Loba dīna! [Good afternoon in Latgalian]
Dear delegates of the Latgale Congress, Latgalians and friends of Latgale, ladies and gentlemen,
I
I am truly honoured to join you for the opening of Latgale Congress today and mark 105 years since its inception.
Latgale is especially close to my heart. I have always felt home in Latgale. My wife’s family comes from here and Latgalian identity has always been a part of my family’s life.
II
Today, at the Rēzekne cemetery, I laid flowers at the tomb of an exceptional man who unified Latvia, Francis Trasuns, to pay tribute to his life and service to Latgale and Latvia.
It is beyond doubt that without Francis Trasuns there would be no Latvia. It was here, at the Latgale Congress, that the idea of one Latvian nation was born and Republic of Latvia was proclaimed a year later.
Francis Trasuns’ message of united, free, independent and democratic Latvia in Europe, as part of the West, is encoded in our country’s constitutional foundations.
In April of 1917 local community delegates from Daugavpils, Ludza and Rēzekne counties met at the Latgale Congress to agree on the historic unification of Latgale, Kurzeme and Vidzeme to form a single Latvian nation and state.
Let me reiterate. This first democratic forum was constituted of local community delegates elected by people all over Latgale to represent them in decision-making in a legitimate capacity.
Latgale Congress was the first democratic body to suggest unification of Latvia. Inspired by Francis Trasuns, it declared its national aspirations that led to proclamation of the Republic of Latvia and struggle for our independent state.
Our nation and state would have had a vastly different path if it were not for Francis Trasuns and his friends. Current events in Ukraine are a vivid example of where history could take us if it were not for Latgalians deciding to unite into one nation and state with other Baltic Latvians more than hundred years ago.
III
Every true Latvian and all Latgalians treasure the symbolism of Māra of Latgale Statue on Atbrīvošanas aleja (Liberation Alley) in Rēzekne.
Statue erected on 8 September 1939 is a symbol of independence of unified Latvia.
That is why occupation powers brutally destroyed the statue and tried to wipe out the memory of Māra of Latgale. They failed.
People kept the memory of Māra of Latgale alive during the period of occupation, so as the hopes of bringing the independence back.
Statue was renovated exactly 30 years ago and revealed on 13 August 1992 as a symbol of Latvia’s renewed independence.
Māra of Latgale message throughout times is clear and concise: ‘United for Latvia’.
IV
Dear friends,
Latgale is remarkably diverse. It is home and ‘creative playground’ for people of all kinds of nationalities and religions. Diversity and colours of Latgale are its main asset. And there is only one Latvia that we all share, and that is why we are united for Latvia.
As I have indicated earlier, Latvia is our common home no matter what ethnic background, origin or religion we have.
We have open Latvianness. Latvia is a nation state based on political nation of Latvians. Anyone who accepts Latvian as the only official language, our culture and Latvian worldviews, understanding of the history of our land and state, is welcome here.
V
Māra of Latgale statue urges us to be united for Latvia. United, but not the same. And that is something we should never forget.
Latvianness is not something ‘square’ and dull. It is not something flat. It is deep, diverse and lively.
Latvianness in each historic regions of Latvia has developed differently and has its own distinct and unique features, thus making Latvian nation and state stronger and richer.
This is especially evident in Latgale, which has its own distinct Latvianness, lively Latgalian identity and cross-fertilisation with traditional minorities that has shaped a culture and history like no other. A real gem for our country and nation.
I highly welcome Saeima’s decision to support the Historical Latvian Lands Law that I proposed. Law, which came to force on 1 July 2021, finally brings much needed clarity and rationale.
VI
Historical Latvian Lands Law has already had positive impact and facilitated cultural and other developments crucial for Latgale an Latgalians.
I hope we will finally also find a good solution for usage of Latgalian alongside Latvian in public realm in Latgale. In road signage, place and street names, brands, correspondence and communication, and other settings.
Today I went to Ludza and saw street names in Latvian and Latgalian. That is exactly where Latgale and Latvia gets its, so to speak, special ‘ring to it’.
I believe Latgalian must be more present in Latgale, through semiotics and other attributes of Latgalian culture, which is considered an important element of the whole Latvian culture. Latgalians must become more visible and widely used throughout Latgale and other regions of Latvia.
I have always encouraged Latgalians to speak Latgalian, pass it on to their children and continue to perpetuate the Latgalian culture.
Together we must make sure Latgalian language, nurtured and preserved through centuries, continues to exist and is spoken by next generations.
I hope schools in Latgale teach Latgalian and children are keen to learn it. I appeal to parents to ensure their children learn Latgalian and schools in the region continue to nurture the unique dialect.
Schools are absolutely instrumental in preserving Latgalian. Family is the main environment for passing this regional language down and schools stand right next to it.
VII
It is also important to continuously promote Latgale-oriented research, and there are numerous good initiatives already. Latgale Regional History and Culture Museum and its experts deserve a special credit here. They regularly offer exhibitions cantered around specific themes and publish research papers. Through popular science, they deliver Latgale history education to broader masses here in the region and other parts of Latvia.
I expect, therefore, more support for museum’s efforts to promote understanding of Latgalian identity. I also believe both regional universities, Daugavpils University and Rēzekne Technology Academy, should get bigger and more sizeable support for this priority.
Daugavpils University has Latgalian Research Institute, which is in a way a successor of similar entity created by diaspora. Soviet regime abnegated Latgalian identity and dialect, while Institute continued to work hard to keep Latgale-focused research and development of Latgalian dialect and culture going. I am certain that Latgale and Daugavpils University itself should give more recognition to this institute’s special role and significance at the regional and also the national level, with appropriate funding levels that this infrastructure deserves.
VIII
Dear friends,
Adoption of the Latvian Historical Lands Law does not mean that it has all been settled and state will take care of everything. State can help you, but it will not do your part. You must take charge of your identity because identity is shaped by you and not the state.
State can promote this identity, encourage the use of language as one of its fundamental elements. It can study the identity, the Latgalianness, support its culture, but deep down, identity comes from hearts of those who live here. Looking at you, I see people for whom Latgalianness as part of Latvian nation’s heritage is truly special. Latvian nation expects you to take care, nurture and grow Latgalian culture.
Strong local communities and culture spaces, active civic society and smart local governments are instrumental for Latgale’ s development and growth.
I would like to thank the organisers for this wonderful congress, which gives us platform for debate on various challenges and priorities that are in our focus. Its agenda is diverse and captivating. I encourage you to use this forum to strengthen your roots in Latgale and Latvia. I hope you will make the most of this three-day convention the way Latgalians always do.
God bless Latgale!
God bless Latvia!
