Castle.
Instead of the usual venue – National Defence Academy of Latvia, this time Riga Castle is the venue for tonight’s event, and its rector Valts Āboliņš already spoke about the symbolism, and may I also add, the constitutional meaning of moving the soiree to Riga Castle. This is our way of showing that the Latvian state and nation remembers and honours those who had given their lives for Latvia. It also shows that the Latvian state and nation deeply appreciates your commitment to serve Latvia and put your lives at risk to complete this duty.
100 years ago, during those heavy battles, young cadets lost 14 of their friends, brothers in arms and heroes. But they came out victorious and only several months later foreign invaders were completely expelled from Latvia.
Symbolically, they are among us tonight at the Evening Retreat and Black coffee soiree. Their names have been called out and we have acknowledged their sacrifice for Latvia, for giving us the opportunity to mark the 100 years since first Black coffee soiree.
Each minute of their lives was devoted to Latvia. They put the independence of Latvia and freedom of their nation first even in the last hours of their life. Their lives serve as a reminder that there is no greater value than your own independent state. State that is worth protecting and defending to pass it over from generation to generation till the end of time.
Tonight, you are feasting on the same treats they had that night. Rye bread, marmalade and coffee. Sharing the same feast is a befitting way to show our bond with these heroes and pledge our life to safety of our Fatherland with the same determination they had.
Black coffee soiree is a symbolic thread of faith in Latvia and our sense of duty that unites us with heroes of the War of independence. They have been forever embedded and immortalised in our collective memory. They continue to serve as role models and a source of inspiration to next generations of young officers. Let us honour our heroes tonight and draw strength and faith in Latvia from them.
Congratulations on the 100th Anniversary of Black coffee soiree! Let us pay tribute to cadets who gave their lives for Latvia. Let us show our collective commitment to follow in their footsteps and join forces for stronger and safer Latvia.
Background:
Black coffee soiree is a commemorative event honouring the fallen cadets of the War of Independence organised by National Defence Academy of Latvia (LNDA). For the first time ever, to mark the 100 years of Latvian Military School and Black coffee soirees, this year’s event took place in the Riga Castle.
Cadets went to Vareļi shortly after dawn to commemorate the fallen cadets and remember the battles near Vareļi. Then they took part in the Evening Retreat ceremony in the yard of the Riga Castle at 18:00. Every year since the 90th Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic of Latvia, on 30 November, during the Black coffee soiree, the best LNDA graduate of the previous year receives General Hartmanis’ sword of honour from the hands of a family member of the Latvian army general and bearer of the Lāčplēsis Order of Battle Mārtiņš Hartmanis. This year the Sword of Honour was presented to Lieutenant Edgars Eglītis, Junior Officer, Data Input Unit, 2nd Howitzer Section, 1st Artillery Battery, Artillery Division, Mechanised Infantry Brigade, Land Force.
Cadets and invited guests then gathered in the Festival Hall of the Riga Castle for a feast consisting of ryebread, marmalade and wheat coffee, the only humble meal cadets returning from Vareļi to Riga had hundred years ago. Participants were addressed by Rector of LNDA Valts Āboliņš, President of Latvia Egils Levits, Speaker of the Saeima Ināra Mūrniece, Minister for Defence Artis Pabriks, Chief of the Defence Staff Leonīds Kalniņš and Kriwe-Kriwajto cadet Edgars Dāvids and others.