Given the geopolitical context, Indra municipality has gone through various historic transformations that few others have experienced. That, of course, has made our history and culture more colourful overall. The history of Indra is the story of Latvia’s border region.
Today I visited the memorial which commemorates the 1949 deportations. Even the border guard officers stationed here were persecuted. It is the border that has determined the course of history at this border town.
Indra continues to be Latvia’s border town or border area today. But now it is not only the border of Latvia, it is also the external border of the European Union (EU). Important border for the whole Union, closely watched by others like Portugal, Italy and Denmark. It is in the interest of all EU member states to have ‘clean’ border. It must have enough capacity at the checkpoints and should be protected where crossing is not allowed. That is what the people of Indra and the wider Krāslava region are responsible for. That is why this area, district, and region are the focus of the whole EU.
People living in Indra and Krāslava region have diverse ethnic background. We have Byelorussians, Russians and even Poles here. Such composition reflects the existing history of the region and the district. This is a multireligious society.
We visited the Museum of Happiness earlier. This is a museum for Lutherans. But there are only few Lutherans here. Somebody mentioned that there is only one. But there are Catholics and Orthodox here. We can all learn from Indra and Krāslava region. This area in general is unlike many other places in Europe. It is a place where different nationalities and religions have peacefully coexisted for a long time.
We know that many European countries have gone through ethnic conflicts and religious wars, some of which are very recent. And those are the major denominations that have met here at Indra, not the minor ones. This is rather unique in the context of European history. There are also socio-cultural features that set Indra municipality, this South-Eastern corner of Latvia, apart from others.
I believe it is important to ensure that Latvian media are broadcast across the whole area of the country. I am not even sure what to say about the fact that 30 years after the restoration of independence there still are places in our country where Latvian media are not available. This is no longer acceptable and that is one of the reasons why I am here.
Latvian broadcasters will become available in this area after the installation of the technical mast for the nearby communities.
Media landscape and language are crucial as both contribute to and create our bond with our country. Those living further inland are so distinctly aware of this challenges as border region population. I am happy to see that pupils of the Indra school are learning in Latvian. And that also means that the other languages, minority languages, are strongly preserved in the family setting. However, we are bound by the official language, and our education is delivered in it to allow all of us to easier fit into the Latvian community.
Moreover, Indra and Krāslava region belong to Latgale, which is the Latvian region that has had its separate and unique culture developing through ages. Latgale has its own language, a form of Latvian dialect. I strongly urge you to take care of this dialect and pass it on to the next generations. If your children forget Latgalian, there will be nothing the government can do. I beg you to be proactive on this. Keep nurturing your Latgalian identity, your bond with Latvians and your ethnic groups and, most importantly, our common bond with our home, Latvia.
Thank you for coming out to meet with me today! Now we can have a deeper conversation about all issues that you would like to raise, starting from broadcasting. I am here to find out what you think and take away the valuable findings this discussion will bring.
Let me conclude by assuring you that Indra, Krāslava region and the whole Latgale is Latvia, and Latvia needs you.